ASA is introducing something exciting at the 2025 ASA Annual Meeting in Chicago to help first-time attendees feel more connected—the ASA Annual Meeting Guide Program! A small group of first-time attendees will be paired with an experienced meeting guide to help them confidently navigate the meeting and get the most out of the experience. Guides will arrange a brief 20-to-30-minute meet-up with their group, which will take place at the start of the Annual Meeting.
Interested in being a guide? Complete this form by May 29, 2025. If selected to be a guide, you must register for the Annual Meeting by June 30, 2025, to participate in the program. Meeting guides are only expected to be available in relation to the Annual Meeting.
First-time meeting attendees can apply to be matched with a guide by completing this form by June 9, 2025. Applicants must register for the Annual Meeting by June 30, 2025, to participate in the program. Priority will be given to first-time attendees of the 2025 Annual Meeting who are also ASA members and in order of application so apply early!
Guidelines
- The initial meet-up (20 to 30 minutes) will be in a public place, onsite at the meeting.
- Although not required, we encourage guides to exchange cell phone numbers with their first-time attendee group to aid in meeting at the Annual Meeting. Unless both parties agree to continued use of cell phone as a means of communicating, all participants are asked not to use cell phone numbers after the Annual Meeting.
- Guides will only meet with members of their first-time attendee group in a public place onsite at the Annual Meeting.
Suggestions for Initial Meet-up
For guides, here are some suggestions for the initial meet-up.
- Friday before the opening plenary. You could then go to the plenary and welcome reception with your group.
- Immediately after the First-time Attendee Welcome Session, which takes place on Saturday at 8:00 am. Note: Please do not arrange your meet-up at a time that conflicts with this important Welcome Session for first-time attendees.
- Exhibit Hall: There are tables in the Exhibit Hall where you can meet with your group. The Exhibit Hall will be in the Hyatt Regency Chicago and has the following hours:
Saturday, August 9, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 10, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Monday, August 11, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 12, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Resources for First-Time Attendees
ASA offers a recorded webinar on Making the Most of the ASA Annual Meeting that was recorded a few years ago.
Review the Annual Meeting 101 tip sheet.
Questions
Contact Hedy Ross, Director of Membership at [email protected] with questions about the 2025 ASA Annual Meeting Guide Program.
