URGENT CALL TO ACTION

for these twice a year large events there is a lot at stake. We base our planning on historical attendance so that we can assure adequate accommodations for our members. Unfortunately, when we do not hit our targets for attendance the organization as a whole suffers. We are contracted for a large hotel block at our conference venue. When we miss our targets, the organization still has to pay for attrition as a result of low attendance. As it stands currently, the college will be dealt a devastating blow that will impact our activities going forward into the future unless you come through and attend the meeting.

ACOEP has always prided itself on being a close-knit family. I am calling on that family to come home and register for our meeting and attend the event! We are currently offering discounts on registration and various opportunities for single day attendance rates if you cannot attend the entire meeting. See the offers on page 21 to register for the in-person meeting, but more importantly reserve your hotel room at the host hotel. The hotel block has closed but your reservation can still be counted toward our contracted rooms. Now more than ever we need your support in order to keep our college a thriving and viable organization. Your presence and participation go a long way to making this happen. If you have been hesitating about coming or on the fence for whatever reason, I ask that you commit to the event and help us make it the best meeting ever!

Should you have questions or need additional information, please contact the office at info@acoep.org or click the links below for more information. I look forward to seeing you soon! –•–

They say that if the groundhog pokes his head out on Feb 2nd and sees his shadow, that there will be 6 more weeks of winter. I don’t know if there are any other rodent traditions that portend the change from Summer to Fall, but I do know that in 2023, at least in some ways, the Fall will come early. Due to a contractual obligation that existed pre-COVID and a difficult convergence of dates, The ACOEP will hold its 2023 “Fall” Scientific Seminar in Washington, DC at the Washington Hilton Hotel August 11-15th (Summer time!!).

While this is certainly a change of pace in terms of timing, and certainly brings other conflicts into play (last-minute summer vacations, kids starting school-related extra-curriculars) it offers us the opportunity to visit the Capital city at a slower time of year. There are still many outdoor events ongoing, such as outdoor concerts and movies, and sporting events from Major League Baseball to Major League Soccer. This of course is in addition to the many museums and monuments to tour. My personal favorite is a night tour of the monuments ending at the Iwo Jima Memorial from which you can look back toward the National Mall and see the Lincoln Memorial, Washington