Enhancing the Annual Meeting for All Attendees

The 2025 AABB Annual Meeting—taking place Oct. 25–28 in San Diego—will showcase the latest research and practice-changing resources in the fields of blood and biotherapies. Attendees can look forward to the top science and education in the field, as well as a variety of focused social and networking events with colleagues from the global community.  

Whether you are a veteran Annual Meeting attendee, a first-time participant, a volunteer AABB assessor, a committee member, an AABB Foundation Scholar or a biotherapies professional, this year’s event will offer exciting opportunities to connect with peers from around the world and build relationships that last throughout your career. 

Steven Armstrong, DHA, MT(AMT), SBB(ASCP), FACHE, chair of the Annual Meeting Education Committee (AMEC), spoke with AABB News about this year’s highly anticipated event and his role in shaping the content for the 2025 AABB Annual Meeting.   

As the new chair of the Annual Meeting Education Committee, what are you personally most excited about in this year’s program? 

I am very excited about the program’s diversity of topics for all attendees. As the AABB Annual Meeting continues to grow, it is important that the meeting topics also continue to expand and bring in the newest changes and research. This year’s programs also continue to bring topics that can be useful for every level of expertise. 

What has been the most rewarding part of shaping the educational content for the Annual Meeting?  

The most rewarding part was working with the AMEC. The AMEC is a team of dedicated professional volunteers who give a lot of time to ensure the strongest meeting content is provided.  

Are there any major changes or new directions planned compared to previous years? 

One major change this year was the “outline” section within the program submission page. That was implemented to ensure that the AMEC team members had a fuller understanding of what was going to be presented. Additionally, a task force is underway that will bring changes to enhance the attendee experience this year and produce significant changes in the future. We understand that the Annual Meeting must continue to evolve to ensure every attendee finds the experience rewarding and useful.  

What's new and exciting this year? What can attendees look forward to? 

We continue to work to enhance the meeting experience for both first-time attendees and those who attend frequently. One new item this year is the Navigate & Network program that allows individuals, especially first-time attendees, to be introduced to a small group of returning attendees in advance of the meeting to help provide support, guidance and create a more welcoming in-person experience. 

We are also introducing new interactive roundtable formats that allow for opportunities for enhanced topic discussions. These new opportunities for less structured, open discussions will enable attendees to engage with one another on topics beyond those presented in the educational sessions.  

There will also be expanded new members and volunteer showcase events. It is essential that new members feel welcome and that our volunteers are recognized for their dedication to our profession.  

What are some of the 2025 stand-out highlights?  

The poster presentations continue to be one of my favorite areas to explore. The opportunity to quickly review such diverse areas of research, findings and process improvement topics is invaluable. The Curated Poster Tours allow authors of the Top Posters to briefly present their work and respond to questions from the audience and the expert moderator. Additionally, having the chance to speak with the authors at the “Meet the Authors” event only further enhances the experience.  

Another highlight will be the keynote speaker, Tom Whitehead. Tom will provide a foundation to remind each of us of the importance of our work and the positive impact we have on the lives of others. I know Tom’s message will resonate with all attendees as we listen to the story of his daughter Emily's journey and the vital role blood and biotherapies played in her successful recovery.  

The networking opportunities, both formal and informal, are consistently a standout feature of each meeting. As a field, it is our networking and personal bonds that form the basis for our quest for improved patient care. The opportunity to share ideas, learn and build friendships is not only a highlight of the meeting, but a focus. 

What are you most excited for attendees to experience or take away from this year’s meeting? 

I am excited for attendees to begin experiencing the enhancements we are making to the meeting. Although there will be further changes in subsequent years, attendees will see AABB’s commitment to continuous and meaningful improvements to the Annual Meeting, enhancing both the experience and the educational offerings. A large team of incredible volunteers is working to ensure each meeting is better than the last… starting with this year’s meeting. 

Why should biotherapies professionals attend the meeting?   

The AABB Annual Meeting continues to provide educational, networking and partnership opportunities for the entire expanse of our field. Biotherapies are no different. Within approximately 120 sessions, there will be a good mix of biotherapies, transfusion medicine and related areas. Attendees will see new biotherapies sessions, such as those focused on the evolving landscape of therapies for sickle cell disease, building a translational arm in a cell therapy lab, and can engage in playing along with the new “Cell Therapy Jeopardy!” They can also look forward to returning perennial favorites such as “Cellular Therapies Sizzling Topics” and “Solve It! Scenarios in Cellular Therapies.” And for the first time, AABB will host Cord Blood Connect, the Annual Meeting of the Cord Blood Association, as part of the AABB Annual Meeting. All attendees will have full access to those sessions. Additionally, there will be industry workshops and informal partnership discussions in the Exhibit Hall, which will be incredibly beneficial for biotherapy professionals of all levels.

How will this year's hot topics address critical issues facing the blood and biotherapies community?

Each area of interest covered by AABB will feature numerous educational sessions to provide information on the most cutting-edge topics, as well as some sessions that focus on fundamentals. The goal of AABB is to ensure the meeting is all-inclusive for blood and biotherapy professionals at every stage of their careers. In addition to the strong program developed by the AMEC, late additions to the program include Hot Topics sessions and Research and Progress (RAP) sessions. These emerging topics will include recent research on the use of whole blood and emerging models in biotherapies, and a review of the new platelet guidelines. I encourage everyone to review the meeting’s education schedule and identify the topics that will advance their knowledge and career. There is something for everyone.  

What advice do you have for first-time attendees?  

First-time attendees should take advantage of the Navigate and Network program. This will make the meeting far less intimidating and create an instant sense of community to welcome them to the meeting. Additionally, the new member/first-time attendee lunch is another opportunity to network.  

I would also encourage first-time attendees to speak with other attendees. The Annual Meeting offers a unique opportunity to engage with the most significant contributors to our field. We are a community of sharing ideas and working together, and speaking directly to leaders in our field is a chance to learn and expand your network.  

What can attendees do now to prepare or contribute to the meeting’s success? 

Register early. By registering early, you can ensure that you have access to events that have limited access, such as luncheons. Additionally, the earlier you register, the broader access you will have to your first choice of hotel.   

Be sure to look at the meeting schedule to optimize your educational experience while in San Diego. Additionally, begin to contact your network of friends and colleagues to plan a get-together during the meeting. Combining your educational growth with the enhancement of your meeting experience will help ensure the meeting's success. 

Register for the 2025 AABB Annual Meeting by July 30 to take advantage of early-bird rates.

What are you looking forward to in San Diego?  

San Diego is one of my favorite cities for the Annual Meeting. The atmosphere is fantastic, the weather is beautiful, and the nightlife is sensational. However, outside of the city itself, I am looking forward to welcoming many of my friends and colleagues to experience the first few steps of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the Annual Meeting for all attendees.