Eyeworld

APRIL 2023 | EYEWORLD | 29 these events where surgeons can have candid conversations with complete strangers who often can turn into lifelong professional col- leagues and friends. ASCRS had already initiated programs such as Mentor Meetups and Breakfast with the Experts and continues to bolster our Young Eye Surgeon (YES) programming. This year we have added Exhibit Hall tours for first-time attendees, and building technical skills is an annual rite in the ASCRS Skills Transfer Labs. We will have expanded activity in the ASCRS Tap Room as it serves as a networking hub for everyone. Attendees will find a morn- ing cup of coffee waiting for them every day beginning at 8:00 a.m., and ASCRS will host a Kentucky Derby viewing party at 2:45 p.m. on Saturday in the Tap Room. For our staff at ASCRS, the ASCRS Founda- tion, and ASOA, the Annual Meeting is some- thing we work a full year preparing for. A huge part of what we deliver comes from the tireless volunteer work of our leadership and contrib- utors. The desire to share information, ideas, and experiences with colleagues is the ultimate secret of ASCRS. As we celebrate the 49th year of its founding, we acknowledge the many pio- neers and leaders who have made this Society so special. Have a great meeting! weekend or adjacent to a weekend was im- portant for all types of conferences, but among medical audiences, this attribute is "Very" or "Extremely Important." This is a good example of a trend that existed prior to the pandemic and has since accelerated. ASCRS has reacted to the trend this year by ending our scientific program on Monday rather than Tuesday. While there will be a slight decline in the total number of CME hours available, our focus is on high-quality scientific content that is peer-reviewed, relevant, and in a manageable number of days. Among professionals such as physicians, the Freeman survey showed top professional priorities are to discover new products and con- nect with clients and colleagues. There is clear alignment between the advantages an in-person event offers and attendees' professional priori- ties. These priorities have remained consistent over the past year, and all are directly enabled by an onsite event. Other priorities include building additional technical competencies and connecting with potential mentors. This is the secret sauce of the in-person meeting. Like-minded professionals in the same field facing the same challenges are much more likely to get tangible benefit from a meeting such as the ASCRS Annual Meeting. It is at Given the opportunity to attend the same event in person or virtually (and regardless of other factors such as funding or calendar availability), you would: vast majority prefer in-person 70% 4% 26% Usually prefer and select the in-person event My preference depends on the specific event Usually prefer and select the virtual event Base: Total Respondents (n=4,419) Question: Given the opportunity to attend the same event in-person or virtually, (and regardless of other factors such as funding or calendar availability), you would: (Select One) How important are the following factors in your decision to participate in an in-person event? Base: Those who attend in-person events (n=4,296) Question: How important are the following factors in your decision to participate in an in-person event? 22% 25% 32% 33% Event offers personal wellness activities Event actively encourages and supports partner/spouse participation or activities Event takes place over weekend or adjacent to a weekend Destination offers personal vacation/relaxation opportunities What factors are important in deciding to attend in-person? B-Leisure anyone? What are the most significant professional challenges you continue to experience in your work since the beginning of the pandemic? are experiencing a connection Base: Total Respondents (n=4,419) Question: What are the most significant professional challenges you continue to experience in your work since the beginning of the pandemic?. 6% 17% 24% 30% 39% 40% 44% 56% Other Reduced benefits from my employer due to budget cuts such as training, professional… Lack of, or reduced, connection between personal and professional interests Reduced access to resources necessary to perform my role Feeling of burnout and fatigue – it is harder to meet all of my priorities Time management and effectively balancing my time between work and personal needs Loss of connection to peers and colleagues Fewer opportunities to meet with colleagues, clients and peers in person What are your most significant professional challenges? When it comes to in-person events, rate the importance of the following elements in your onsite experience. Source (all): Freeman Attendees want to discover, connect and be inspired Base: Those who attend in-person events (n=4,296) Question When it comes to in-person events, rate the importance of the following elements in your on-site experience. 36% 45% 53% 65% 69% 80% 82% Entry level training/technical competency Determining how to get to the next level in my career Expanding my business/clientele Advanced education/training Building my network Inspiration and excitement about my field of work Discovering new products/solutions What are the most important elements to your onsite experience?

• Blank Page
• Blank Page (1)