Tips for Navigating AAD 2025

Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD

It is that time of year again: The largest dermatology meeting is at hand in Orlando, Florida next month. Yes, it’s almost time for the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) annual meeting. This is the 83rd annual meeting, and it promises to be bigger and better than ever. There are almost 300 unique educational sessions for dermatology clinicians to choose from so they can learn, improve their clinical skills, and fulfill CME obligations. Last year, we blasted off to space with William Shatner; this year, I expect nothing short of magic.

In preparing for this year’s AAD, I reflected on my experiences at prior meetings. The first AAD meeting that I attended was in Miami, Florida, in 2010 (the 68th annual meeting). I was a first-year resident at Yale University and did not know what to expect. I remember being blown away by the massive size of the exhibit hall—and I still am today with the dragons, waterfalls, and many other amazing booths that are created for our entertainment. The show that the industry puts on in that exhibit hall is truly impressive. The exhibit hall can be daunting, however, because of the long lines of dermatology providers and trainees trying to get free skin care products. One secret I learned early in my career was to go to all the booths on the last day when exhibitors need to unload remaining products they can’t ship home.

I confess that as a resident I would bring an empty duffle bag in my suitcase so that at the end of the meeting the dirty clothes could go in the bag and all the skin care products in the suitcase. One problem I did not foresee was the actual weight of the skin care products: They are heavy, and unboxing the products to pack in more only adds more weight. Also, trying to get an overweight suitcase stuffed with skin care products through security at the airport is not easy. My colleagues and I have had to give some products away to airport staff to reduce the weight of our suitcases to achieve regulatory compliance. Dividing the weight between multiple suitcases is a better approach. To this day, the most useful item I ever picked up in the exhibit hall at the AAD was a green laser pointer. I have used it for years for many presentations, as well as to entertain my cats.

Despite the luxurious lure of the exhibit hall, the AAD meeting is primarily about gaining education so we, as dermatology providers, may better serve our patients’ needs. When there are almost 300 sessions at the AAD meeting, how does one decide how to navigate all those learning opportunities? I recommend thinking about it through several lenses. First, consider who are the dynamic speakers that most resonate with you, and learn from them. If you are engaged with the presenter, you are likely to learn more. Second, consider the types of patients you see. Do you see all aspects of medical dermatology, or do you specialize? Do you perform procedural dermatology only or primarily aesthetics? Listening to presentations about those types of patients that you see and treat often can ensure you stay caught up on the latest therapies and technologies relevant to your patient population. It may also give you valuable perspectives about how colleagues from different regions of the country (or world) think about, diagnose, and treat the same types of patients you care for. Third, take a moment to reflect on areas of dermatology in which you feel less knowledgeable. What are your weak points? Have you seen patients recently when you did not feel comfortable diagnosing their problems or could not answer their questions? For those cases, I have found it helpful to pick 2 or 3 topics you consider your “knowledge gaps” and attend sessions on those topics. With this approach, you are consistently advancing yourself into a well-rounded dermatology provider. Fourth, remember that the AAD is also about networking, both with old friends and making new ones. It is a good rule to force yourself to sincerely (not in passing or casually) meet 1 or 2 new dermatology clinicians from across the country or around the world at each AAD meeting. Over one’s career, this will blossom into a deep, rich, and fruitful network of friends and colleagues across the United States and elsewhere in the world. Fifth, I encourage all students (at any level) attending the meeting to find 1 or 2 dermatology clinicians who you think may be valuable mentors for your career development and engage them.

Lastly, I encourage everyone to stop by Dermatology Times in the exhibit hall (booth No. 1052). We truly cherish the opportunity to educate dermatology providers every day, and welcome everyone to stop by with comments, suggestions, and areas of interest that Dermatology Times should cover in 2025. 

Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, is an associate professor of dermatology and translational biomedicine at the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, and Dermatology Times’ 2025 editor in chief.