SMACC2: The inside scoop!
It’s time that we come clean with some of the preliminary planning for smacc2.
This post is a brief synopsis of what’s been happening in the last 7 weeks…
Click Read More to hear the latest on SMACC2…
The Final Wrap:
SMACC 2013 amazed us all and was summed up when Scott Weingart returned home to New York and promptly put out a podcast stating that it “was the best conference ever and I’m already planning to return, regardless of whether I am invited to speak or not!”
Delegates praised many of the speakers, Sonowars, Simwars and much more, but as organisers (of more than a few conferences over the years) we were stunned by the feedback from you all.
The intention of the smacc was to make it “your conference” and this ethos was embraced from the start as evident in the response to initiatives like the ‘PK’s’ and ‘Free-Papers’.
At the conference the atmosphere was relaxed, positive and colleagial. The overall vibe was great and this carried through to the feedback many of you provided.
It’s hard to imagine a meeting where the delegates have provided so much constructive direction for the next installment. There have been over 200 delegates return feedback and I can assure you all that the organising committee for smacc2 is taking notice.
So what did the all the feedback say and what are we planning?
The Plans for SMACC 2:
- More Intensive Care in the Critical Care program
- More Critical Care Anaesthesia
- More Gender balance on panels and program
- Workshops on everything
- A Crèche
- A social media “Genius-bar”
This doesn’t mean that there will be any less of all the stuff you loved, just more for you to choose from at smacc2.
Of course the big names from the affiliated websites will all be there like Weingart, Reid, Carley and Cadogan. In addition Karim Brohi and Haney Mallemat have already signed up for 2014 along with subspecialty Neurosurgeons and cardiac surgeons to name a few. Finally there are heaps more exciting speakers yet to be named to really get you pumped!
The Venue
The Gold Coast Exhibition Centre (GCEC) at Broadbeach.
This venue can best provide the arena style plenary sessions for over a 1000 delegates along with the breakout rooms, smacc-lounge, media centre, crèche and exhibition space. GCEC is surrounded by great options for accommodation and the casino next door can manage the smacc Gala dinner and after party. The Gold coast airport is nearby and for the international visitors is only a short hop from Brisbane or Sydney airports.
The organising committee has expanded to include more locals including the likes of Victoria Brazil and from overseas we are getting input from Natalie May (Of St Emlyn’s fame). There will be so much more to tell in the coming months so stay tuned…
Roger Harris & Oli Flower