Networking Opportunities at Annual Meeting

The ARHP First Time Attendee Orientation is a one-hour orientation providing tips for maneuvering through the busy conference week and will give new attendees plenty of time to establish camaraderie with each other. The ARHP Networking Forum breakfast (immediately following the First Time Attendee Orientation) includes a personal welcome from the ARHP President, Linda S. Ehrlich-Jones, PhD, RN, complimentary hot breakfast, and 80 minutes of guided networking. Tables are labeled with particular rheumatology disciplines, and participants are welcome to sit at the table that elicits the most interest.

Networking at Noon is the single most popular ARHP networking event. This event provides a forum for informal discussions on designated topics of interest while enjoying lunch. Over 30 topic tables have been established on topics ranging from office manager/practice administrator issues to qualitative research. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their lunch to one of three additional lunchtime networking events on Monday, November 8. Two of the three informal networking events this year are for research coordinators and pediatric health professionals. The third is new this year and is a geographical networking event for Georgia rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals. All three will allow time to meet and exchange ideas and contact information in hopes of building a stronger multidiscipline network.

In addition, two networking opportunities also have been specifically developed for occupational/physical therapists and office nurses. These discipline-specific networking events are scheduled during lunchtime hours and were well received last year.

Finally, everyone is invited to follow the ACR annual meeting on Twitter to easily find ACR news and updates before, during, and after the meeting. Follow the ACR on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/ACRheum, and be sure to use the official conference hashtag for our annual meeting, #ACR2010. (If you’re new to Twitter, see “ACR Announces New Social Networking Opportunities”, p. 16).

The ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting continues to be the premier educational and networking meeting in rheumatology and now offers more networking opportunities than ever. Broaden your annual meeting experience by including networking opportunities on your itinerary. Visit www.rheumatology.org/education for more information.