Atlanta: Sleek Modernism, Old Time Charm
The joint annual meeting of
ASCLS and
AACC comes to Atlanta in just 2 weeks and you don’t want to miss it if you can. The
ASCLS meeting
runs from July 26-30 while
AACC will be from July 24-28.
In addition to the exciting speakers and cutting-edge presentations (ASCLS has dubbed their meeting “@lanta where Southern hospitality meets best practice”) this show will again feature the largest clinical laboratory exposition in the world. There will be an estimated 650 exhibitors and more than 1,800 booths housed in the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC).
Both meetings will offer live streaming of some plenary sessions (of course that’s no reason for you to stay home instead of attending in person). AACC has made the commitment to go green by minimizing paper and using conference bags made of recycled material.
To reduce the event's environmental impact, the AACC is using 30 percent recycled paper for the registration brochure, program/exhibit guides and other meeting materials. It is arranging for the convention center to recycle exhibitors' discarded packing materials, manufacturing bookstore bags from Kraft recycled paper and using china instead of disposable plates in the staff room. Plastic badge holders will be recycled, and AACC staff will use more shipping trunks than cardboard boxes to ship supplies. Exhibitors have been asked to recycle when setting up and dismantling their booths.
Next to attending sessions, attendees at national meetings rate the ability to “scope” out the host city as highest on their list. ADVANCE editor Mattthew T. Patton wrote a recent blog highlighting some eateries to check out in Atlanta. There are also many attractions fairly close to the Congress Center. Must-sees depend on what your interests are but below are links to some popular sights:
The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site includes the birth home, center and the Ebenezer Baptist Church formerly pastored by the slain civil rights leader. Don’t miss his crypt in the middle of a reflecting pool and highlighted by a perpetual flame.
The Coca-Cola Museum, Georgia Aquarium (largest in the world) and the Olympic Centennial Park with its tall Grecian light towers and dancing fountains set to music are all within walking distance of the convention.
CNN world headquarters and Philips Arena (home of the Atlanta Hawks and the Thrashers) are right next door. Turner Field stadium where the Atlanta Braves play baseball is just a cab ride away.
The New American Shakespeare Tavern serves up British pub food, ales and a medley of Shakespeare’s works done by local actors for -- all for under $30.
Other places that might be of interest are the High Museum of Art and the Margaret Mitchell House where Gone With the Wind was written.
It’s worth checking out these sites online and coming up with a plan of action before you visit. Get a friend or group together and venture out. Don’t just stay in the hotel! If you have any questions, I will be happy to provide my suggestions and personal perspectives.
We are waiting for you. Come on down y’all!