March 2022 Advisors Corner

It’s Conference Season!

I don’t know about you, but I am STOKED to see everyone at the AAA 2022+HearTECH Expo in St. Louis, Missouri, March 30-April 2, 2022! The AAA annual conference is a magical time filled with new knowledge and old friends. But for many of you, this may be your first experience with an in-person national conference. Well, have no fear my friends, your SAA network is here to help you navigate the conference and make the most of your experience!

First, you should know that the conference is packed with student-geared events. Check out the online conference planner under Student Education for a listing of all the programming taking place just for student! 

Next, make sure to look through the schedule ahead of time to prioritize what you are most excited about! The AAA Annual Conference has a full schedule available online. Let’s review a few of the most commonly anticipated events:

• General Assembly: This event is the conference “kick-off” first this Thursday morning. Attendees gather to hear from Academy leadership, discuss highlights from the upcoming days, and hear from a keynote speaker. While there are certain events taking place on Wednesday, March 30 (such as the SAA Conference, and Academy Research Conference), the General Assembly is considered the formal start of the conference.

• HearTECH Expo: Throughout the conference, the exhibit hall will be open. This is a large interactive hub in the middle of the conference center. In the exhibit hall, you can walk around, visit booths to interact with industry, learn new skills, and network with other professionals!

• Educational Sessions: Did you know there are up to 35 hours of new knowledge waiting to be learned? Educational sessions are generally 1-2 hour sessions with a particular topic scheduled throughout the conference. Some of the most popular sessions include the Grand Rounds (amplification, adult, pediatric, cochlear implant, and vestibular) and Marion Downs Featured Lecture (pediatrics). Make sure to look through the conference planner ahead of time for both general and student-specific events to make the most of these sessions!

• Still feeling a little unsure of what’s to come? That’s okay, we’ve got you covered! Attend the First-Time Attendee Orientation on Wednesday, March 30, 12:00-12:45 pm CT.

I hope to see you in St. Louis!

Sarah Ostlie, AuD, SAA Advisory Committee Chair