Editor’s note: The 2023 AAP National Conference & Exhibition will take place from Oct. 20-24 in Washington, D.C. For coverage, visit http://bit.ly/AAPNationalConference2023 and follow @AAPNews on Facebook and at twitter.com/AAPNews.
Whether you’re looking to increase your clinical knowledge, hone your hands-on skills or advocate for your patients, the 2023 National Conference & Exhibition from Oct. 20-24 in Washington, D.C., is the place to be.
If you haven’t made plans yet, you still have time to register to attend in-person or virtually. Register at https://aapexperience.org/conference-registration/, and make hotel reservations at https://aapexperience.org/hotel-info/.
Then, craft your schedule to ensure you make the most of the conference and work in time to explore our nation’s capital.
The conference will feature more than 350 educational opportunities, including 44 livestreamed sessions that will be recorded and available to watch until Jan. 31, 2024. Check out the conference schedule at https://aapexperience.org/schedule/.
In addition, in-person attendees will have access to the world’s largest pediatric exhibit hall, nearly a dozen special events and countless opportunities to connect with colleagues. Following are some of the conference highlights.
Plenary sessions
This year’s keynote address will be given by life strategist Valorie Burton during Saturday’s plenary from 10:30 a.m. to noon EDT. During her talk “Resilient and Ready: How to Thrive Through Challenge and Change,” Burton will discuss how to develop a research-proven thinking style to succeed under pressure, maintain a positive perspective and navigate setbacks in a way that makes you better not bitter.
Other plenary sessions will address timely topics such as navigating chronic conditions with families, prevention of firearm injuries, health equity, the pediatric mental health crisis and dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline.
Special events
A variety of special events will be held throughout the conference for both attendees and their families (see https://aapexperience.org/special-events/).
- The annual Community Cares project from 10-11:30 a.m. EDT Friday, Oct. 20 will benefit Horton’s Kids, a nonprofit that provides resources to help children in under-resourced communities graduate from high school prepared for success in college, career and life. Volunteers will assemble kits that include cleaning supplies and toiletries to help relieve families’ financial burdens.
- The President’s Welcome Reception from 6:30-9:30 p.m. EDT Friday, Oct. 20 will include complimentary food and beverages, live music and a chance to connect with friends and colleagues.
- Kids of all ages are welcome at the AAP Kids’ Camp from 6-9 p.m. EDT Friday, Oct. 20. Enjoy an evening of crafts, coloring, food, music, games and face painting.
- New this year is the Exhibits Reception, which will be held from 5-6 p.m. EDT Saturday, Oct. 21. Mingle with exhibitors and colleagues while enjoying light appetizers.
- Compete against your colleagues at AAP Trivia Night from 6-7:30 p.m. EDT Saturday, Oct. 21. Play with a group of friends, your family or solo.
- Join the Pediatrics On Call podcast team for a live recording from 12:30-1:30 m. EDT Sunday, Oct. 22. Hosts Joanna Parga-Belinkie, M.D., FAAP, and David L. Hill, M.D., FAAP, will be joined by the editors of Pediatrics, who will look back at 75 years of the Academy’s flagship journal.
- Step back into history and explore the achievements of African Americans in sports, music and art at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture from 7-11 p.m. EDT Sunday, Oct. 22. Purchase tickets when registering for the conference or call 800-433-9016, option 3.
- Join a rally at the U.S. Capitol complex from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT Tuesday, Oct. 24 to hear about child health policy issues and demonstrate your passion for policies that put children first.
Washington, D.C., attractions
Following is a sampling of hidden gems in our nation’s capital recommended by AAP staff and members who live in the D.C. area. For more, visit https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/26130/
- Run, hike or bike on the trails in Rock Creek Park, (https://www.nps.gov/rocr/index.htm), including the 3.1-mile Boulder Bridge Loop once frequented by President Teddy Roosevelt.
- Gravelly Point (https://bit.ly/47ObsG6), a park in Arlington, Va., is great place to enjoy a walk or picnic and see planes flying above right before they land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (aka DCA).
- Top of the Gate (https://bit.ly/3QYb5mh), the Watergate Hotel’s rooftop bar, has sweeping views of Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. History buffs shouldn’t miss the chance to visit the site of a scandal that took down a president.
- Dumbarton Oaks (https://www.doaks.org/), the grounds of a Georgetown estate, are a beautiful escape from D.C.’s busy urban surroundings and uniquely Washington.
- If you’re looking for a place to eat, try any of José Andrés’ restaurants, like Jaleo (https://www.jaleo.com/location/washington-dc/), 480 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C., or Oyamel (https://www.oyamel.com/), 401 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C., and anything from Knead Hospitality + Design (https://www.kneadhd.com/).
- Busboys and Poets (https://www.busboysandpoets.com/) is a restaurant (with a lot of vegan/vegetarian options), bar, bookstore and community gathering place with several locations. The original location is at 14th and V (2021 14th St., NW) in Washington, D.C.
- Kramers Books (https://www.kramers.com/) is an independent bookstore with a restaurant inside at 1517 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.
- The Eastern Market neighborhood adjacent to Capitol Hill at 225 Seventh St. SE, hosts a large outdoor market (https://easternmarket-dc.org/) with many food and arts vendors each weekend.
- If you want somewhere quiet to get away, check out the Georgetown Waterfront (https://bit.ly/3YTxUtm). It’s a peaceful riverwalk with great views of the Potomac River, Theodore Roosevelt Island and the Watergate Hotel.
