If you are attending the ADAA Annual Conference for the first time, welcome. With over 1,200 expected attendees and over 150 exciting sessions, events and networking opportunities planned, it could be easy to feel overwhelmed. But we’re here to help combat that feeling with some helpful tips to make the most of your time! And don’t forget: we were all new attendees at some point, including me!
Pace yourself
Don’t feel like you have to see and do it all; you can’t Look at the available sessions in each time block and prioritize those sessions you want to participate in live, either for potential audience participation or Q&A opportunity. ADAA will offer a limited number of sessions in recorded format following the conference. Think about which sessions you’ll be able to watch virtually so you have free time during the live event.
It’s not just a conference. It’s your community
The ADAA Annual Conference offers a variety of exciting networking opportunities so you can catch up with your friends and meet new colleagues. Plan to stay Saturday night and attend the awards ceremony to celebrate your colleagues’ achievements. Throughout the conference, many ADAA special interest groups host events that allow you to network with colleagues who share similar specialties or interests. Specifically for first-time attendees, plan to attend the first-time breakfast to meet and learn a little more about ADAA. And, for students and early-career professionals, be sure to join the Student and Early-Career Professional Luncheon for the opportunity to connect with experienced clinicians and researchers, as well as other newcomers.
Don’t be shy. Introduce yourself to other attendees, ADAA leaders, and ADAA staff; They are eager to meet you. Be sure to check out the ribbon board where you can add new attendee or new member ribbons to your badge. These make it easy to start a conversation!
Another great way to get involved and connect with colleagues is to tweet about your experiences!
Support the next generation of mental health professionals
Poster sessions often feature students and early career professionals sharing and discussing their research and ideas for clinical innovation. Planning ahead to stay at the poster session and interact with these younger professionals is a great way to support the future of the mental health community. Input and guidance from more senior colleagues helps to further develop these ideas and research opportunities.
Remember self-care
Remember to drink plenty of water, rest when you need to, and make sure you recharge. Take a coffee break and chat with other attendees or take a quick walk outside to get some fresh air.
ENJOY!
Make the most of your time! If you have any questions or encounter any problems, please ask any ADAA staff member for help! They want to get to know you and they want to help ensure you have a great experience.
And, if you’re not yet an ADAA member, let us tell you about all the benefits you’ll have access to when you join. We want you to stay involved with ADAA long after your first conference ends. Make ADAA your new professional home!
