The meeting has more than 30 networking opportunities, and the ACR is continuing to create other ways for us to connect while in Boston. For many of us, the education at the meeting is a catalyst for conversations, which lead to collaborations. I often wonder how many research projects, new ACR ideas and burgeoning careers all started with conversations in the hallways and networking sessions of the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting.
Engage
This meeting doesn’t just happen. The good work of the AMPC is not only supported but driven by the participation of those who submit abstracts, fellows in training who participate in the Knowledge Bowl, those who submit cases to the Thieves Market and everyone else who actively engages in the meeting.
I encourage each of you to join me in being an active participant while at the meeting this year. It could be as simple as tweeting with the hashtag #ACR14 or as involved as submitting an abstract. As an aside, abstract submission is open until noon Eastern on June 24, so it isn’t too late to be a part of this year’s program. For those who will not be submitting abstracts, will you cheer on fellows in training from your institution in the Knowledge Bowl? Will you engage with exhibitors in the Exhibit Hall? Will you join me at the opening session and other networking events? Will you share your favorite moments from the meeting on social media?
See
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention our wonderful host city of Boston. Whether it’s Fenway Park, Quincy Market, a visit to Harvard or some clam chowder and a pint of Samuel Adams, Boston is a welcoming and abundant city. For me, no trip to Boston is complete without a visit to the North End for pasta and cannoli or to Legal Sea Foods for any of its abundance. Jeanne loves to visit her old childhood neighborhood in Natick, Mass. I know we can steal a few hours from our schedule of meetings and social events to charge our souls in these places.
These are just a few ways I plan to spend my time at this year’s meeting. Are you ready to start planning ways you’ll do the same? Inside this edition of The Rheumatologist is registration information. Also, visit www.ACRannualmeeting.org for the most up-to-date meeting information. Finally, check out my abbreviated version of this column on the Annual Meeting blog, and comment to let me and other colleagues know how you plan to learn, connect, engage and see at this year’s meeting.
