Sure, annual conference gatherings like the one coming your way this April in the form of ACRP 2025 in New Orleans, La., are trustworthy providers of a multitude of continuing education opportunities through sessions, workshops, and keynote presentations, but let’s not forget the value they bring in terms of basic human contact in these times of remote and hybrid work. First-time attendees to an ACRP conference may be surprised by how much the networking moments available in the meeting rooms, corridors, exhibit hall, and special event spaces will add to their overall conference experience in both the short and long term—so some veterans of attending such functions advise newcomers to be prepared.
“Be proactive,” says Chad Eriksen, MS, CCRC, FACRP, Founder and CEO of Iron Horse Research and a long-time leader with the ACRP Gulf States Chapter, based in New Orleans. “Don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to fellow attendees. A simple ‘hello’ can lead to meaningful conversations and long-lasting professional relationships.”
Eriksen also urges attendees who want to make a good impression to have a brief “elevator pitch” introduction ready to deliver about who they are, what they do, and what they are looking to achieve at the conference. “This will help you optimize your interactions,” he says.
Thinking ahead like this may be particularly important these days, with “return-to-office” efforts remaining highly unpopular if not stalling out in large measure five years on from the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many seasoned employees simultaneously find themselves fighting to retain the increased independence and improved work/life balance they enjoy from work-at-home and hybrid office arrangements and yet craving more face-to-face contact with their professional colleagues.
Meanwhile, plenty of newer entrants to the workforce have never experienced what used to be traditional, centralized office arrangements and find themselves struggling to form productive relationships with their remote managers, their fellow, though geographically scattered, employees in similar roles, and would-be peers and colleagues in other organizations.
Eriksen notes that some tools to help those at the conference who find themselves in such situations include the ACRP social media channels and ACRP 2025 conference app. “Download and use the conference app to its fullest potential,” he says. “Also, follow the conference hashtag and engage with other attendees on platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram. This can help you identify and connect with key individuals before, during, and after the event. Make sure to carry business cards or have a digital way to share your contact information. Follow up with new connections after the conference to maintain and grow your network.”
As a first-time attendee of an ACRP conference in 2024, the biggest takeaway for Darius (Dante) Fullenwinder, a psychology and pre-medical student at Clemson University who participated in the Early Talent Training Program, a collaborative effort of Merck and ACRP, was the importance of connecting with as many people as possible. “The wealth of knowledge at the event is immense, and engaging with fellow attendees, speakers, and exhibitors offers invaluable opportunities to learn and grow,” he says.
Additionally, Fullenwinder highly recommends fully engaging in sessions and workshops at the conference. “As someone still building my understanding of clinical research, I found the sessions to be incredibly informative,” he notes. “Even if you’re new to the field, the insights you gain can be referenced later as you continue your journey in clinical research. The information presented is practical, and often serves as a great foundation for deeper learning down the road.”
Even long-time members who have never attended the ACRP conference before may wish to think ahead about how best to benefit from being at one for the first time. “I’ve been a member of ACRP since around 2007, and attending the conference has been on my bucket list for years, but work and life commitments have prevented me from going in the past,” says Lori College, BS, CCRC, a Clinical Research Analyst with the Duke Office of Clinical Research at Duke University School of Medicine, who was randomly selected from among qualified members for an ACRP-sponsored free trip to the New Orleans event. “I’m excited that this year is finally my year.”
To make the most of her first ACRP annual meeting, College plans to attend a variety of sessions that align with her interests and professional goals, such as those scheduled in Content Journeys on regulatory and compliance issues and on clinical trial design, among other curated topics. “Additionally, I plan to network with fellow attendees and participate in social events to build lasting connections,” she says. “I am certain I will come home energized about my profession and its future.”
The annual meeting presents a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders, learn about the latest advancements in clinical research, and engage in meaningful discussions, College notes. “The vibrant setting of New Orleans adds an extra layer of excitement to the event,” she says.
Speaking of which, when your brain is full of enough learning for the day, Eriksen shares these recommendations for excursions into all that New Orleans has to offer its visitors:
- The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (April 24 to May 4) overlaps ACRP 2025 (April 24 to 27). Although the festival takes place during the day, be on the lookout for pop-up shows to happen at night, as this is a regular occurrence during Jazz Fest weekends.
- Explore the French Quarter to experience the heart of New Orleans with its historic buildings and architecture, lively bars, iconic jazz music, and world-renowned food. Don’t miss trying local delicacies such as beignets (ben-yei) at Café du Monde, gumbo, jambalaya, and po’boys.
- Take a ride on a streetcar down historic St. Charles Ave. If you have time, stop at Audubon Park for a nice walk before hopping back on the streetcar.
- Check out the Vue Orleans observation deck, which includes an amazing 360-degree panoramic view of the city.
For more recommendations based on insiders’ knowledge of the area, visit the conference website’s “Experience the Best of New Orleans” page, brought to you by the ACRP Gulf States Chapter.
Edited by Gary Cramer
