AABB2025: Making the Most of the Meeting

By Laurie Munk

Whether this Annual Meeting is your first or your 41st, as an attendee you will want to make the most of the experience. The event is chock-a-block full of activities to advance your knowledge and your career. Seasoned veterans will encourage you to avail yourself of the many opportunities for growth that these meeting days provide. Many use their plane ride to study the online program so nothing is overlooked.

Educational Sessions

Of course, a central focus of the meeting is the educational program. Selected by your professional colleagues who are members of the Annual Meeting Education Committee, sessions vary in length, format and subject matter. Attendance at many sessions can be eligible for continuing education credits. In addition to formal question-and-answer periods at the close of the presentations, attendees are welcome to connect with individual speakers at the session’s end. And remember that after the Annual Meeting, the sessions for each day for which you have registered are available on demand.

Exhibit Hall

The Exhibit Hall opens on Saturday after the General Session, with entertainment and refreshments. Visits to specific vendor booths and the presentations in the Science and Innovation Theater can help attendees stay up to date on the latest technological advances. If you are interested in cellular and biotherapies, the Biotherapies Pavilion is a must-see. Near the exhibits are the abstract posters, where cutting-edge research is presented. Opportunities are provided to meet the presenters and take curated tours.

Networking

Whether the occasion is planned or serendipitous, meeting up with colleagues from throughout the world in a hotel lobby or convention center hallway is a most rewarding experience that should not be overlooked. Attendees can also look forward to scheduled networking events during the Annual Meeting, such as the new-member/first-time attendee lunch and other topic-based events, roundtables and research and progress (rap) sessions.

Special Events

Among the highlights for many attendees are the keynote speaker at the General Session, the AABB Award lectures, the AABB Foundation activities and several receptions. New this year is the career fair, to be held Oct. 26-27.

Allied Perspectives

Each Annual Meeting, the AABB invites presentations by allied professional societies. This year, the meeting is enriched by participation of the Armed Services Blood Program, American Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, Cord Blood Association, International Council for Commonality in Blood Banking Automation and Trauma Hemostasis and Oxygenation Research Network. Several state blood banking organizations are also participating in the AABB Annual Meeting.

Your AABB

Of course, the AABB Annual Meeting is a great place to connect with your professional association and its staff. The bookstore features the resources you need to succeed and AABB Central provides useful information on AABB programs and services, including how to get more out of your membership. Staff members write articles on sessions, which are published on the AABB Newsfeed each day, to help if you have a schedule conflict.

The key to having a great AABB Annual Meeting experience is a three-way alliance:

1. As your association, AABB is proud to offer a wide variety of education, advancement and professional development.
2. As an attendee, you can soak up as much of the learning experiences as you can.
3. When attendees return home, you can share much of your new knowledge with colleagues who did not attend. It’s a win-win-win opportunity!

About the Author

Laurie Munk is AABB’s senior director of publications. She has attended more than 40 AABB Annual Meetings during her career.