This topic is more interesting than it sounds, and is beneficial to a greater population of AUTM attendees than it may appear (it benefits newer members, seasoned veterans, and Ed Track moderators and panelists alike).
The structure of the AUTM Ed Tracks at the Annual Meeting hasn't been changed for many, many years. They have become an important training element of the AM, and have been rather successful in that role. The Ed Tracks allow for a deeper investigation into fundamental licensing topics, and they have been held on the first day of the Annual Meeting (Thursday - a 90 minute session just before lunch, and a 120 minute continuation after lunch).
Even though this has worked well in the past, the AM Program Committee saw an opportunity for improvement. The issues we were trying to address were:
1. some wanted to attend multiple Ed Tracks
2. the long lunch break disrupted the flow of the Ed Tracks
3. many participants in the morning session did not return for the afternoon session
4. many veterans had nothing to do if uninterested in attending an Ed Track
5. for many, the 3.5 hour combined session was too long
We are testing a new approach next year to address each of the above concerns. The Ed Tracks are being moved to an exclusively afternoon time slot to avoid the long lunch split. The first session will run from 1:30 until 3, followed by a 30 minute networking break, followed by the second session at 3:30. This not only keeps the session flowing better, but also shortens the total Ed Track time by 30 minutes. In addition, for any sessions that happen to end early, those attendees can go about making their evening plans, instead of waiting around for a prolonged period of time for the next Workshop session to begin.
In addition, the 10 Ed Tracks offered will be split into two sets of five. Half will be offered at the Thursday afternoon time slot (as described above), and the other half will be offered at the corresponding Friday time slot. Those wanting a deeper dive will now be able to attend 2 Ed Tracks instead of 1. Those less interested in Ed Tracks can attend concurrent Workshops and/or Special Interest Group meetings during those times and remain engaged - however, we have also made sure that there are Ed Tracks for every level of attendee (fundamental, intermediate, and advanced), so that everyone will have appropriate-level sessions to attend. Further, if you are attending an Ed Track that doesn't meet expectations, you will have the option of jumping to a full Workshop as your second session, instead of the 2nd half of another Ed Track.
In summary, both Thursday and Friday afternoon time slots will offer 5 Ed Tracks, 8-10 Workshops (over 2 time slots), and 2-4 SIGs (over 2 time slots), all concurrently.
The Program Committee will monitor how successful this program change ends up. Hopefully it will be beneficial to all attendees.