First Timer’s Guide to the ACBS World Conference

Welcome!

We have compiled this guide to assist first-time conference attendees in making their time at the ACBS World Conference as productive and stress-free as possible. There’s no “right” way to attend the conference nor is there a set number of sessions or events to attend. You should attend the conference with the plan to make connections, learn, and have fun.

Planning for the Conference

Getting there: Check here for airport and train station transfer information to get you to the venue.

General Conference Schedule: The general schedule of events which will help you plan your days. More information will be shared closer to the event. 

What Should I Bring?

Snacks and a water bottle: ACBS provides lunch each day along with coffee/tea breaks in the morning and afternoon. If you’d like to supplement that, shop at the grocery store and stock up on fruit, granola bars, or energy bars – items that are portable and filling enough to sustain you throughout the day. Your brain will thank you!

Comfortable Shoes & Clothes: Bring your favorite comfortable shoes! ACBS conferences are a bit more informal than other similar conferences when it comes to dress. Most people wear slacks/shorts/jeans and a button-down shirt, blouse, or something similar. Be comfortable. 

Hong Kong temperatures in June are warm and sunny (daytime highs range from 30°C to 34°C (86°F - 93°F), evenings range from 26°C to 30°C (79°F - 86°F)). Consider bringing a hand fan and dress comfortably for hot weather. Pack a light jacket or sweater in case you get chilly in the air-conditioned rooms. June can be rainy in Hong Kong, so be sure to also bring your rain gear for when you're exploring the city!

Writing Implements:  Whether it's your phone, tablet, or paper/pen, please be sure to bring note-taking materials with you. To save on costs and the environmental impact of wasted paper, ACBS does not provide writing materials or printed versions of the program. The Program will be available as a PDF online and in the Conference App. Please note: During meetings, the use of any AI notetaking tools is prohibited. Participants are expected to rely on traditional methods of notetaking to ensure the confidentiality and security of the discussion. Read the full policy here.

Choosing Conference Sessions 

Sometimes selecting which of the approx. 120+ education sessions to attend requires some time. There is a lot of cool research, some really useful practical training, thought provoking invited speakers, and a wide variety of topics. Expand your horizons and have fun. Read through the sessions available. Keep a list of these available sessions, but don’t stress about definitively picking one over another. Feel free to add them to your agenda in the Conference App. You will end up chatting with other attendees about upcoming sessions and they may lean toward one or the other or even suggest one you had not considered. Another strategy is to find (or recruit) a buddy to attend a different session in the same time slot and then meet up afterward to share information.

You will notice there are several different types of sessions available throughout the conference. We’ve included a brief explanation of each type to assist with choosing your sessions:

• Workshops are training sessions of 1.5 or 3 hours and usually focus on a combination of experiential exercises, case conceptualization, role plays, and/or didactic teaching. The workshops June 24 - 27 are open to all conference registrants, no advanced registration is required for individual sessions.
• The Ignite presentation is a short, structured talk in which presenters present on ideas and issues they are most passionate about, using a “deck” of 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds for a total of 5 minutes each.
• Symposia are a series of three to five 15-20 minute presentations focused on either empirical research or conceptual, philosophical, historical, or methodological issues. A discussant highlights and integrates the contributions of various speakers in the symposium and moderates questions from the audience.
• Invited Lectures are in depth, invited talks by researchers/trainers doing something especially awesome. These presenters have been specifically invited to provide new insights or depth to the conference. We encourage you to attend!
• Panel discussions consist of 3 to 6 speakers selected for some shared interest or expertise in an area. Panelists respond to one or more questions or issues, with time allotted for interaction among the speakers and with the audience.

Session Note: All sessions from Thursday morning through Sunday afternoon are included with your conference registration. Workshops given during these times are complimentary!

Networking at the Conference

The First Timer’s Event/Rookie’s Retreat: Attending this event can help you get oriented to the conference, get your questions answered, meet some attendees, and start your networking! ACBS Membership Committee volunteers will facilitate The First Timer’s Event/Rookie’s Retreat again this year.

Chapter/SIG (Special Interest Group) Meetings: You are welcome and encouraged to attend any Chapter and SIG meetings that are occurring during the conference which interest you. You do not need to be a member of these groups to attend and this is a great way to meet people who live locally to you or who have similar interests. 

Evening and Social Events: ACBS conference social events (networking receptions, mixers, Follies, etc.) generally have high attendance. These events are a good opportunity to chat with others in a relaxed environment and have fun. More details will be provided as we get closer to the event. 

Networking Tip: You will be meeting other therapists/researchers so be prepared to help them remember you by sharing your business card. If you don't have a business card, don't worry! ACBS is an informal conference and you can always ask to snap a picture of someone's name tag and message them later through our membership directory.