With the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting (often referred to as just “AAD”) in Denver at the end of March, excitement is in the air! Without a doubt the Super Bowl of dermatology conferences, AAD can be an accelerating and even career-shaping experience, but the first time it can be equally overwhelming. Whether you are a medical student exploring dermatology or a first-year resident at the start of your journey, here are some strategies to make the most of your experience at AAD 2026.
Plan Your Learning… and Your Social Life!
The scale of AAD is unlike almost any other meeting. The academic programming is vast and dense, with dozens of sessions running concurrently through the day. In order to maximize learning, it can be helpful to prioritize the type of sessions you want to attend. Some of my favorite sessions from past years have been late-breaking research, controversies in dermatology, dermatopathology cases, and any session on “pearls,” “what’s new,” and “articles of the year.” If your friends and colleagues are presenting during the resident Gross & Microscopic Symposium, be sure to support them! The AAD meeting app is an excellent resource and has features to help build your session schedule so you know where to go and when. The convention center is huge, so account for time traveling between sessions and spontaneous networking through the day.
AAD is also a social event, with meet-and-greets, happy hours, dinners, and parties every evening, which can quickly become overwhelming. One option is to choose a few key events and prioritize them. Alternatively, I have planned everything in detail, using multiple calendars and spreadsheets and even a separate map with saved locations. Whatever approach you choose, pace yourself; AAD is a marathon, not a one-night sprint.
Have a Meeting Buddy
The unofficial attendance for AAD in 2025 is listed as over 20,000 people. Being around such a large group buzzing in and around the convention center can paradoxically lead to a somewhat isolating experience. Having a co-resident, close friend, spouse, or other family member as a buddy through the meeting can make the experience more manageable. Y’all can motivate each other to attend sessions, split the mental load of planning your days, share travel to and from the meeting and events, and even just have someone to hold your exhibit hall bags for a minute when you need a bio break!
Speaking of Which…
If you are a first timer to AAD this year, you have probably heard a wide range of stories about the exhibit hall. This is where companies showcase their latest and greatest of all things related to dermatology. You will have a chance to collect samples of many of these, but keep in mind that this all comes at its own cost as well.
First, there is your time and energy. The exhibit hall will inevitably be crowded, sometimes frantic, and waiting in long lines can be exhausting. If there is a session you want to attend, do not miss out on that! It is more likely than not the sunscreen will still be there when you are done.
Bear in mind, even small items add up and the exhibit hall haul can be heavy. My strong recommendation is to plan accordingly. This might mean bringing an extra check-in bag, or even packing a bag within the bag, and accounting for this as part of your travels.
Finally, the exhibit hall is not all about creams and pens; it is also a learning environment. Whether it is the latest psoriasis biologic, laser device, or over-the-counter hyperpigmentation topical, you never know what you may find that will ultimately translate to helping your patients.
Protect Your Energy
AAD is intellectually and physically exhausting. It is more likely than not you will return from the meeting needing a good rest! Be sure to take care of yourself (and others) during your time there. If I had one strongest recommendation here, it would be to wear comfortable shoes. You will walk for miles every day, whether inside the convention center or out on the town. I can guarantee you will not be the only person in the suit and sneakers at this meeting. Be sure to hydrate and eat regularly, and schedule physical/mental breaks for yourself through the day. Finally, sleep when you can, preferably at your hotel/Airbnb, although you will see attendees nodding off during afternoon sessions!
Closing Thoughts
Attending AAD is an enjoyable, exciting, overwhelming, exhausting, and enriching experience. At the end of the day, it is what you make of it, and there is no “right” or “wrong” way to go about it. Have some learning, try some new skin care, attend a fun party or two, and meet new colleagues in the field.
I hope you enjoy, and will be sad to miss you there this year!