Whether you are a seasoned clinical research professional or a newbie to all things trial-related, getting the most out of your first time attending a major industry-focused conference like ACRP 2026 means more than having an “elevator speech” about your job role prepared and taking snapshots of the most interesting session slides.
To be sure, taking advantage of the many networking opportunities available to you at ACRP’s upcoming gathering in Orlando will reap rewards. So too will perusing the schedule of regular and Signature Series sessions to spot the topics which will be of most value to you personally and professionally upon your return home.
But wait…there’s more. Consider the following memories and words of advice from some of those who have already had the experience you are about to have.
“Attending the ACRP Conference is incredibly valuable for your career in clinical research,” says Charmaine Garcia, MD, CCRC, the Immediate-Past President of the ACRP Central Florida Chapter and a Clinical Research Supervisor in Oncology with the AdventHealth Clinical Research Unit. “The conference can feel overwhelming at first, but with the right strategy you can get up-to-date education, impactful networking, and the best career opportunities out of it.”
Garcia (with some additional input from the conference organizers) offers these tips for navigating and enjoying the conference:
Plan Your Schedule Ahead of Time—Look at the conference agenda in advance and pick three to five sessions per day related to your role and at least one career development session. Good session types for first-timers include those on regulatory updates, technology in clinical trials, and career growth. Many sessions on similar topics fall into pre-arranged tracks for you to follow, if you choose.
Use the ACRP 2026 Conference App—This is the main tool attendees have for building schedules, receiving real-time notifications about sessions and events, connecting with other attendees during the conference, accessing presentation slides (when available), and keeping track of contact hours.
Introduce Yourself to Speakers—Speakers who are invited to the ACRP Conference are most often experienced professionals. After their session, feel free to ask them questions, thank them for the talk, and connect on LinkedIn.
Network (Even if it Feels Awkward)—Networking with speakers and your fellow attendees is one of the biggest benefits of the conference. Try starting conversations with “Which session did you like most today?” or “What type of studies do you work on?” Exchange LinkedIn profiles instead of business cards, if possible.
Evening receptions are great for making new contacts because people are more relaxed. Everywhere you go throughout the event, you will meet people from other organizations, learn about different therapeutic areas, and hear real-world challenges and solutions. You can even fill out an RSVP form for the First-Time Attendee Mixer being held 4–5 p.m. on Friday, April 24, before the open-to-all 5–7 p.m. Opening Night Celebration if you’re arriving that day to attend a Pre-Conference Workshop or just to get yourself situated the day before the sessions get going.
Spend Time in the Expo Hall—Yet more networking opportunities will be on tap in ACRP 2026’s energetic Expo Hall. This is where companies showcase the tools and services they have tailored for use by clinical researchers. Talk to vendors about eSource, electronic data capture, e-Consent, site tools—whatever you need most for when you head back to the office. Learn about industry trends and meet recruiters. You don’t need to visit every booth—just focus on the vendors who are relevant to your work.
Explore Orlando—Yes, the conference is a professional event, but it would be a shame if you couldn’t enjoy yourself outside for a bit while you’re in an environment as attractive as Orlando. Most ACRP participants for this event will stay on or near International Drive, so ICON Park and Pointe Orlando are the easiest places to meet colleagues for networking dinners. Icon Park is an entertainment complex with restaurants, bars, and attractions, plus you can ride The Orlando Eye Ferris Wheel for amazing nighttime views of Orlando. Pointe Orlando is an open-air complex with restaurants, a comedy club, a movie theater, and bars. Other nightlife opportunities on International Drive include live shows and dancing at Mango’s Tropical Cafe Orlando, piano bar fun at Howl at the Moon Orlando, and ice-themed cocktails at ICEBAR Orlando.
Further, if you have free evenings or an extra day, Orlando is famous for its world-renowned theme parks, including the Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort. Even a half-day visit can be fun. If you don’t want to hit ticketed attractions, Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk (after 6 p.m.) are free to enter and are great places to watch live music and enjoy themed restaurants and bars. And of course, you can always take a quick shopping break at the Orlando International Premium Outlets—considered one of the top outlets in the U.S. and among the best shopping destinations globally.
Lastly, Don’t Forget to Follow-Up After the Conference—Within a week after ACRP 2026: Connect with people you met in Orlando on LinkedIn to turn your initial short meetings into long-term connections.
Meanwhile, here are some other thoughts about being an ACRP Conference first-timer that now-veterans of the event had to share:
“My favorite memory about attending my first ACRP Conference [in 2023] is realizing just how resilient and united our clinical research community truly is. We were still emerging from the pandemic. Research had changed dramatically with remote monitoring, decentralized trials, and new workflows, and many of us were still finding our footing in a transformed landscape. Attending that conference and representing our chapter felt especially meaningful. I remember walking into the event energized and motivated not just to learn, but to build connections that would help strengthen our local research community. Beyond the content, what stood out most was the sense of unity. The conversations, shared experiences, and new relationships reminded me that our profession is incredibly resilient. After everything our industry had navigated, the conference felt like a powerful moment of renewal and forward momentum. ACRP didn’t just host a conference, it created a space that embodied hope, collaboration, and the strength of our profession during a time of transformation.”
—Rachana Kanvinde, MS, SFC, CCRP, President of the ACRP Atlanta Area Chapter
“When I attended my first ACRP meeting, I felt like I had really made it. I don’t know why that was my initial feeling, but the energy was high, the expertise was beyond compare, and every corner I turned, there was someone who really cared about the clinical research profession. Back at the site where I worked, I was surrounded by every healthcare profession and sometimes felt alone in my clinical research bubble. The ACRP meeting allowed me the opportunity to connect and find my place in this field.”
—Jessica Fritter, DHSc, MACPR, ACRP-CP, FACRP, Associate Clinical Professor and Director, Master of Clinical Research and Certificate Programs, The Ohio State University College of Nursing
“Attending for the first time and alone, I found the conference easy to navigate. It was well organized. Everyone was very welcoming. It was not intimidating even as a first-time attendee.”
—Rachel Grant, MSW, ACRP-CP, Research Coordinator at Saint Louis University
Edited by Gary Cramer
