The ACS will host the 17th Annual Surgical Simulation Summit from Thursday, March 14 to Friday, March 15, 2024, at the Swissôtel in downtown Chicago, Illinois. We listened closely to your suggestions and ideas and will be introducing some changes for 2024. Thank you for helping us identify new ways to deliver a meaningful meeting experience for you all.
First, we heard that the length of the meeting was too long, and that by Saturday, you would like to be back home. Additionally, an overabundance of content was being offered, which led to long days in the conference center and not enough down-time. You would like to hear about topics you care about most from people who are relevant to your interests, whether you are a surgical simulation center director, administrator, researcher, or work in another capacity.
Finally, committee members would like dedicated time to meet to discuss projects and to get much-needed face time.
Here is what we are planning for 2024:
No Programming on Saturday
The meeting will begin at 7:00 am on Thursday, March 14 and will conclude by 5:00 pm on Friday, March 15. We hope that by ending the meeting by 5:00 pm on Friday, you will be able to catch a flight home or enjoy an evening in Chicago before heading home on Saturday morning.
Committee Meetings
We are planning to have dedicated time for committees to meet on Wednesday, March 13. The meetings will tentatively start late-afternoon/ early evening to accommodate morning and afternoon arrivals in Chicago. Please speak with your committee liaison about specifics.
Sessions that Matter Most to You Professionally
A keynote address, scientific paper presentations, posters, and hands-on workshops will be featured in 2024. New, more interactive, and practical sessions are also being planned for the meeting that should be relevant to all our attendees, regardless of your professional role.
The Management, Operations, Research and Education (MORE) Track will be offered concurrently to the paper sessions, allowing you to choose whichever session is more relevant to your interests. Finally, we will be bringing back the collaborative session with the American Society of Anesthesiologists. The session will be reimagined to fit into our shorter schedule.
More Networking and an Emphasis on Wellness
Longer, more frequent breaks will be worked into the schedule. Each day will start with an optional Zumba/Yoga class for those attendees who like to fit in a workout.
A networking reception will again be hosted on Thursday evening to give you an opportunity to connect with colleagues, new and old. Other optional social events will be offered throughout the meeting to foster those important relationships within our community.
There will be more news to come on the 2024 Summit, including an exciting lineup of speakers and sessions, so stay tuned and save this date on your calendars! Registration will open in December, and our website will continue to be updated as meeting details are announced.
Want to beat the rush and book your hotel room early? Our room block is open and ready for your reservation!
For more information about the Summit, contact Cathy Sormalis, Senior Manager, Accredited Education Institutes Program, at csormalis@facs.org or at 312-202-5535.
