Overview

Join your PA and PA student colleagues in the nation’s capital for AAPA’s premier Leadership and Advocacy Summit (LAS), Sept. 12-14, 2024, at the Ritz-Carlton in Arlington, Va. First-time attendees are encouraged to attend.

The summit kicks off with a full day dedicated to federal advocacy and afternoon visits with legislators on Capitol Hill. The remainder of LAS focuses on key developments facing the profession, association management, leadership best practices, and advocacy skill-building. Networking breaks throughout the event allow you to exchange ideas with fellow attendees.

This year’s enhanced agenda features breakouts that follow three tracks: Emerging Advocates, Association Leadership Best Practices, and Advanced Advocacy Tactics.

This program is not yet approved for CME credit.

Please contact us if we can answer any questions or provide guidance as you prepare for the event.

Registration

Registration Rates

Please note that the Leadership and Advocacy Summit is not included in the Fellow Plus or Premium Memberships.

This meeting will sell out, so register early!

Registration rate includes breakfasts, coffee breaks, Friday luncheon, welcome reception, and entrance to all sessions.

LAS Registration Cancellation and Refund Policy

• Please submit your cancellation request in writing to [email protected].
• We can offer a full refund for cancellations received by June 30, 2024.
• From July 1 to August 29, we will offer a 50% refund for cancellations.
• No refunds or credits will be granted after Thursday, August 29, 2024.
• All hotel cancellations must be made directly with the hotel.

Agenda

Below is a list of all of the sessions taking place at LAS 2024.

• September 12

  THURSDAY

• • 7:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

    On-Site Registration

  • 7:30 A.M. – 8:30 A.M.

    Breakfast

  • 8:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

    Welcome
    Congressional Outlook
    Preparing for Hill Visits

  • 12:00 P.M.

    Depart for Capitol Hill

  • 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.

    Appointments on Capitol Hill
    AAPA Capitol Hill HQ

  • 5:30 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.

    Welcome Reception

• September 13

  FRIDAY

• • 7:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

    On-Site Registration

  • 7:30 A.M. – 8:30 A.M.

    Breakfast

  • 8:30 A.M. – 9:00 A.M.

    Capitol Hill Debrief

  • 8:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

    General Sessions
    Breakout Sessions
    Networking Breaks (lunch provided)

• September 14

  SATURDAY

• • 7:30 A.M. – 12 P.M.

    On-Site Registration

  • 7:30 A.M. – 8:30 A.M.

    Continental Breakfast

  • 8:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

    General Sessions
    Breakout Sessions
    Networking Breaks

  • 12:00 P.M.

    Adjourn

This agenda may be updated or modified without notification. Further details will be posted as they become available. Check back frequently for updates.

Accreditation Statements

This program is not yet approved for CME credit. Additional information will be added closer to the event date.

Venue and Travel

Conference Venue

The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City
1250 S. Hayes Street
Arlington, VA 22202

Making a Hotel Room Reservation

A discounted room rate of $249, plus applicable taxes, has been secured for attendees and will be available until 11:59 p.m. ET Tuesday, August 13, 2024, or until the room block is full, whichever comes first. After that time, a room cannot be guaranteed.

BOOK YOUR ROOM

Reservations can also be made over the phone by calling 1-800-241-3333. Please have your arrival/departure dates, bed type preference, and credit card information ready. You must mention group name “AAPA Leadership and Advocacy Summit 2024” to receive the discounted rate.

Check-in time is 4 p.m. and check-out time is 11 a.m. Reservations must be cancelled 72 hours prior to arrival to avoid a no-show fee equal to one night’s room and tax. All reservations and cancellations must be made directly with the hotel.

Should you have any issues booking a hotel room, please contact Cindy Stickles.

Benefits of Staying at the Conference Hotel

Reserving within our block of rooms at the venue helps AAPA negotiate the best hotel rates and gives you easy access to sessions, meals, and countless networking opportunities. There’s really no reason to stay anywhere else!

Hotel Perks

• Complimentary Wi-Fi in guest rooms
• Direct access to The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, offering more than 250 dining and shopping options
• State-of-the-art fitness center
• Indoor access to the Metro station in Arlington

Travel

This hotel is only 3.8 miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

Hotel shuttle service to and from the airport is not provided. However, the hotel is conveniently located next to the Pentagon City Metro Station on both the blue and yellow lines. Please visit http://www.wmata.com/ for more information.

Things to Do

Explore the Nation’s Capital

The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City is conveniently located next to the Pentagon City Metro Station on both the blue and yellow lines, making access to the National Mall a breeze!

• Check out the many monuments and memorials.
• Visit one of the many FREE Smithsonian museums.

Shop ‘Til You Drop!

The hotel is located next to two large shopping areas: the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City and Pentagon Row.

