In the room: Changes aplenty as VAM returns

May 06, 2021 Re-posted from the May 2021 issue of Vascular Specialist

By Beth Bales

The Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM) is more anticipated than ever after the annus horribilis of 2020 and the pared-back, digital VAM alternative that was SVS ONLINE.

While organizers have previously relayed the changes made for this year’s meeting, Program Committee co-chair Matthew Eagleton, MD, took the opportunity to once again emphasize the significant changes to its structure for 2021, with educational programming presented across all four days— Wednesday through Saturday.

Between the large number of quality sessions available and attendee feedback decrying the overlap of such sessions, VAM organizers decided the best way to limit competing sessions was to substantially revamp the schedule.

“Wednesday is the new Thursday,” has become a recurring refrain in reference to VAM 2021.

“I hope you get tired of hearing that— because it’s important that people know that we have significant sessions scheduled from opening Wednesday to closing on Saturday,” said Eagleton.

Sessions formerly held on Thursday, but moved to Wednesday beginning this year include:

  • The Opening Ceremony, at 7:30 a.m.
  • The William J. von Liebig Forum (the first plenary)
  • The E. Stanley Crawford Critical Issues Forum (on multispecialty collaboration)

Other sessions on Wednesday include two concurrent sessions: two “Ask the Expert” presentations; International Forum and International Fast Talk; a special 90-minute presentation on COVID-19, including abstracts; and a collaborative session with the American Venous Forum (AVF).

With the exception of breakfast sessions, mornings are presented conflict-free.

Afternoons have no more than three overlapping sessions.

Other changes include scheduling the three postgraduate courses over three days, instead of holding them all on Wednesday.

And, the Vascular Research Initiatives Conference (VRIC) will be held at VAM this year in a pair of two-hour sessions on Thursday and Friday afternoon. VRIC registration is included with VAM registration; however, those interested in attending only VRIC may do so by paying the VRIC registration fee.The Society for Vascular Nursing and the Society for Vascular Ultrasound are both holding their annual meetings in conjunction with VAM.

This year, attendees have the additional option of viewing VAM remotely in streaming sessions (17 live sessions, with 15 total Continuing Medical Education credits available) as well as attending live. Both options include viewing the content on an On-Demand basis at no additional charge. Pricing is different for both options.

The meeting will feature a number of special events for which separate tickets—and, in some cases, additional fees—are required. All are listed on the registration form. Those requiring separate fees include the Vascular Quality Initiative Annual Meeting, the SVS/ Society of Thoracic Surgeons Aortic Summit, the Women’s Leadership Dinner, and the RPVI Exam Review Course. See safety protocols at vascular.org/VAMProtocols.

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