2024 ISHA Annual Convention Update
Published in the January 2024 issue of the ISHA Voice
By Nichole Mulvey
Nichole is the annual ISHA Convention Coordinator.
With the new year, we often think of new beginnings, and ISHA has worked hard to meet the ever-changing needs of our membership for the 64th annual ISHA Convention in February 2024. We hope you make plans to join us next month (February 9-10) in Rosemont with a return to the in-person experience that was on hiatus the last few years. I am excited to highlight speakers, modifications, and the more intimate and social experience of ISHA 2024!
First, you will feel a more intimate atmosphere, as we move to just one side of the convention hall to utilize space more efficiently and make navigation easier for attendees. Move from one session to the next with ease, browse the vendor booths, grab a cup of coffee, or take a quick break to figure out what session you want to go to next. It is all in one area this year!
As always, the ISHA Convention Committee has put together a fantastic array of speakers and topics to meet a variety of professional development needs. Are you curious about what the convention will really offer you? Be sure to go to visit the ISHA website to learn more about events and sessions. You can already search through the online event schedule and view the multitude of diverse topics and speakers. I did a quick search by topic track and found the variety I am looking for. How many opportunities will you have to learn within each track? Here is the breakdown on the number of presentations by track:
- Acquired Neurogenic Disorders Track: 8
- Auditory and Aural Rehab Track: 5
- Bilingual Topics Track: 5
- Child Language & Phonology Track: 17
- Dysphagia Track: 9
- Fluency Track: 5
- Professional Affairs Track: 22
- Technological Applications Track: 6
- Voice & Motor Speech Disorders Track: 8
Where else are working professionals able to acquire such a large variety of topics for professional development in just one place? Regardless of your specialty area, you will find something to enhance your professional skills and expand your understanding of the field of speech-language pathology. Within each track, you can further specify your search by subtopics including autism, billing and reimbursement, clinic/private practice, ethics, early intervention, medical practice, school affairs, and telepractice. For example, 6 of the above-mentioned presentations will address telepractice and 7 will address ethics. Take a few minutes to explore the options, so you can tailor your learning!
Friday will be busy and fun with a student-centered focus throughout the day. The always-competitive Knowledge Quest will be held, so don’t forget to cheer on your alma mater! Then join your friends at the annual tailgate to socialize and catch up. Any attendee can also participate in the new job fair, learning about job opportunities and more from amazing sponsors and companies present at ISHA. Encourage any student you know to attend Friday and get to know what ISHA is all about – they are the future of our organization and profession!
Another can’t-miss opportunity is the Awards Breakfast/Scholarship Fundraiser on Saturday morning. Come support the amazing colleagues who make our profession better while also supporting student scholarships! I am a little biased since I secured the keynote speaker, but I know the presentation by Kristin Pitlik will be an amazing opportunity to challenge and expand your thinking about perceptions of disability. Join us for a great breakfast and great conversation about disability in the classroom and workplace.
You can still register to attend the convention online today! We can’t wait to see you at the 64th Annual ISHA Convention!
Nichole Mulvey is the ISHA Convention Coordinator. She is an associate professor and graduate coordinator at Eastern Illinois University.
