Attending the ASHA convention is equal parts exhilarating and overwhelming. Thousands of SLPs, hundreds of sessions, an exhibit hall that seems to stretch for miles — it's a lot to take in. After attending ASHA '15 and reflecting on what worked (and what didn't), here are seven practical tips to help you get the most out of your convention experience.
1 Plan Your Sessions in Advance
Don't wait until you're standing in the convention center with the program book. Review the schedule ahead of time, mark the sessions that align with your interests and caseload, and build a rough itinerary. Leave some breathing room — you'll want flexibility for spontaneous conversations and unexpected discoveries.
2 Pack Comfortable Shoes
This sounds trivial, but convention centers are enormous. You'll log miles walking between sessions, the exhibit hall, and meeting spots. Your feet will thank you for prioritizing comfort over style.
3 Bring a Portable Charger
Between tweeting session highlights, snapping photos of presentation slides, and coordinating meetups with colleagues, your phone battery will drain fast. A portable power bank is a small investment that saves real frustration.
4 Network Intentionally
The ASHA convention is one of the best opportunities all year to connect with fellow SLPs. Introduce yourself to presenters after sessions, strike up conversations in line for coffee, and don't be shy about exchanging contact information. Some of the most valuable takeaways happen in the hallways, not the session rooms.
5 Visit the Exhibit Hall Strategically
The exhibit hall can be sensory overload. Scan the exhibitor list beforehand and identify the booths you most want to visit. Give yourself dedicated time to browse — but also know when to step away and recharge.
6 Take Notes You'll Actually Use
It's easy to fill pages with notes that never get looked at again. Try summarizing each session into two or three actionable takeaways you can implement when you're back at work. Jot down resource names, book titles, and therapy ideas in a format you'll actually reference later.
7 Give Yourself Permission to Rest
You don't have to attend every single session. It's okay to skip a time slot, grab a quiet coffee, or head back to your room early. A well-rested SLP absorbs more and enjoys the experience far more than one running on fumes.
Whether ASHA '16 was your first convention or your tenth, a little preparation goes a long way. Here's to learning, connecting, and coming home inspired.