The APHA Annual Meeting is a very big conference-- 15,000+ attendees-- with a large number of programs, meetings, workshops, and vendors. For example, at a previous Annual Meeting, there were 73 sessions during the Monday 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. slot (not counting business meetings). Each session might have had 2-5 presenters. It can be an overwhelming experience!
Take a few minutes to get an idea of what the programs and sessions look like by visiting the APHA annual program site.
Whoa! The conference program looks enormous. How am I ever going to find good sessions?
Spend time reviewing the online program in advance and make notes of sessions that interest you.
Pick the subject area/s you’re interested in and plan on attending as many of the scientific sessions as you can.
Go to at least one session out of your comfort zone to gain an understanding of that domain and broaden your understanding of public health.
Attend the business meetings of the Section, SPIG (Special Interest Group) or Caucus you indicated interest in on your APHA membership. Your attendance at the business meetings makes you and your interest in public health known to the leadership of that Section, SPIG or Caucus. You may also ask for advice at the Stipend Recipients Sunday morning meeting.
Fortunately, there are some constants which can help you plan:
The majority of the Learning Institutes are held Saturday and Sunday morning.
Section business meetings are often held Sunday morning and afternoon or early Monday/Tuesday mornings.
The APHA new member meeting is Sunday morning at 9:30.
This is a MANDATORY session for all Sewell Stipend Recipients
Opening session is at 12:00 Sunday.
It is expected that every recipient will attend the opening session.
The program lists not only sessions, but the time each speaker is scheduled to present.
Be sure to register for the conference in time to receive the Early Bird rates.
Join APHA when you register for the conference if you are not a member yet (renew if you are). The Early Bird rate doesn't do you much good if you are not a member!
Be sure you prepare by visiting the current APHA Annual Meeting site to get an overview of the conference and how the days are organized.
Figure out what and who you want to see and hear. Download the APHA app and begin marking sessions/papers/posters you'd like to go to.
Does your institution compile a list of their presenters? If not, offer to do it for them so they can put it up in their booth (if they have one) or use it for other marketing purposes. And you be sure to pack it along (or save on your phone) so you have it when you get to APHA.
Pack plenty of business cards. You'll need them at the conference.
Consider your volunteer or presentation requirement and review strategies for keeping track of events via the individual summary form.
Go see some of your institution's presenters (faculty AND students if you are an academic librarian) and be sure to introduce yourself. You may have the opportunity to meet the other speakers as well. If it is an area of interest to you (maybe you have a grad student or researcher that would benefit from networking), ask for a card (explain why) or give the other speaker(s) a business card.
Bring snacks. Pack a water bottle so you can easily refill at water fountains.
Scout out nearby restaurants where you can grab a quick sandwich or salad to take with you to the conference. It has been our experience that many of the conference venues have limited food options and/or long lines at peak times.
Read the bulletin boards around the conference for announcements of meetings, events etc that are not in the program.
If you take the opportunity, you can meet quite a few people at APHA. Be sure to have your “elevator speech” ready as to why you are there, hope to learn etc.
Pace yourself in the Expo Hall. Bring an extra bag or two to bring things home in other than your suitcase. If possible, drop things off in your hotel room before attending events later in the day.
When you get back, follow up with everyone within 3 weeks.
As you schedule the sessions you would like to attend, pick 2-3 sessions or talks that interest you. This way, if you find the first session not quite what you had hoped, you have something else you can go to.
Be spontaneous. There are multiple concurrent sessions going on; if you aren't happy in the one you are in, cross the hall and go to that one! Maybe pick something out of your comfort zone.