The JAM

1. Networking. The ASCLS-AGT 2019 Joint Annual Meeting, June 23-27 in Charlotte, North Carolina, will offer exceptional opportunities to build relationships with medical laboratory professionals from across the nation. From bench techs to specialists, students to educators, and industry partners to researchers, you will have the opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, and socialize with people who truly understand what you do and why you are so passionate about your profession. These are the people you can count on for advice and assistance throughout your career. Hear from ASCLS members about the valuable networking opportunities for attendees.

2. Education. The conference program offers a number of sessions that will help you grow in the profession. Here is just a sampling.

The Value of Professionalism in Laboratory Medicine, June 24, 2:30 pm
What do we do about rude behaviors and bad attitudes in the laboratory? Is professionalism just misunderstood or do we not do enough to set the expectations? Employers and educators will discuss collaborations to develop training and continuing education programs for new and seasoned laboratory professionals.

As the Lab Turns – A Day in the Life of the Soap Opera That Can Be Lab Leadership (Parts 1 and 2), June 24, 3:45 pm
An interactive case study based discussion around the sometimes messy people side of the lab. We will walk through a number of different scenarios that lab leaders often face and offer different tools to help navigate these difficult conversations and situations.

The Top Five Skills of Effective Leaders, June 25, 10:30 am
Leadership is a term often used in everyday conversation, but there is no common or accepted definition. What we do know is that leadership has ... (1) nothing to do with titles, (2) nothing to do with seniority or one's position in the hierarchy of a company, and (3) nothing to do with personal attributes. Come learn the process, behaviors, and skills of effective leaders.

Career Symposium Panel, June 26, 10:30 am
This session includes three presentations on topics related to career advancement and professional development: Advancing the Laboratory Professions through Distance Learning; Turning Education Into Employment; and DIY Mentoring.

DCLS: One Year in Practice Review, June 26, 2:00 pm
With a full year of Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) in professional practice, commonly asked questions are: What has it been like? What is a typical day? How have physicians responded? Answers to these and many other questions in this interview-style format from the first DCLS in practice and her colleagues.

3. Recruitment. Among the exhibiting organizations at the Joint Annual Meeting are a number of companies and organizations all recruiting for clinical laboratory positions. Additionally, some universities will provide information regarding their advanced degree opportunities for laboratory professionals.

Ensure you are moving down the right path for career success. Make plans to join us in Charlotte June 23-27. Online registration ends this Friday, June 7!

2018 ASCLS Annual Meeting attendees share their favorite parts of the meeting and why you should plan to attend the 2019 Joint Annual Meeting, June 23-27 in Charlotte, NC. 

Congratulations to the following ASCLS Joint Annual Meeting Travel Grant awardees. We look forward to seeing you in Charlotte, June 23-27, for the ASCLS-AGT 2019 Joint Annual Meeting.

Beckman Coulter Grant 

Thanks to the generosity of Beckman Coulter, five ASCLS Developing Professional members will receive assistance with travel expenses to attend the 2019 Joint Annual Meeting. 

Audra Callender Shreveport, LA	Elif Cetin Virginia Beach, VA	Steven Fowler Anchorage, AK	Doryan Redding El Paso, TX	Allison Young Freeland, MI

Diversity Advocacy Council Grant 

Thanks to the generoisty of the ASCLS Diversity Advocacy Council (DAC) members, one undergraduate student will receive assistance with travel expenses to attend the 2019 Joint Annual Meeting.

Meera Patel – Louisville, KY

Developing Professionals Forum Grant

Thanks to the generosity of the ASCLS Developing Professionals Forum, four student members will receive assistance with travel expenses to attend the 2019 Joint Annual Meeting.

Leah Ade Overland Park, KS	Madalyn Davis Lebanon, OH	James Hollowell Natchez, MS	Monika Paneru Monroe, LA

Ascending Professionals Forum Grant

Thanks to the generosity of the ASCLS Ascending Professionals Forum, six new professional members will receive assistance with travel expenses to attend the 2019 Joint Annual Meeting.

Kate DeAngelo Twin Falls, ID	Elizabeth LeFors Columbus, MS	Biwedeou Magnan Deer Park, NY
Kyle McCafferty Warren, MI	Edward (Ellis) McVoy Maumelle, AR	Amanda Sanchez El Paso, TX

Representing a wide range of laboratory disciplines and services, more than 30 companies, organizations, and educational institutions will join ASCLS and AGT in Charlotte, North Carolina, June 23-27 for the 2019 Joint Annual Meeting.

The new Annual Meeting format presented an opportunity to create a unique, personalized experience where laboratory professionals and industry partners can interact throughout the event. We’ve done away with traditional “exhibit halls” and instead will feature industry displays integrated into the conference and close to the educational sessions. You won’t need to set aside a long block of time to travel to an expo hall and visit with exhibitors; you can learn about the latest in medical laboratory products and services in between sessions, during breaks, or when the time is right for you.

All industry partners are full registrants and encouraged to attend educational sessions that impact their diagnostic area or any area of interest. Partners are also welcome to participate in social activities where all attendees can get to know each other on a personal level.

New this year, the meeting venue includes two Spotlight Theaters where industry partners can provide 30-minute educational or commerical presentations to an intimate audience of attendees. During new Commerical Symposia, partners will have 30-minute sessions in education rooms for in-depth demonstrations. And attendees can now schedule one-on-one meetings with industry partners through the conference app for deeper, more meaningful conversations regarding their products or services.

Career Opportunities
In addition to learning about new products or technologies, the Joint Annual Meeting can introduce you to new opportunities in your career development.

Among the exhibiting organizations are a number of companies and organizations all recruiting for clinical laboratory positions. Additionally, some universities will provide information regarding their advanced degree opportunities for laboratory professionals.

The list of participating industry partners is expected to grow, so make plans now to join us in Charlotte, June 23-27. Register online by June 7.