It has become an annual tradition for me to research
lactation conferences, check registration links and put it all together in a
neat package for colleagues and advocates. I was definitely NOT prepared to see
the increase in offerings. There are nearly twice the number of lactation specific conferences than in 2019. With so many fabulous choices, how can one decide on which ones to attend? Let me offer 11 suggestions for
narrowing down your search
.
1. Location. Support your local coalitions and
organizations. There is a lot of effort and thought that goes into planning and
executing these large events and they should be well-attended. Locals make up
the majority of the audience and organizers are counting on you. Staying local
will present the opportunity to meet people in your own backyard and you may
find networking and collaboration opportunities. Remember, if the conference is
a success, it will most likely be a reoccurring event.
2. Cost. It is no small investment to attend a conference.
The options for 2020 range from around $100 to $500. A low-cost option does not
mean a low-quality program. Some conference committees work hard to get
sponsors to keep pricing low. Check for discounts. Many conferences offer
member or student discounts and early bird pricing. If you are looking for a
specialty training or attending a multi-day event, the pricing is sure to be
higher. Just remember to budget for the events you would like to attend. If you
want more suggestions on how to save money, check out last year's conferenceblog.
3. Contact Hours. Many professions require continuing
education for re-certification. Conference organizers have to apply for these
in advance. IBCLCs need 85 L-Cerps every 5 years. Nurses, Registered
Dietitians, Physicians, etc. all need to meet minimum requirements. Don't just
assume you will receive CEUs, BRNs, etc., double check before registering.
4. Presenters. We all have our favorites, but venture beyond
the big names. There are plenty of rising stars who have a lot to share. I love
to support fresh faces that come along with new ideas. Of course, I'm not ready
for anyone to retire--there are still quite a few I need to learn from (looking
forward to crossing a few off my bucket list in 2020). And let's be honest, there are lactation legends that could never be replaced.
5. Topics. This one gets me all the time. There is so much I
want and need to learn. I often base my choice on what I am seeing in private
practice or what my students want to know more about. I feel responsible to
learn the new information and pass it on to others. I jump on opportunities to
learn new research and absolutely love it when I get to hear from the
researchers themselves.
6. Diversity. I mean this in every sense of the word. This
is often the work of the organizers. Hopefully, people are realizing the value
and necessity (along with urgency) of having a variety of speakers that address
even the most uncomfortable topics. You will notice several conferences
including this aspect this year. Choose diversity. It may seem like some groups
are overcompensating, but we are making up for lost time.
7. Organizers. Who are you supporting? I like to know where my
investment is going. I tend to support my friends, non-profits and small
businesses. This list will look different for everyone. Sometimes people will
select a conference where some proceeds go to a cause near and dear to their
heart. Others like to attend conferences that offer scholarships. Some people
may decide not to attend a conference that does not follow the WHO Code. You
have your reasons and you get to vote with your funds. If you have a specific
question, reach out to the event coordinator prior to registering.
8. Refund Policy. Many people attending breastfeeding
conferences are involved in the birth world where the unexpected is expected.
Know the refund policy. What is the latest to cancel without penalty? Do the
organizers keep your deposit? Is there a way to receive a partial refund if an
emergency arises? You can save yourself some disappointment if you know the
policies ahead of time.
9. Public Transportation. This may be a deal breaker. I have
looked at low-cost conferences but after budgeting airfare, rental car and/or
Uber the cost became elevated. I even attended a conference where there was a
$25 parking fee for each of the three days! Take into consideration ease of
travel and location in regards to transportation so you can budget accordingly.
10. Exhibitors. Some conferences are market free and those
may be the ones you wish to support, but I always like to see the newest
gadgets and how they work. I always purchase from local vendors and support the
small businesses that have invested in order to keep my cost low. I feel like I
would rather purchase from them rather than pay more to register. It is a
win-win for me. I also am very social, so hanging out in the exhibit area is a
highlight to my day. It is so much easier to connect in a social environment
than in the conference room. Some of my best ideas and most successful partnerships
were birthed in the exhibit hall.
11. Attendees. Yep, I want to know who I get to connect
with. I love meeting like-minded people and finally connecting in person.
Social media is great, but nothing compares to grabbing a cup of coffee in
person. I put this last, but personally, I get giddy when I know I will be
seeing friends. I just didn't want to out myself as a fan-girl. I get
motivated, inspired, excited and encouraged by the attendees as much (if not
more than) the presenters. Who will I see at the 2020 Conferences? I cannot
wait to connect in real life.