Attendee Information

On-Site Conference Registration and Tips

• Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12. Please pick up your registration documents and Hill Day materials before heading into the sessions. You only need to check in once.
• Meeting rooms might get cold, so don’t forget your sweater or light jacket.
• Bring along your business cards and get ready to network!

Electronic Handouts

There is no paper syllabus for this course. Lecture materials will be available in AAPA’s Learning Central  before the conference start date.

Course Evaluations and CME Certificate

Your feedback helps us plan future conferences; therefore, your completion of course evaluations is a prerequisite for a CME certificate. Evaluations and deadlines will be available closer to the event.

The Michael Powe Leadership in Advocacy Scholarship

The Michael Powe Leadership in Advocacy Scholarship is awarded to PA students who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to advocacy work on behalf of the PA profession. Up to five (5) scholarships in the amount of $2,000 will be awarded to qualified candidates with a proven track record of maintaining academic excellence while actively engaging in initiatives that drive positive change for the profession. Applicants must demonstrate leadership, collaboration skills, and a clear vision for their future advocacy efforts.

Scholarship Criteria

1. PA student with a commitment to leadership and advocacy on behalf of the profession
2. AAPA Student Member in good standing
3. Member in good standing of an AAPA chapter, specialty organization, special interest group, or caucus
4. Available and willing to attend AAPA’s Leadership and Advocacy Summit
5. Maintains a satisfactory academic record while engaging in advocacy efforts
6. Preference may be given to applicants from states not historically represented at the AAPA Leadership and Advocacy Summit (LAS).

Application Process

To apply during the 2024 scholarship cycle, please submit the following by July 31, 2024:

• Completed scholarship application
• Letter of Good Standing from your Program Director/Faculty
• Letter of recommendation from your Program Director/Faculty
• Essay of up to 500 words (one page) explaining why this scholarship interests you, what you hope to gain from your experience at LAS, and how you plan to utilize the knowledge you obtain.

Scholarship winners will be announced mid-August 2024.

About Michael Powe

After more than three decades as an unwavering advocate for PAs, Michael Powe, AAPA’s Vice President of Reimbursement and Professional Advocacy, retired in June 2024. In his most recent role, Michael addressed issues surrounding healthcare policy, private third-party payment concerns, the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and various state and federal regulatory agencies. We hope that in perpetuity, the scholarship will honor Michael’s legacy as a strong and vocal advocate and encourage aspiring PAs to become staunch lifelong advocates.

Testimonials

LAS provides a fantastic opportunity for attendees to network, exchange ideas, and enjoy the Washington, D.C. area. First-time attendees tell us that LAS helped them better understand issues facing PAs and how to make positive change.

Take a look at the positive feedback from previous attendees!

“Some people assume they are not interested in policy without ever having been “boots on the ground.” I would tell them to try it – they won’t be disappointed.”

[LAS is] “a place to have real conversations about the state of the profession and how to move it forward in the most strategic way possible. A great intro to developing a network for policy involvement and advocacy.”

“It is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in legislative advocacy, network, serve our profession, and earn CME. I highly recommend attending.”

“I have never been to a conference like this one before! It really opened my eyes to the legislative and judicial processes that NEED to accompany our PA profession. I will definitely be back!“

“A great opportunity to learn and experience advocacy and network with other like-minded PAs.”

Partnering With AAPA

AAPA’s Leadership and Advocacy Summit brings together current and future leaders, administrators, managers, and decision makers. Get in front of PAs and PA students addressing professional issues and developing their advocacy skills.

About our Attendees

Top Specialties

Primary Roles

Top Work Settings

Exhibit and Event Sponsorship Opportunities

Increase your ROI with exciting networking and sponsorship opportunities and enhance your visibility at LAS.

Have your own Table-top Exhibit located in the conference area. Table-top exhibits includes:

• Reserved 6’x30” Tabletop Exhibit with a black tablecloth
• Two (2) chairs, an adjustable easel and a wastebasket
• Wi-Fi
• Electric (available upon request)
• Exhibitor will receive two (2) complimentary registration badges
• Medical Pursuit Spot – Attendees will participate in the trivia game by stopping by all exhibit booths and answer trivia questions (provided by exhibitors).  Once attendees have visited all tabletop exhibits, they will drop off their game card at the registration desk and are entered to win a prize.

Become an Event Partner, to extend your brand, reach the right audience and amplify your message through thought leadership, creating a memorable attendee experience, or brand exposure. AAPA offers a variety of different opportunities that are available to fit your budget and needs.

In addition to the sponsorship benefits for each item, sponsors will also receive:

• General Event Partner & Exhibit Recognition – Conference Website, Pre-Promotional Materials, and Onsite Signage
• Access to the Pre & Post Conference Attendee Registration List (available four weeks before the conference)

For questions or to start partnering with AAPA, please contact Heather.