Cultivating Connections at the 2025 AABB Annual Meeting

AABB is excited to offer a plethora of connection opportunities to attendees at the 2025 AABB Annual Meeting, taking place Oct. 25-28 in San Diego. These focused networking and social events are designed to foster collaboration and promote the exchange of ideas among blood and biotherapies professionals in a safe, inclusive environment.

Here’s a sneak peek of several new and returning networking events this year.

• New Member and First-Time Attendee Lunch. An orientation lunch for those new to AABB or attending the Annual Meeting for the first time. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet AABB leaders and learn how to take full advantage of the meeting and member benefits.
• Immunohematology Reference Laboratory (IRL) Luncheon. A networking event for those working in or with IRLs.

• Hospital-Based Blood Collectors Roundtable: A peer discussion forum for professionals working in hospital-based blood collection. Participants will address current challenges and share solutions during this interactive, expert-led session.
• AABB Volunteer Celebration: A social event recognizing the contributions of AABB volunteers. Open to all attendees, the event will offer networking opportunities and highlight pathways to become more involved in the Association’s volunteer community.
• Physician Leadership Roundtable: A facilitated discussion for physician leaders from hospitals and blood centers. The session, led by AABB Chief Medical Officer Claudia Cohn, MD, PhD, will focus on current issues affecting clinical and operational leadership. Pre-registration is required.
• Biotherapies Networking Reception: This event will be a welcoming reception for biotherapies professionals attending the AABB Annual Meeting allowing attendees to network with colleagues in the field and recognize the contributions of the many AABB members working to advance biotherapies throughout the world.
• Biotherapies Sizzling Topics Luncheon: One of AABB’s most popular events for biotherapies professionals and members brings together leaders in the field for presentations and discussions on hot topics led by experts. This is an interactive session where attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their experiences with panel experts.
• CBBS Connects @ AABB: The California Blood Bank Society (CBBS) — supporting California blood banks and transfusion medicine for 75 years — invites you to connect with colleagues and friends at the AABB Annual Meeting.
• CABP Coffee Morning: In celebration of AABB’s Certified Advanced Biotherapies Professional (CABP) Credentialing Program, current and future CABPs are invited to a coffee morning networking event. Hear from recent CABPs on how they prepared for the exam, discover the latest resources available for preparation, connect with fellow professionals and more.
• Innovations Across the Cell Therapy Workflow: As demand for cellular starting material grows, new approaches are emerging to improve access, efficiency, and quality in cell collection. This open-mic chat will feature innovators sharing novel strategies that bring collection closer to the patient. Join Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies, WellSky, and Accellix to hear what’s next, and share your own ideas with the panel.
• Opening Night Reception: Get to know more about the exhibitors and their innovative products and services while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of great food and music in the Exhibit Hall.
  

More information on these limited-capacity events is available through the AABB Annual Meeting web page.