For those flying in from all over the world to attend the fast approaching American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Annual Scientific Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo, we’ll see you there. Perhaps some of you have attended the event before, or maybe you’re brand new to the AACC meeting scene – either way, we’re here to help with a quick refresher on what to know about the meeting beforehand, how to prepare, and what to expect while you’re onsite.
Without further ado, let’s dive in.
What is the Annual AACC Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo?
For anyone part of the global laboratory and clinical medicine community, this meeting is for you. Each year, global leaders spanning chemistry, molecular diagnostics, spectrometry, translational medicine, laboratory management, and more, come together to discuss the latest and greatest science and technology that can enable us to do our jobs better and help more people/animals around the world.
This year’s meeting will have more than 900 exhibitors (and counting), featuring over 200 new products that can help scientists and industry leaders do their job better and more efficiently.
Beyond the expo, attendees will have the chance to hear from presenters about the newest field updates and research. The meeting will feature more than 250 lectures, scientific sessions, roundtable discussions, poster presentations, and more. Given that this year’s meeting is in California, we give you full permission to use the state motto without abandon (a.k.a. “Eureka!”) when listening to these thought provoking presentations.
Where and when is the AACC Meeting Held?
While we gave a nod to this above, let’s get into specifics. This year’s AACC meeting and expo will be held from July 23-27, 2023 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.
Do I Need to Register for the AACC Meeting Ahead of Time?
While the technical answer to this question is no, as you can register for the event onsite if you need to, we highly recommend registering online ahead of time so you can take advantage of discounts and ensure you’re good to go for your stay in California. You can register online through July 27, 2023 (the first day of the meeting), and the earlier you do so, the better the price.
Is There a Virtual Conference Offering for Those That Can’t Come In Person?
Yes! AACC is offering a digital experience with select highlights from the conference – this registration type is called” Digital Pass Select,” and registration for this can be completed through August 11, 2023 at 12 pm ET. This means that if you aren’t available during the conference timeframe, you can catch up via the Digital Pass Select after the fact. Win-win. For all registration types and fees, please visit the AACC website.
What is the AACC Meeting Format?
When you arrive in Anaheim on Sunday, July 23, you’ll first be able to attend a mixer where you’ll likely recognize some familiar industry faces and get to know some new people. From there, we’re off to the races for a full four days of presentations, exhibition booth visits, and networking opportunities.
Throughout the conference, you’ll be able to attend presentations that fall under six categories – a.k.a. “pathways” – enabling you to attend presentations that are most relevant to you and your work. These six pathways include:
- Cardiac Markers, Lipids, and Lipoproteins
- Digital Diagnostics and Lab Informatics
- Laboratory Management and Leadership
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Point-of-Care and Direct-to-Consumer Testing
- Population Health and Equity
As for exhibitors, since there will be nearly 1,000 companies in attendance, map out your networking route to ensure you’re visiting every business you need to during the meeting. If you need a visual representation of where everyone will be within the conference hall, the AACC website has a handy map of the exhibition floor that you can search and explore within.
For the full conference program, be sure to check out the AACC website and keep an eye on updates as more poster presentations are announced over the coming weeks.
Is There a Theme for the AACC Meeting?
This year’s theme is called “We Are ONE” and links back to the fact that together we can achieve amazing things. This is a great mindset to keep in mind as you plan your stay in California, gear up for networking opportunities, and meet with new partners.
What Should I Do Ahead of the AACC Meeting to Prepare?
Regardless of if you’re attending the conference to learn from your peers, or if you’re exhibiting/presenting, every conference requires some sort of preparation ahead of time to ensure you’re ready to go once you step inside the convention center doors. Since AACC attracts an international audience, we recommend doing your homework so you can carve out the necessary time to connect with everyone you need to meet with – especially your friends from overseas.
Here are three tips we have to help you feel as prepared as possible leading into this year’s AACC meeting.
3 Tips to Prepare for the AACC Meeting & Expo
1. Review the Poster Presentation & Exhibitor Lists
Whether you plan to network with companies and find the right products for your business, or attend poster presentation after presentation, knowing who will be there and what they’re offering will allow you to register for the sessions you want to attend and/or set up meetings with the right vendors.
For those attending the expo, check out this helpful guide on the AACC website that will help you recognize who will be there, what they’re showcasing, and where to locate them within the convention center.
For others who plan to have a scientific presentation-heavy week, we recommend doing some research on the poster abstracts. Personally, we’re so excited to hear about the latest and great innovations happening in the diagnostic space. What are you most excited to learn about?
2. Keep an Eye on Social Media for Relevant Updates
As with many conferences these days, organizers do a great job of keeping AACC social channels up to date with information that will help you prior to and during the conference. We recommend keeping a close eye on Twitter and Facebook, or joining the LinkedIn group for any updates or announcements related to the conference. Additionally, the conference organizers offer a sign up for anyone who wants to receive updates directly to their email.
Once you’re at the conference, if you want to discuss learnings or meet with others who are in attendance, we encourage you to pay attention to and use the conference hashtag (#2023AACC).
3. Make a Networking Plan
The best part about attending a conference is seeing industry partners from around the world that you don’t get the chance to see every day. Ditch the Zoom meeting and make a networking plan so you can meet with your partners in person, catch up, and discuss everything going on with your businesses. Curious about who is attending? Reach out via email to personally let your friends/partners know you’ll be there ahead of time and search the exhibitor list to see what companies will be present.
If you want to meet with the Puritan team, we encourage you to reach out ahead of time or come see us at our booth! Which leads us to…
What is Puritan Planning to Share at This Year’s AACC Meeting?
For anyone wanting to connect with us at AACC, the Puritan team will be eagerly awaiting your visit at booth #4115. For anyone that stops by, you’ll have a chance to check out the latest and greatest going on at Puritan, as well as grab some fun giveaways. We’ll be sharing information on our products, including:
- Flock Swabs
- Collection and Transport Kits
- Dry Transport Systems
- Liquid Amies
- PurSafe Molecular Preservative
- Universal Transport Media
- Environmental Sampling Kits (ESKs)
- And much more…
If you’re interested in chatting with us or have questions prior to your arrival in Anaheim, please get in touch. We are happy to answer your questions or set up a meeting with you to discuss your product needs onsite.
Beyond our booth, we’re also planning to attend relevant poster presentations throughout the conference, including:
- July 24, 2023:
- 12:30-1:30 pm - Roundtable Discussion: Collect It Yourself! Putting Innovations and Advances in Self-Collection Devices into Practice (52204)
- July 26, 2023:
- 10:30 am -12:00 pm - Scientific Session: Molecular Respiratory Testing Considerations in a Post-Pandemic Era (34103)
- July 27, 2023:
- 10:30 am -12:00 pm - Scientific Session: Testing the Population Towards Eliminating Inequities in STIs: A Case-Based Toolkit (35106)
For the full conference program, visit the AACC website or search the online presentation guide.
Will We See You at the AACC Meeting This Year?
The Puritan team is so excited to see our partners and colleagues in California this July. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to connect prior to arrival.
Happy travels!
