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 LinkedIn, Facebook and X.
No, Taylor Swift won’t be performing at the AAP National Conference & Exhibition. But her concerts are providing inspiration for an activity that aims to create a sense of community and encourage pediatricians and their families to show their true colors.
Attendees will have an opportunity to make friendship bracelets and trade them like Swifties do at Taylor’s shows. A bracelet-making station will be set up from noon to 3 p.m. Friday through Sunday in the Connections Corner in Hall C of the convention center.
The suggested donation to make a bracelet is $5, which attendees can earmark for the AAP Friends of Children Fund or one of the four Florida charities selected in partnership with Social Offset.
A similar activity was held at the annual Leadership Conference in July and was a big hit.
“We saw how much everyone enjoyed making bracelets during the annual Leadership Conference, and I have seen how much my own children enjoy making them, so I’m thrilled we can bring this fun event to this year’s National Conference,” said Elizabeth Murray, D.O., FAAP, chair of the National Conference Planning Group. “My current favorite is #WBFK. That’s 'What’s Best For Kids.'”
Anne B. Francis, M.D., FAAP, said the Leadership Conference Planning Group’s goals for this year’s meeting included encouraging advocacy and improving interactions among the attendees.
“Because of the popularity of Taylor Swift and our teen relatives’ commitment to making Swiftie bracelets for the concerts, the planning group thought this might be a great way to wear our advocacy messages and have fun together,” said Dr. Francis, who also is a member of the National Conference Planning Group. “It was such an overwhelming success that we decided to extend the time available for the activity by an hour.”
To see all of the ways you can make a difference at the National Conference, visit https://aapexperience.org/make-a-difference/.
