If you are an early career psychiatrist (ECP) attending APA’s 2000 annual meeting in Chicago, you’ll want to pay attention to the various activities (both educational and fun) planned specifically for you. You will find that APA is increasingly concerned about representing its membership and providing quality for ECPs’ membership dollars.

One caveat to the information that follows—double-check the location before you go. Use your program book and check the daily newsletter that is published several times during the meeting. That newsletter will inform you of last-minute cancellations or room changes. Don’t forget to try to get to know a few people on the APA staff. They’re friendly and will help you out with issues like managed care concerns, managing a successful practice, and questions about CME credit.

These are among the events you might want to take advantage of during the annual meeting:

APA and McLean Hospital are sponsoring the first annual APA review course in preparation for the ABPN Part II oral examination. This all-day review course is based on the same program that is offered commercially. APA members can save quite a bit of money by taking the course at the annual meeting, but space is limited. APA members can register for the course at APA’s Web site, <www.psych.org>. Additional registration information is available by calling the APA Answer Center at (888) 35-PSYCH. The course fee is $25 for members and $225 for nonmembers.

• 11:30 a.m.: A brunch for gay and lesbian ECPs will be held at the Hospitality Suite (Sullivan Room) of the Allerton Crowne Plaza Hotel. The room is located off the main lobby on the third floor.

• 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: The Opening Session and presidential address will be held in room E354, level 3, McCormick Place Lakeside. Come hear your APA representatives "kick-off" the annual meeting and outline the Association’s goals for the coming year.

The meeting really gets rolling on Monday. You obviously will not be able to do everything you would like to, so pick and choose wisely. Make sure to include time to learn, catch up with friends, network with new colleagues, and browse the industry and other exhibits.

• 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.: The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) will be open during these hours through Wednesday, May 17, in Hospitality Suite #4 on the third floor of the Hyatt Regency McCor- mick. Special events for women psychiatrists will be held at the WRC throughout the meeting, and materials on women’s programs will be available. (The WRC is funded by a grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb.)

• 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.: Industry-supported symposia breakfasts are scheduled throughout the week and are a great way to cut meal costs and learn something in the process.

• 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.: The session "How to Launch a Successful Private Practice—Part I," which has been well attended at past meetings, is a must to learn the "nuts and bolts" of starting your own practice after residency. Issues such as building a referral base, dealing with finances, malpractice insurance concerns, and more are covered.

• 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.: "Career Lessons for Asian-American ECPs"

• 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.: The session "American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Update" is intended for anyone who wants to understand the requirements needed to sit for the ABPN exam. The presentation is targeted to residents and ECPs.

• 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: "How to Launch a Successful Private Practice—Part II"

• 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: The Caucus of Women Psychiatrists and the Association of Women Psychiatrists will hold their annual joint meeting in the Marquette Room on the third floor of the Chicago Hilton. Light refreshments will be provided, and enrollment forms for both groups will be available.

• 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.: There will be a workshop for ABPN examiners and examinees. You will hear about experiences with the Oral Boards from both perspectives. This is a good chance to get your questions answered and allay some anxiety about the examination process.

• Noon to 2 p.m.: There will be an ABPN board review and luncheon for women. Meet your colleagues and learn strategies and test-taking skills. At the meeting, contact Deborah Spitz, M.D., in the Women’s Resource Center for more information.

• 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.: There will be a repeat of the session "How to Launch a Successful Private Practice."

• 6 p.m.: There will be an ECP dinner, but the location was not available at press time, so check the daily newsletter. Please reserve a place early as space is limited, and reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. This is a great opportunity to share an evening with colleagues from around the country, mingle with APA leaders, and catch up with old friends.

• 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: In the session "Career Choices in Psychiatry," you will be able to discuss a variety of postgraduate careers with your colleagues.

In addition to these sessions, I urge you to check out the New Research/Young Investigators Poster Sessions throughout the annual meeting. I’ve found these not only very educational, but also a great way to chat with folks on the cutting edge of psychiatric research. Try to attend as many of these as you can.