ASHS 2024 Conference

Meeting new people is one of the best ways to start collaborating. It can be difficult to meet new people even at the annual conference with so many disciplines represented. This  session /event will provide the following impacts:

• Enhance and develop connections of ASHS members with each other.
• Create a structured time and space for low-pressure conversations and introductions.
• Practice elevator speeches and first impressions for aspiring and experienced professionals.
• Increase potential collaborations across disciplines and ASHS members.

The goal of this session is for participants to meet 10 to 15 people at the conference in a fast but low-pressure time.
 
The Partnership Development Committee (PDC) will create a signup sheet for the event to gauge the number of participants so that the room can best be set along with the time each pair has to converse. All members are welcome, even those who did not sign up prior to the conference. 
We will promote this event via social media, the ASHS newsletter, and by members of the PDC personally reaching out to other ASHS Professional Interest Groups. Participants will be encouraged to bring business cards, resumes, CVs, and job opportunities to this event.

1. Introduction (10-15 minutes)
   1. Establish groundwork for the networking event.
   2. Provide tips and potential questions for participants to ask.
2. Networking session 1 (30 to 35 minutes)
   1. Split into two groups.
   2. Pairs have 6-7 minutes (will determine based on # of participants).
   3. 1 person from each pair will stand up and move to the next chair at the end of the designated time.
3. Break (10-15 minutes)
   1. Opportunity for participants to talk more with someone they connected with.
4. Networking session 2 (30 to 35 minutes)
   1. Moving sets from Groups 1 and 2 swap.
   2. Pairs have 6-7 minutes (will determine based on # of participants).
   3. 1 person from each pair will stand up and move to the next chair at the end of the designated time.
5. Recap and discussion (15-30 minutes)
   1. Sharing opportunity for participants.
   2. Promotion of the collaboration center and other collaborative events.
   3. Opportunity for participants to talk more with someone they connected with.

The amount of time each pair has to discuss will depend on the number of participants and will be determined shortly before the session.