2020 CONFERENCES (listed in order of scheduled dates)
Click the title to follow the links to the conferences
US CONFERENCES
Organization or Topic
|
DATE(S)
|
LOCATION
|
COST
Early Bird rates are listed, member/
group discounts may apply
|
Jan 14-17, 2020
|
Deerfield Beach, FL
|
$175 per day
|
|
Jan 21-23, 2020
|
Sacramento, Ca
|
$425
|
|
February 7, 2020
|
Kenmore, WA
Additional locations and
dates
|
Check the website
|
|
February 7-8, 2020
|
Atlanta, GA
|
$230
|
|
February 9-10, 2020
|
Richmond Hill, NY
|
$335
|
|
February 20-23, 2020
|
Anchorage, AK
|
$595
|
|
February 29, 2020
|
Dallas, TX
|
$325-$525
|
|
March 4-May 4, 2020
|
Online
|
$175
|
|
March 5-6, 2020
|
Oshkosh, WI
|
$125
|
|
| Nursing Mother's Council of BACE | March 9, 2020 | Boxborough, MA | $145 |
| New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force | March 12-13, 2020 | Albuquerque, NM | $350 |
| LC in Private Practice | March 14-15, 2020 | Philadelphia, PA | $475 |
| March 16-17, 2020 | Atlanta, GA | Coming soon | |
March 25, 2020
|
Dalton, GA
|
$115
|
|
March 26, 2020
|
Portland, CT
|
$185
|
|
March 27-28, 2020
|
Houston, TX
|
$250
|
|
March 27-28, 2020
|
Dublin, OH
|
$325
|
|
March 28, 2020
|
Rock Hill, SC
|
$30
|
|
March 30-June 1, 2020
|
Online
|
$225
|
|
| AHEC North Carolina | March 31, 2020 | Winston-Salem, NC | $115 |
April 2, 2020
|
Fairview Heights. IL
|
$110
|
|
April 2, 2020
|
Troy, NY
|
Coming soon
|
|
April 17, 2020
|
San Joaquin County, CA
|
$129
|
|
April 17, 2020
|
St. Paul, MN
|
Coming soon
|
|
May 17-20, 2020
|
New Orleans, LA
|
$485
|
|
April 20-21
|
Austin, TX
|
$270-440
|
|
April 23-24
April 24, 2020 |
S. Burlington, Vermont
Cleveland, OH |
$300 $250 |
|
April 24-25
|
Viera, FL
|
$140
|
|
April 24-27, 2020
|
Seattle, WA
|
$200-$800
|
|
April 25, 2020
|
Fayetteville, NC
|
$400
|
|
April 27-28, 2020
|
Anchorage, AK
|
$375
|
|
April 30, 2020
|
Raleigh, NC
|
$90
|
|
May 7-8, 2020
|
Holyoke, MA
|
Coming soon
|
|
May 13-15, 2020
|
Detroit, MI
|
Coming soon
|
|
North Carolina Lactation
Consultant Association
|
June 8, 2020
|
North Carolina
|
|
June 12-13 2020
|
Scottsdale, AZ
|
coming soon
|
|
June 13-17
|
Phoenix, AZ
|
Coming soon
|
|
July 8-11, 2020
|
Houston, TX
|
Coming soon
|
|
August 26-28, 2020
|
New Orleans, LA
|
Coming soon
|
|
September 11-13, 2020
|
San Antonio, TX
|
Coming soon
|
|
September 15-November 15,
2020
|
online
|
$175
|
|
October 9-10, 2020
|
Flintstone, MD
|
$100
|
|
INTERNATIONAL/ ONLINE
CONFERENCES
|
DATE(S)
|
LOCATION
|
COST
|
February 19-21
February 20-22 Ongoing/online |
Australia
Warmambool, VIC traveling training |
$475
$455 $377 |
|
March 4 & September 15,
2020
|
online
|
$175
|
|
March, 2020
|
5 Locations; Australia and
online
|
$235
|
|
March 30-June 1, 2020
|
Online
|
$225
|
|
April 24-25, 2020
|
Milton Keynes, MK17 OPH
|
£300
|
|
May 14-16, 2020
|
Milan, Italy
|
230€
|
|
ABM Australasia
|
May
|
Melbourne
|
|
November 19-20
|
Harrogate, UK
|
Coming soon
|
|
BIENNIAL CONFERENCES (RETURNING IN 2021)
|
|||
April 29-May 1, 2021 (Biennial)
|
Norfolk, VA
|
||
2021 (Biennial)
|
|||
Canadian Lactation Consultant Association (CLCA)
|
2021
|
Vancouver, Canada
|
|
