One of the best aspects of the AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo—and arguably one that attendees look forward to most—is all the opportunities, formal and informal, to meet clinical lab professionals from across the globe and catch up with colleagues in a convivial atmosphere. This year’s event will be no different even if the meeting is all virtual. 2020AACC offers creative and fun ways to connect to, refresh with, and savor the clinical laboratory community in this extraordinary time.
AACC Artery Happy Hour
The virtual get togethers start with AACC Artery Happy Hour on Monday, December 14, from 6 – 7 p.m. U.S. Central Time. This members-only event will give participants the chance to see old friends and make new ones as they pass through four breakout rooms featuring light discussion topics to keep the conversation flowing.
This free event requires advance registration. To do so, AACC members should simply respond to the invitation posted in the AACC Artery Annual Scientific Meeting Forum.
Individuals who have registered for the 2020 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo can access other special events, by logging onto the AACC virtual meeting platform, using the badge/registration ID information they received in an email from [email protected]. Then select Special Events from the navigation bar at the upper right hand corner of the page.
Network Night
Following the Artery Happy Hour, Tuesday evening December 15 continues the camaraderie with Network Night from 6 – 7 p.m. U.S. Central Time. The main room of this Zoom event features DJ Sway spinning the best of pop, rock, hip hop, R&B, and international music from all decades. Attendees are welcome to stay here savoring the sounds and even requesting their favorite tunes, or breakout to other rooms. In these rooms they’ll be able to:
- Mingle with AACC leaders;
- Test their trivia skills with the Annual Meeting Organizing Committee (AMOC);
- Reflect on lessons learned about SARS-CoV-2 testing; and
- Connect with Certified Point-of-Care Testing Professionals.
Talent Show and Ugly Sweater Contest
With 2 nights of networking under their belts attendees will be prepped for the ultimate event, Wednesday evening’s AACC Talent Show and Ugly Sweater Contest, from 6 – 7 p.m. U.S. Central Time.
Former work colleagues and longstanding friends AACC President David Grenache, PhD and Nominating Committee member Joely Straseski, PhD, are hosting the talent show, which features a quartet of luminaries, including AACC Past President Carmen Wiley, PhD, President-Elect Stephen Master, MD, PhD, Finance Committee and AMOC member James Faix, MD, and highly regarded educator and mentor, Sheldon Campbell, MD, PhD.
After this fabulous display of talents, the evening will move on to the Ugly Sweater Contest. Grenache and Straseski will guide the audience in deciding who has come decked out with the most memorable sweater.
Coffee Breaks, Stretches, Journey Maps
Each day Monday – Thursday attendees also will be able to share a virtual coffee break with four AACC members who filmed themselves making their perfect cup of coffee. Daily 5-minute stretching and meditation videos will give all participants a collective chance to refresh and reset before rejoining the program.
Journey maps will guide participants through each day’s events so they’ll be able to take full advantage of the rich scientific and social content at the 2020 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo.