AOCA 2025 Annual Convention & Conclave

Join us from September 6-9 in Savannah, Georgia

First-Time Attendee Guide

Welcome to your first AOCA Annual Convention! Here are some tips to help you to find your committed community, engage in quality education, and learn ways to improve throughout your career.

Review the Agenda

Review the meeting agenda beforehand (or even on the plane) to familiarize yourself with the sessions, speakers, and events. Identify your "must-attend" sessions and read up on speakers and topics of interest. 

Students, Residents, and Fellows, be sure to attend the Emerging Professionals Program Track on Saturday, September 6 at 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM. Other sessions to attend include Abstracts Session on Saturday, September 6 from 1:00-3:00 PM, and the Poster Abstracts on Saturday, September 6 from 5:30-7:00 PM.

Dress Code

Conference attire for the educational sessions is business casual. Session rooms can get chilly, so dress in layers. Attire for the Conclave Ceremony is business professional. Attire for the President's Reception is beach/resort casual.

What to Bring

• Business Cards - You will have the opportunity to meet with current and future colleagues, so be prepared to hand out business cards and be remembered. A good place to keep business cards is in the plastic sleeve behind your name badge.
  
• Notebook and Pen - Be sure to have these on hand so you can jot down notes.
• Laptop - There will be WiFi reception in the meeting rooms and hotel lobbies, so taking notes on a laptop is also an option. Remember to bring your chargers as well!
• Reusable Water Bottle - Stay hydrated by bringing your own water bottle to the meeting. There will be water stations available to refill your bottle throughout the day.

Registration Desk

If you have any questions while you're at the meeting, visit the Registration Desk which will be located near the general session room. This is where you can connect with AOCA Staff who can answer questions about the sessions, point you in the right direction for the meeting room, help you get your CME credits, and much more.

Networking Tips

Reach out to your colleagues, peers, or friends beforehand to determine if they’ll be attending the Annual Convention. Connect with these people at the meeting, and they may even introduce you to their acquaintances and help widen your circle. Take a look at attendees' name badges at the meeting. We'll be using a sticker system to indicate registration type to help you find fellow students, residents, or members.

Be sure to attend these planned social events at the meeting:

• President's Reception - Saturday, September 6 at 5:30-7:00 PM
• Timothy D. Ernst Memorial Walk/Run - Sunday, September 7 at 6:30-7:30 AM
• Conclave Ceremony & Celebration - Sunday, September 7 at 6:30-9:30 PM
• Book Club Discussion - Tuesday, September 9 at 7:00-8:00 AM

As you wait for a session to start or stand in line for coffee, strike up a conversation with the person in front of you. Say something as simple as “Are you enjoying the conference?” or “What session did you just attend?” These can start quick conversations, or they may open up longer, more meaningful ones.

If approaching strangers is too daunting, try asking a question at the end of a session or tagging the meeting on social media. This way you get your face and name out in the community, and that can be helpful in the future.

After the meeting, find the people you met on social media. If you connect in the days immediately following the conference, they are more likely to remember you and accept your invitation to connect.

If you have any questions, please contact office@aocaonline.org.