Editor’s note: The 2024 AAP National Conference & Exhibition will take place from Sept. 27-Oct. 1 in Orlando, Fla. For more coverage, visit https://bit.ly/AAPNationalConference2024 and follow @AAPNews on Facebook and X.
Attendees of the 2024 AAP National Conference & Exhibition can enjoy educational sessions, networking, after-hours events and all they’d expect from a convention at a major tourist destination like Orlando. They also can give back to the local community, bolster the Academy’s mission and help support marine life around the world.
SeaWorld Orlando, a marine theme park that boasts animal encounters alongside its rollercoasters, will host the Orlando Experience! from 7-11 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29. Conference attendees can enjoy the park’s offerings in addition to behind-the-scenes access to animal rescue areas typically closed to the public. Tickets are $25 per adult and $15 per child and can be purchased when registering for the conference or onsite. Learn more at https://aapexperience.org/special-events/.
A portion of all park proceeds at SeaWorld Orlando goes toward funding marine life rescue, rehabilitation and conservation. SeaWorld — which also has parks in San Diego, Calif., San Antonio, Texas, and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates — has helped more than 40,000 animals in its 60 years of operation, according to park literature. It also supports independent research across the globe and has donated more than $20 million to conservation efforts.
The conference also will host charitable events and provide ways for attendees to make direct donations.
The Academy is partnering with SocialOffset, which steers business travelers’ donations to local charities that align with their core values. AAP members can donate to Conservation Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Zebra Youth (providing services to LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-24) by visiting https://socialoffset.org/event/aap24/.
Attendees also can volunteer their time at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida on Friday, Sept. 27 during one of two AAP Community Cares Projects. Conference attendees, families and children (10 years of age and older) will sort and organize food donations at Second Harvest, which distributes donated food to more than 750 partners such as food pantries, child care centers, soup kitchens, women’s shelters and senior centers. Transportation will depart from the Orange County Convention Center at 12:30 p.m. and return at 4:30 p.m.
The second project will benefit A Gift for Teaching, which provides free school supplies for teachers to give to students. Attendees can join the project from 12:30-2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, in the Orange County Convention Center, Hall C, and help pack school supply kits for children in Orange and Osceola counties.
Participants in the Painting for a Purpose mural project will create art that will be donated to a children’s hospital. The Splashes of Hope booth will host attendees during the President’s Welcome Reception on Friday, Sept. 27 and in the Exhibit Hall on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Attendees also can support the community by visiting minority- and women-owned businesses.
Friends of Children Fund
The Academy’s Friends of Children Fund supports projects that help children and pediatric professionals. This year’s efforts include the Global Pediatric Disaster Preparedness Virtual Course, a Health Equity Learning for Primary-care Pediatrics (HELPP) toolkit and a multimodal response to the youth suicide crisis.
Conference attendees can visit the Friends of Children Fund booth (No. 645) in the AAP Resource Center in the Exhibit Hall to learn more and donate.
They also can participate in the AAP Friends of Children Fund 5K Fun Run & Walk, which starts at 7 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, at SeaWorld Orlando. Shuttle buses will be available at 6:30 a.m. Registration is $25 per adult and $10 per child (12 and under) and includes a commemorative T-shirt. Purchase run tickets when you register, or visit conference registration in Hall C of the Orange County Convention Center to participate.
For more information, go to https://aapexperience.org/make-a-difference/.
