Chart Notes
AORN Expo 2025 | April 5-8 | Boston
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I’m Registered, Now What?
We’re thrilled to welcome you to AORN Expo 2025, the largest gathering of perioperative professionals! As you prepare for your trip to Boston, April 5–8, 2025, here are some key tips to ensure you make the most of your experience.
Secure Your Hotel – Limited Rooms Available
Haven’t booked your hotel yet? Rooms in the official AORN hotel block are selling fast. Stay close to the action, network with fellow attendees, and enjoy exclusive perks. Book now before the closest hotels fill up. Reserve your hotel now.
Plan Your Schedule Like a Pro
AORN Expo is packed with education sessions, hands-on workshops, networking events, and exhibit hall experiences. Check out the daily agenda and speaker bios in advance to customize your experience.
Calling First-Time Attendees
Join us Monday, March 24 at 8:00pm ET for a virtual orientation session with your Expo Ambassadors. Get all the insider tips on what to expect and how to make the most of your time at the conference. Register here
When you arrive in Boston, be sure to visit the first-time attendee lounge, where ambassadors will be available to address any questions, you may have. The lounge will be located in the North Lobby on Level 1 of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.
Must-sees in the Expo Hall
- Skills Studio: Sterile Processing Live! Optimizing SPD Operations
- Monday & Tuesday, April 7-8 | Booth 138 | Sponsored by STERIS | Earn 1 CH
- Contact Hours Await
- Stop by participating exhibits offering in-booth education workshops or study guides to earn continuing education in the Expo Hall. See Exhibitor Education Activities
- Your Learning Destination - The Learning Lab
Listen in on thought-provoking presentations for contact hours or hands-on demonstrations. See Learning Lab Lineup
Earn Some Spending Money
AORN and our industry partners are looking for participants for focus groups. If you qualify, you’ll be asked to share your opinions in a small group setting and receive cash for your time. Complete this brief questionnaire to determine eligibility.
AORN is also seeking input from our members to explore tools and resources that can address equity and inclusivity in perioperative nursing. Focus group participants will receive a $100 cash honorarium. Complete this brief survey. Participants who meet focus group criteria will be contacted directly with more information.
Save Your Seat: Ambulatory Lunch
Nurses and leaders from ambulatory surgery centers are invited to a complimentary hot lunch and featured presentation in the Ambulatory Hub.
Making Your Practice an Efficient Machine
Sunday, April 6 | 12:15pm - 1:15pm | Sponsored by Zimmer Biomet
Space is Limited. RSVP Here
Are You an Early-Career Periop Nurse?
Your Voice Matters: Join Our Focus Group
We’re hosting a focus group at AORN Expo 2025 to gather feedback from early-career perioperative nurses on AORN membership benefits and how you access them. Your insights are invaluable—and as a thank you, you’ll receive a $150 honorarium!
To participate, you’ll need to complete some pre-Expo tasks and attend the in-person session at AORN Expo.
Interested? Fill out this quick form to sign up!
Save Your Seat for Hands-On Education
- Escape Room: A “HOT” New Way to Engage Learners - Experience a new way to engage learners by participating in this virtual escape room. Can you save your patient before the time runs out? This thrilling challenge requires critical thinking, teamwork, and advanced registration. Sign up to reserve your spot.
- Operating Room Odyssey: A Surgical Escape - Create interactive education for your staff. Walk away with a ready-to-use education module focused on RSI (or work with facilitators to bring your own topic to life.) This session is intended for educators. Advanced registration is required. Attendees must bring a laptop with PowerPoint software and a power cord. Sign up to reserve your spot.
Must-see Attractions & Things to See in Boston
Globally renowned for its rich history, Boston offers a vibrant culinary scene, abundant outdoor activities, a dynamic arts culture, professional sports teams, and diverse urban and scenic explorations. Check out more things to do on our Visiting Boston page.
Getting Around
- To/from Boston Logan International Airport
- Public transportation through MBTA including the complimentary Silver Line bus to Boston’s South Station, the Blue Line subway, and water ferry.
