Coverage of the 2012 AADE Annual Meeting
Jul 30, 2012, 01:00 AM
Hello AADE Members!
Welcome to our coverage of the 2012 AADE Annual Meeting in Indianapolis! Two of our bloggers are onsite and will be posting their thoughts and reactions to the sessions and events here at the conference, while two of our bloggers will be covering the Virtual Meeting from their homes.
Stay informed of the latest meeting news through our AADE Blog, Facebook page, and our Twitter: @AADEdiabetes. We want to hear from you so please post your thoughts, questions and comments here or on any of our other social media outlets!
Our bloggers are definitely looking forward to the meeting this week. Here's what they have to say:
Amy Campbell, RD, CDE
As a working mother of a toddler, I'm excited to have the opportunity to be a part of AADE 12 by attending it 'virtually' from the comfort of my home. I'm really looking forward to watching videos of the powerful general sessions they have lined up this year and earning CE credit. I have loved and respected Jane Pauley since I was a little girl watching her on the “Today Show.” She is doing a keynote address entitled, "Your Life Calling.” I have seen Dr. Brian Wansink speak at previous AADE annual meetings and just adore his witty approach to research and mindless eating. I found myself amazed hearing about his studies on human behavior especially when we are tempted by large portions and candy jars. The other general session is an update on health care and health policy which is always helpful to know where we stand with policy. Policy change is at the heart of our jobs and the health of our patients. For the other sessions, I am most looking forward to "From Literature to Practice: Updates on Medication Taking and Monitoring" for an update on the latest and "New Frontiers in the Prevention of Type 1 and Type 2: Diabetes Educators Needed." I hope to see many more of the exhibitors use the virtual meeting this year for me to learn about their latest resources and products as a virtual EXPO experience.
Carla Cox, PhD, RD, CSSD, CDE
I sometimes wonder if going to AADE is worth a week away from our brief, but beautiful Montana Summers. After all, I attend enough meetings throughout the year to get all the credits I need for certifications. I also read journal articles almost daily to help keep up with the newest and the best. But when I step off that plane and head into a conference full of dedicated, thoughtful diabetes educators, I’m always happy I have attended. So this year, like so many others, I’ll head to AADE 2012. I’ll enjoy educational sessions and be re-energized about our profession. But probably what I gain from the most is connecting with others who share like interests; learning what they are doing and how I can improve my practice. I especially like getting together with other educators that attend diabetes camps, one of my most enjoyable experiences of the year. If you are not attending AADE this year, consider it next year. We are fortunate to be such a collective group of caring people!
Karen Kemmis, PT, DPT, MS, CDE
This is the year I am connecting to Twitter at the AADE Annual Meeting. I did not know what Twitter was for a long time. I recently signed up for an account and have not yet posted a “tweet” or actively followed other “tweets.” So, why now? I want to get the buzz of what others are experiencing at the meeting. What sessions are people really enjoying? What should I follow up on after returning home? Who gave a great talk? How might something I heard change my practice? I also might share some of my own highlights.
So if you are as I was until today, you might not have much of an idea about Twitter. According to Wikipedia, Twitter, Inc. was founded in March, 2006 and launched on July 15, 2006. It is considered a social networking or microblogging service that lets users send and receive text-based messages or “tweets” of up to 140 characters. It is a great way to get little morsels of the most up-to-date info from tweeters.
Twitter is huge! In April 2012, it was estimated that there were 500 million active users creating 340 million tweets each day! Twitter is available in many countries and many languages. You can read tweets without being registered but need to register to post tweets. It is easy to access Twitter by going to Twitter.com. Or, if you are on a web page, just look for the 
or 
.
On my Twitter account, I signed up to be a follower of AADE @AADEdiabetes. I encourage you to check out tweets from AADE by going from the AADE website (click on on the left side of the page and it brings you directly to the AADE tweets), going to Twitter.com, or on your mobile device or tablet by downloading the free app.
Connect to 2,471 followers and even consider creating a tweet! If you could not make it to the meeting this year, this is one way to follow the action. It is going to be a Tweet meeting in Indianapolis!
Barbara Walz, RN, BSN, CDE
Time for AADE12!! I feel a bit left out as all my friends are discussing flight times, hotel arrangements and what they are going to wear. But it is a major birthday for my hubby, and I have missed his birthday many years (due to attending AADE) so I decided to attend by Virtual Meeting this year. This should be an interesting experience.
As I understand it, the upgraded registration includes video footage of the Opening Sessions and access to five breakout sessions, worth 10.5 hours of continuing education hours. All sessions will be available for five months so I guess in case I need a "refresher" or get distracted, I can always go back on-line and watch them again.
According to the AADE website, I will be able to "interact with all attendees" – not sure how that will work but I am going to give it a try. I know I will miss seeing the exhibits – that was always a highlight to see what new, exciting, innovative things are in the pipeline to make my patients' lives and my life easier but my friends have promised to bring me back some literature.
However you choose to participate, AADE12 is a fulfilling, enthusing experience for everyone. I am always struck by the passion diabetes educators show toward their work, their patients and their colleagues.
If you are attending in person – be sure and take advantage of the many before and after hour events – the NEW Movie night to welcome everyone to the meetings, the BD/Lilly Customer Event and LifeScan Irish coffee event, which has grown over the years and of course, the 31st annual Novo Walk/Jog-a-Thon. I will be thinking of you guys as you party and make new friends. Take time to visit the product theaters, the culinary demonstrations and especially the AADE Booth. It is always fun to match a name with a face while there.
I wish everyone a safe trip. I look forward to seeing you in the 2012 Gallery!! Til next time!