Volume 38 Number 2 | April 2024
Melonie Falcon, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, CMQ/OE, CQIA (ASQ), ASCLS Joint Annual Meeting Steering Committee Chair
Heather Herrington, DVM, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS Joint Annual Meeting Host Liaison, ASCLS Ascending Professional Director
The 2024 Joint Annual Meeting (JAM), hosted by ASCLS and our partner organizations, the Association of Genetic Technologists (AGT) and Society of American Federal Medical Laboratory Scientists (SAFMLS), will be held July 8-12 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Registration opened in March, and both in-person and virtual attendance options are available. We look forward to again presenting integrative educational programs, abstracts/posters, and industry engagement platforms.
The JAM Steering Committee has focused on providing our attendees with an innovative, educational experience. Monday, July 8, will feature ASCLS governance sessions, including the Board of Directors meeting. The ASCLS House of Delegates will be held on Friday, July 12. Educational sessions will begin on July 9. We will have numerous opportunities to reconnect with friends and meet new peers during several networking events in Pittsburgh.
While Pittsburgh has a history of being known as the Steel City, it has evolved quite a bit over the last four decades and has many attractions for a wide range of interests. Per The New York Times, it’s the “only city with an entrance.” For those driving in from the airport, make sure you’re paying attention when you emerge from the Fort Pitt Tunnel, as you’ll be greeted with a stunning view of downtown.
The Wyndham Grand Hotel, where all the conference activities will take place, is located next to Point State Park, which is where the three rivers in Pittsburgh converge. If you have a few minutes between educational sessions, the fountain in the park is beautiful and couldn’t be much closer. For history buffs, the Fort Pitt Museum is within easy walking distance of the conference hotel, and the Heinz History Center, a mile away, has some excellent exhibits.
If you’re a fan of museums, Pittsburgh has you covered, too. Between the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, The Andy Warhol Museum, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the Mattress Factory, and many more, there’s plenty to keep you busy when you aren’t earning P.A.C.E.® credit. For those into architecture, Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob, both by Frank Lloyd Wright, are about an hour’s drive from downtown. You can also tour the Carrie Blast Furnaces, which provides a unique window into the city’s industrial past and guarantees some incredible photo opportunities. There are also countless walking tours of the city.
As far as food goes, there is no shortage of amazing restaurants, both within walking distance of the conference and a short Uber ride away. The craft brewery scene is booming, and new places are opening all the time. The JAM Host Committee will have an up-to-date list of suggestions when you arrive.
Also, don’t forget that Pittsburgh is nestled between multiple rivers, which provide even more options for entertainment. For instance, Cruisin’ Tikis will let you and a few friends rent a “tiki boat” to cruise down one of the rivers. There’s also Venture Outdoors, if you want to rent a kayak and propel yourself down the river (although you’ll want to head upstream first).
For those able to arrive a little early, Pittsburgh has hosted Anthrocon for several years, which is an annual “furry” convention dedicated to fans of fictional, anthropomorphic animal characters in art and literature. On July 6, they’ll have their (free) Fursuit Parade, which features some truly amazing costumes you’re unlikely to see anywhere else.
Are you a baseball fan? Located just 0.6 miles from the Wyndham, PNC Park is home to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Even if you aren’t a baseball fan, the view of the river from the stadium is amazing. JAM attendees can take advantage of a discounted rate to attend the game on Monday, July 8, as the Pirates host the New York Mets. The game starts at 12:35 pm EDT, and tickets are $39, which includes a $10 credit to use on food, beverages, or merchandise.
Following the Closing Keynote on July 11, you can take advantage of the free Pittsburgh Black Music Festival, which starts that evening at Point State Park, just across from the conference hotel.
The JAM Host Committee will have more information available for attendees over the next couple of months pointing out things to do before, during, and after the conference. Between the conference itself and everything Pittsburgh has to offer, attendees are going to be busy. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Melonie Falcon is CEO for Laboratory Management Services, which encompasses Delta Pathology Group, Omega Diagnostics, and Pathology Resource Network in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
Heather Herrington works for the Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute performing stem cell therapy and therapeutic apheresis in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Photo credit: VisitPittsburgh
Visit www.labjam.org for more details, and register before May 1 to receive the discounted Early Bird Registration rate.
