Note from the Director of Programming: See you in Chicago!

by Rebecca Hendren

The annual ACDIS conference extravaganza is finally upon us and the excitement in the ACDIS office has reached a fever pitch. For all those who are unable to join us, we will hold the entire CDI community in our hearts and please know that the discussions had and ideas generated will be used for the betterment of the entire community over the next 12 months.

For those who can join us in Chicago, we can’t wait to see you! Whether you’ll be coming for the ACDIS Symposium: Outpatient CDI or the physician advisor preconference—both held May 7-8—or for the main conference—held May 8-11—or even are staying for the entire thing, we look forward to meeting you and learning from you and with you.

Is this your first ACDIS?

If it’s your first time at the ACDIS national conference and you want to meet other first timers, join us at 5:00 p.m. during the welcome reception on Monday, May 8, for some informal chatting and networking. Look for the table-top sign close to the ACDIS booth to find ACDIS instructors and staff and make new friends.

Show your ACDIS spirit!

Tuesday, May 9—the first full day of the conference—is ACDIS spirit day, a.k.a. purple and orange day! Don your festive ACDIS finery and delight in the purple and orange hues that will fill the conference halls.

Eat, Meet, Grow!

Also on Tuesday, May 9, we’re experimenting with hosted discussions during lunch. If you are interested in meeting people in any of the below areas, grab your lunch and look for the tables with signs to join ACDIS instructors and staff in conversation dedicated to the following topics:

• Pediatric CDI
• Outpatient CDI
• New and emerging leaders
• CDI educators and second-level reviewers

Meet your neighbors!

Wednesday, May 10 is the day to show your state pride and to meet your neighbors during lunch. ACDIS local chapters will be decorating tables to celebrate their states/regions and encourage neighbors to come meet them. If your state doesn’t have an ACDIS local chapter, make your own sign and try and encourage others in that area to find you! Check out the list in today’s edition of CDI Strategies for the chapters with plans to decorate.

Learn about ACDIS committees!

During lunch on Wednesday, May 10 we’ll have a table in the lunchroom devoted to ACDIS volunteer opportunities with our boards and committees. If you’ve ever wanted to get more involved with ACDIS but weren’t sure what was involved or how to step up, stop by the table and meet volunteers from a variety of ACDIS committees.

We wish you all safe travels to Chicago and look forward to an exciting week. If you have any questions or concerns during the conference, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of our amazing staff members, who are all happy to help you in any way we can.

See you next week!

Editor’s note: Hendren is the director of programming for ACDIS, which is based in Middleton, Massachusetts. Contact her at rhendren@acdis.org.