- Ride Apps
- Taxis & limos
- See all transportation options to and from Boston Logan
- To/from Hotels and Convention Center
- Many hotels are within walking distance of BCEC. If you're staying nearby, take advantage of Boston’s walkable streets.
- AORN provides complimentary shuttle bus service between select AORN hotels and the BCEC, Saturday – Tuesday. See Shuttle Bus Schedule
- Convention Center Parking & Directions – Find directions & parking information
- Car Rentals - AORN members can save up to 35% on car rental reservations. Learn more about this member benefit.
- Getting around town - Boston has many ways to help you explore the city. Get a public transit pass, a bike share pass or learn about car sharing.
- Getting around the Convention Center - To reserve a mobility cart, please complete this order form. View maps of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.
Do’s: Make the Most of Your AORN Expo Experience
- Research & Plan Ahead - AORN Expo is packed with hundreds of sessions, workshops, and networking events—and you don’t want to miss out on the ones most relevant to you!
- Review the Schedule: Check the AORN Expo Schedule in advance and highlight must-attend sessions.
- Know the Locations: Familiarize yourself with the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center layout so you know where key sessions and exhibitor booths are.
- Plan Your Time Wisely: Some sessions overlap, so prioritize based on CE credit opportunities, speaker expertise, and hands-on learning.
- Be prepared for last-minute changes: have backup sessions in mind in case your first choice fills up.
Pro Tip: Save session times and locations in your phone or a planner so you can navigate easily!
- Dress for Comfort & Wear the Right Shoes
- Wear comfortable, supportive shoes to prevent fatigue.
- Dress in layers—conference rooms can be unpredictable (too cold or too warm).
- Pack a small bag for essentials like a light sweater, a water bottle, and a notebook.
Pro Tip: Boston in early April can be chilly—check the forecast before you pack
- Bring a Notebook & Take Notes
With so much valuable information at Expo, you won’t remember everything unless you write it down. - Bring a journal or notebook to jot down key takeaways from sessions.
- Use your phone for quick notes & photos of slides or speaker recommendations.
- Follow up on what you learn—review your notes and apply new knowledge when you return to work.
Pro Tip: Jot down key insights, action items, and new connections so you can revisit them after the event.
- Network & Make Connections
- Meet fellow perioperative professionals, educators, and industry leaders—Expo is an excellent place to build relationships.
- Have a QR code, business card, or contact information ready to go for quick networking.
- Attend the Right Sessions & Workshops
- Prioritize hands-on training sessions, leadership workshops, and CE credit opportunities that align with your career goals.
- If you can’t attend everything, review materials or follow up with speakers later.
- Take Breaks & Stay Energized
- Wear comfortable shoes—you’ll be walking a lot between sessions and the expo hall!
- Stay hydrated and bring a refillable water bottle.
- Pack healthy snacks to keep your energy up between events.
- Enjoy Boston - Make time for a Fenway Park tour, a Freedom Trail Walk, or a seafood dinner to experience the city.
Pro Tip: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and remind yourself why you’re here—to learn, grow, and connect.
- Engage & Follow Up
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions during Q&A sessions—your curiosity can spark insightful discussions.
- Take notes in a journal or app to capture key insights and follow up later.
- Connect with new contacts on LinkedIn or via email after Expo to keep the conversation going.
Don’ts: What to Avoid at AORN Expo 2025
- Don’t Forget to Take Time for Yourself
- While Expo is a premiere educational opportunity, don’t forget that you’re off the clock at Expo.
- Take time to enjoy Boston, walk around the Expo Hall, or sit and relax.
- Set specific times to enjoy something that isn’t work related.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
- Whether in a session or networking event, speak up! Asking thoughtful questions can lead to valuable discussions.
- Remember, others might have the same question but be too hesitant to ask.
- Don’t Be Shy—Talk to People!
- AORN Expo is all about collaboration—take the opportunity to meet people from across the perioperative nursing field.
- Introduce yourself at networking events, poster sessions, and in the exhibit hall.
Final Thoughts: Be Prepared & Enjoy AORN Expo 2025!
By following these Do’s and Don’ts, you’ll set yourself up for a rewarding, educational, and enjoyable AORN Expo experience.
