The Magic Behind the Scenes 

By: Tina Spagnola MSN, RN, NPD-BC, NE-BC 

Have you ever considered how we choose the sessions that make up the SPN Annual Conference program? It begins with a committed group of volunteers called the Program Planning Committee. This committee initiates its planning about a year in advance, basing its decisions on feedback from member evaluations, member needs assessment, and an analysis of emerging trends and topics in nursing. Keep in mind that this committee is forecasting an entire year ahead. The committee then develops a slate of speakers for the Annual Conference. The Board of Directors reviews and endorses the list of keynote and general session speakers, along with the associated budget. 

The next step involves selecting abstracts submitted by members and nonmembers; these submissions undergo a blinded review process. The abstracts may pertain to podium presentations or poster presentations. Additionally, other volunteers from various SPN committees assist in reviewing these submissions while ensuring impartiality throughout the process, adhering to the criteria the submitters use during their abstract preparation. This whole evaluation occurs electronically. After scoring the reviewed abstracts, we analyze their scores to decide which ones will be accepted, all while preserving anonymity throughout this stage. The topics emerge based on what’s submitted, creating our concurrent breakout session offerings. 

The Program Planning Committee subsequently assesses the concurrent breakout sessions before they can be approved. As members, you have a significant role in shaping our Annual Conference, not only by sharing educational topic interests that are important to you in the evaluations but also by submitting your own abstracts or motivating others to do so. Joining the Program Planning Committee is another chance for you to contribute actively to shaping our event's agenda. 

Committee Members: