Note from the ACDIS Editor: A first time conference attendee’s guide

by Linnea Archibald

Please note you will receive the conference welcome letter soon and the 2017 Conference App will be available shortly. Thank you for your patience.

This is my first ACDIS conference. Since my first day on the job back in January, everyone at the office told me I was in for a crazy ride. Over the months, I’ve sorted through 10 years of conference pictures, attended meetings, and spoken to several conference presenters. I think I know what I’m in for next week. My plane leaves Sunday and I can’t wait to get there!

For us newbies, the conference can be on the overwhelming side. Luckily, though, the ACDIS team has 10 years of experience and a number of tips to help us prepare for learning and lots of fun. Here are 10 tips from the team.

1. Registration: After landing and getting situated, head down to the registration desk (Grand Ballroom Foyer—level one of the conference center). Registration opens at 2 p.m. and stays open till 6 p.m., so don’t wait until the last minute. With the agenda and conference app in hand you can spend some time planning your itinerary. Pick a couple sessions for each time block in case your first choice fills up before you arrive.
2. Reception: ACDIS has big plans for its 10^th anniversary reception, 5-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 9. Come with your party hat on! There will be exciting, special entertainment throughout the exhibit hall. And make sure you head to the stage around 5:45 p.m., to meet ACDIS Director Brian Murphy and the advisory board.
3. Conference app: As of a couple years ago, ACDIS went green. This means there aren’t any printed workbooks provided at the conference. Instead, everything is available on the ACDIS Conference App. The login information was sent to attendees with the conference welcome letter. We encourage attendees to share information they learn at the conference on the app, upload pictures with your conference buddies, and connect with other attendees.
4. Day 1 – ACDIS Pride Day: The first day of the conference has always been dedicated to the CDI profession, so wear that purple and orange with pride! This will help you identify other attendees outside the conference. If you see someone in ACDIS colors, say hello, introduce yourself, and ask about their conference experience. Members of the ACDIS team will be handing out special recognition ribbons to those with the most “CDI Spirit!”
5. Day 2 – Local Chapter Day: There are more than 40 ACDIS local chapters nationwide. Attendees are encouraged to wear apparel representing your state sports team or your state as a whole. This way, people from the same state can find each other easily and connect. Many state chapters also hold after-hours events.  Reach out to your chapter leaders and see if they have anything planned.
6. Pen-swap: Before heading to the conference, make a stop at your hospital’s gift shop and pick up some pens and pads of paper to exchange at the conference. Include a motivational quote or a friendly note and your business card in the bundle! Then, drop off the whole bundle at the registration desk by noon on Day 1. The ACDIS staff will give you a ticket and you can come back the next day to pick up a pack of your own. 
7. Business cards: While we’re on the subject, remember to bring a stack of business cards. The conference provides a wonderful venue for networking and connecting with CDI specialists you’d otherwise never know. You never know what conversation could provide the next-step tip for your program, so you’ll want to have business cards available to exchange.
8. Bring a sweater: Session room temperatures fluctuate significantly. A chilly room at the beginning of a session may end up overheated with 300 in it. Make sure to dress in layers to prepare for any eventuality.
9. Tune into ACDIS’ social media: Throughout the conference, the ACDIS team (and myself in particular) will be adding updates, tidbits, fun quotes, and tips to our various social media platforms. If you’re not following us already, make sure to do so before the conference. We have a lot of fun ideas planned. You won’t want to miss the action!

• Follow ACDIS on Twitter
• Follow ACDIS Director Brian Murphy on Twitter
• Follow ACDIS Associate Editorial Director Melissa Varnavas on Twitter
• Follow CCDS Coordinator Penny Richards on Twitter
• Follow ACDIS Editor Linnea Archibald on Twitter
• Follow ACDIS on Facebook
• Follow ACDIS on Instagram
• Follow ACDIS on LinkedIn

10. Stop by the ACDIS booth: Finally, while the sessions are all wonderful and the main reason for attending this year’s conference, make sure to save some time during the break to visit our exhibitors, sponsors, and to say hello to the ACDIS team. We spend all year looking forward to seeing you in person, so please pop by and say ‘hi!’

Editor’s note: Archibald is the ACDIS editor with responsibilities ranging from social media to crafting articles for its many publications. If you have an article idea or topic you’d like ACDIS to cover in future, email her at larchibald@acdis.org.