I attended the American Public Health Association's (APHA) Annual Meeting and Expo, November 3, 2019, in Philadelphia, PA. APHA's Annual Meeting and Expo is the largest annual gathering of Public Health professionals who connect to learn more about innovative practices occurring across the nation. Using my experience as a guide, I have developed three tips for making the most of a
national conference.
1 . P R E P A R E
Preparing for a national conference can become incredibly overwhelming, fast. Managing a schedule, organizing travel, and designing your presentation, all while maintaining academic
responsibilities, is not an easy feat! Below are a few things I did to help ease the stress:
Review the Conference Agenda:
Before attending the conference, I explored the APHA 2019 Mobile App, which proved to be a
beneficial tool for reviewing the conference agenda and highlighting key sessions and events of
interest. Preparing ahead of time allowed me to keep up with important reminders and effectively
manage my conference schedule.
Search for Travel Deals:
As Graduate students, being financially savvy is a necessary skill. Before booking travel, check if
the conference host offers deals or student discounts you can apply to lower your travel costs.
APHA offered significant flight and hotel discounts for registered members.
I also packed items that were easily compacted and lightweight to avoid additional airport fees.
Designing Your Presentation:
Review presentation guidelines as you develop your presentation aids. UIUC has a list of useful
resources for preparing oral and poster research presentations that I used when creating my poster:
https://undergradresearch.illinois.edu/guideline s.html
APHA also detailed poster guidelines that included tips for creating an accessible poster design.
You can learn more by selecting the following video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=1RwJbhkCA58&feature=youtu.be
2 . P R E S E N T
There is a true science to presenting an effective research poster. Here are a few ways to be your
best self, nail your elevator pitch, and successfully engage with your audience during a poster
presentation:
Conference with Style:
When choosing what to wear for a conference, remember to dress comfortably. Know your audience and
tailor your clothing to what is most appropriate for the setting.
Whenever I present, I select styles that make me feel my personal best as it increases my
confidence in delivering a powerful talk!
Elevator Pitch:
Mastering an elevator pitch of your research is essential for an effective poster presentation. An
elevator pitch allows you to relay who you are, the purpose and importance of your study, and key
findings in a concise manner that will interest your audience.
I practice my 30 second and 3-minute pitch with others until it's perfect. The following link
provides additional tips for creating an elevator pitch: https://uclalibrary.github.io/research-
tips/deconstructing-the-elevator-speech/
Engaging your Audience:
APHA is an interdisciplinary conference that highlights research across several health- related
disciplines. I presented my poster, entitled Evaluating Community Systems Development Efforts to
Improve Early Childhood Outcomes in Illinois, in the Public Health Social Work: Children, Youth,
and Families Section.
In addition to my poster, I also created a supportive handout that provided additional information
about my study. It was an excellent tool for engaging my audience and contextualizing the
interdisciplinary relevance of my research.
3 . P L A N F O R F U N
Conferences present a fantastic opportunity for networking, knowledge sharing, and excitement all
in a single location! Be sure to plan for fun by checking out vendors in the expo hall, exploring
the city, and connecting with others.
Experience the Expo:
The APHA expo is a large exhibition filled with Public Health companies, organizations, schools,
and programs, all sharing the latest developments in research and practice.
At this year's expo, attendees could visit poster presentations, have their professional headshot
taken, and stay up-to-date with innovative initiatives, like rePROs Fight Back, a podcast fighting
for reproductive health, rights, and justice.
Explore the City:
Philadelphia has lots to offer!
During my visit, I was able to enjoy a "piece of Philly" by dining at restaurants loved by the
locals. When traveling to conferences, I always try to find a way to experience unique aspects of
each city to add to my overall cultural enrichment.
Connect with Others:
Conferences are always great for connecting with others. It is important to keep the momentum going
even after the conference ends. Be sure to follow up with a personalized note to keep connections
going strong!
THANK YOU!
My attendance was made possible through the support of IL LEND. I would like to extend my sincere
gratitude and appreciation for this exceptional opportunity to grow as a scholar and LEND Trainee!
Brandie Bentley, Social Work UIUC
