Below are some practical tips to help plan your 1st ARVO meeting and maximize productivity:
- Keep all your receipts (e-ticket, poster printing, accommodation, transportation, meals etc.) for reimbursement later. I usually take a Ziploc with me to store receipts during ARVO. Helps prevent losing receipts. Have some cash at hand.
- Pack effectively. Take a combination of casuals (cotton/linen works best because it gets hot outside), a sweater/jumper/cardigan (it gets cold inside the convention centre), a formal outfit (evening parties), bathing suit (if you plan to swim), flip flops, comfortable walking shoes, hat/shades, a water bottle (you can refill water rather than buying water each time), business cards & a sturdy satchel to carry all your ARVO stationery +/- laptop.
- Build your itinerary in advance. Check all the sessions you want to attend, look at the map to see where they are held, and print it out. Carry with you to the meeting.
- Bundle your poster with that of a friend’s, if possible, to save additional cost of checking-in a second item (if you have already checked in a bag).
- Try to stay at a hotel that includes complimentary breakfast. Snacks at the convention centre can get expensive.
- Study the shuttle routes for the listed ARVO hotels. They can take you pretty much to all the needed places.
- Poster sessions are always on the first floor (ground floor UK). Platform presentations, SIGs and workshops are spread across all levels of the convention centre, so once again, plan and review in advance.
- Network effectively by carrying business cards (if available), contacting ex-colleagues/mentors/prospective employers prior to the meeting and asking questions after presentations/talking to the presenter later.
- For members-in-training: do attend Pizza/Breakfast with the Experts, the Clinician-Scientist Forum and the WEAVR luncheon. Superb events for trainees.
- Have some fun by attending socials and any invitations your PI/friends may extend.
Enjoy!