NASSM Conference Updates: What to Expect in 2025
In the final NASSM Conversations session before this year’s conference, NASSM Academic Chair and Interim Executive Director, Dr. Bri Newland, stopped in to have a conversation with Dr. Georgia Teare about expectations and updates that members should be aware of as we approach our time together in San Diego. This session provided useful updates for all members, whether this is your 1st or 30th conference. The complete video of the session is at the bottom of this blog.
Conference Schedule Adjustments
The first topics covered were the significant changes to the conference schedule. The event will now take place from Tuesday to Friday, allowing attendees to either return home for the weekend or extend their stay to explore the local area. This adjustment was made in response to feedback from previous attendees and aims to provide greater flexibility.
Along with the change of days, the placement of specific NASSM events has also changed. The welcome reception will still take place on the first day of the conference, but the Founders Dinner—where we get to celebrate the great work done by NASSM members in the previous year—has been moved to Thursday evening to ensure maximum participation from all conference attendees. Additionally, this year’s NASSM location has provided an opportunity to host an informal social event on Friday evening, offering attendees the chance to unwind and enjoy a San Diego Padres game.
Additions to the Program
This year, NASSM introduces Special Topic Discussions, replacing the previous Innovation Talks. The intent of these sessions is to foster open dialogue on various subjects, including early career transitions, technology, DEI challenges, and sport participation. The format encourages discussion rather than formal presentations, providing a platform for attendees to share ideas and receive collegial feedback.
Additionally, the pre-conference workshops will focus on DEI challenges in the current political climate and strategies for continuing this important work in the face of governmental pushback. These sessions aim to help professionals and researchers navigate an environment that may not be as supportive as desired.
Hybrid Conference Format
This year’s NASSM conference will also be available as a hybrid format to accommodate international members who may be hesitant to travel to the States. This ensures that all attendees can participate fully in the event regardless of location. While shifts have occurred to previous conferences, Dr. Newland emphasized the importance of real-time feedback to address any technological issues that may arise during the conference.
Additional Activities and Networking Opportunities
In addition to the standard conference approach, NASSM 2025 has brought back some familiar favorites to enhance the conference experience:
Teaching and Learning Fair: Besides TLF presentations, exhibitors will be integrated, allowing attendees to interact with pedagogical tools and resources.
Golf and 5K Run: Attendees are encouraged to visit San Diego's many golf courses and participate in an unofficial 5K run/walk/stroll along the bay.
Welcome Breakfast: Following the success of last year’s iteration, NASSSM 2025 will once again kick off with a networking breakfast, providing an opportunity for attendees to connect with a diverse group of professionals early in the week.
For First-Time Attendees
Part of the conversation was geared specifically to those attending their first NASSM Conference. Dr. Newland described the conference (rightfully so) as a whirlwind, packed with engaging sessions and numerous networking opportunities. With that in mind, she did note that the program itself has been streamlined to reduce the need for attendees to hop between sessions, allowing them to focus on areas of interest and build connections with session attendees and moderators. The first day has been designed to facilitate networking and provide a lighter schedule, helping newcomers feel more comfortable and integrated.
Suggestions for Future Conferences
The session concluded with a discussion about further elevating the conference in the coming years. While it’s likely that more time will need to be provided to this discussion, Dr. Newland welcomed these suggestions and committed to discussing them with the executive board. Some of the more robust considerations offered during this session were:
Full Paper Submissions: Requiring full paper submissions for oral presentations to enhance the quality of discussions and reduce the number of presentations.
Works in Progress Sessions: Offering sessions for doctoral students and junior faculty to present developing ideas and receive feedback.
As the NASSM Conference evolves, incorporating feedback and new ideas will help create a valuable and enriching experience for all attendees. If you have comments, suggestions, or anything else, please share them with communications@nassm.org!
We look forward to seeing you in San Diego!