By Maeve Luthin, Project Coordinator

Yesterday, we shared with you a list of items that we will work on to ensure that our 2013 Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Conference surpasses your expectations. Today, we welcome you to join us as we relish some of the successes of 2012. Below are the top five successes that we hope to repeat in 2013:

1. Dazzling Speakers – Many of you enjoyed the opportunity to hear keynote speaker Bernard Rollin, PhD, speak and answer questions about his memoir, Putting the Horse Before Descartes. At the 2013 conference, we plan to line up a similarly dynamic speaker who will also be available to entertain questions and sign books.
   

1. Make New Friends, but Keep the Old – Whether it was while walking between sessions, eating lunch, or munching on hors d’oeuvres during receptions, you enjoyed meeting and mingling with one another. We will certainly continue to facilitate these informal opportunities in the future!


1. Marvelous Mentoring – Participants raved about Speed Mentoring. Not only were you able to get answers to specific questions, but you gained insight that you might not have otherwise received. Of course, mentoring was not just confined to this event—you reported that it was easy to find faculty members and attendees who were happy to answer your questions and offer you guidance.

1. Mixing it Up – There was something for everyone at the 2012 IACUC Conference! You attended content-rich sessions in a variety of formats. Some sessions were about the facilitators’ research, others provided guidance on best practices, and many gave you the opportunity to voice your questions and concerns. We aim to preserve this diversity when crafting the 2013 program, and urge you to participate in this process by answering our 2013 IACUC Conference Call for Program Contributions.
   

1. You Didn’t Curb Your Enthusiasm – The 2012 IACUC Conference would never have been a success if it wasn’t for your enthusiasm. You didn’t just travel to Boston to attend the program—you participated in the conference by asking speakers your questions, by networking with your colleagues, by signing up for special events, and by introducing yourself to others. This high level of interaction amongst attendees is what makes PRIM&R events so unique!

Thanks to all who attended the 2012 IACUC Conference—and a special thank you to those who shared feedback in the conference evaluation. We’re grateful to be part of your professional life!

Please mark your calendars for the 2013 IACUC Conference, to be held March 18-19 (with pre-conference programs on March 16-17) in Baltimore, MD.  We hope to see you then! Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.