The AHRA 2025 Annual Meeting is almost here, and I can’t wait to see everyone from August 3-6 at the Paris Las Vegas. This year’s event will be more spectacular than a Vegas magic show.

Ahead of the Annual Meeting, we have three amazing workshops that take place Saturday, August 2: the CRA® Exam Workshop, the Imaging Negotiation Workshop, and the Executive Leadership Workshop. This new schedule allows you to take part in hands-on learning without missing the rest of the Annual Meeting — no need to pull a David Copperfield!

We’ve also modified the schedule to ensure there’s plenty of time to attend sessions without missing networking opportunities. We have a fantastic lineup of speakers who will cover issues that have a real impact on our work, from hiring and staffing, to MRI optimization, revenue cycle, data and benchmarking, self-improvement, and much more. I’m having a hard time deciding which sessions to attend — I want to join them all!

On Monday, August 4, I’m looking forward to learning about the capstone projects from our Leaders of Choice cohort. This group has been meeting in-person and virtually since last fall, collaborating as peers and working independently on bold initiatives that will add value to their organizations. If you’re curious to learn what a capstone project looks like from start to finish, I’d encourage you to read this article on LINK from Melissa Ramos, CRA. She took the seed of an idea for new manager development and grew it into a highly sought after program for her clinic.  

Each day of the Annual Meeting also offers symposiums led by vendor partners — Siemens Healthineers, Bayer, Guerbet, Bracco, and United Imaging — on topics ranging from AI, to maximizing MRI’s potential, strategies for patient care, and more. These sessions are a great way to hear firsthand how our partners are offering innovative ways to work with us and better our departments. If you’re looking for a more casual setting to meet with partners and peers alike, the Gathering Place will be open Sunday through Tuesday. This is another great space to learn what’s new in the industry and connect with our partners to share ideas.

Our keynote speakers anchor the event in inspiration and energy. This year we’ll hear from Jeremy Poincenot, who will share his journey from teenage onset blindness to champion golfer. He’ll join us not to dictate how to succeed in life, but to speak from experience and share how independence is good, but interdependence is great. As we continue to learn how to rely on each other while also building our own leadership skills, I imagine there will be plenty of lessons we’ll be able to take back to our teams.  

I also can’t wait to hear from and meet Alex Sheen, founder of because I said I would, a social movement dedicated to bettering humanity through promises made and kept. In our field, quality patient care is the ultimate goal; that starts with keeping commitments to ourselves, our teams, and those we care for. Who better to learn from to motivate us to do right by our people?

If all that wasn’t enough to make you want to register today, let’s not forget the fun! This year, our big party will be on Tuesday, August 5 (one day earlier than in years past). We’ve done this so everyone has a chance to attend and enjoy food, music, a special AHRA-inspired cocktail, and dancing. Don’t worry if you aren’t a dancer — I am the world’s absolute worst, so stick by me, and you’ll shine by comparison. The party is a no-judgment zone and a chance to enjoy the company of old and new friends. There will be plenty of receptions and other networking functions, as well as the whole of Vegas to explore with colleagues during your downtime, too.

I’m looking forward to recognizing all of our prestigious award recipients, as well as new CRAs and AHRA Fellows. I love seeing the accomplishments of our AHRA members and celebrating them publicly for their hard work. I hope you’ll join me during Monday’s opening session in recognizing all of our award winners. You just might be inspired to pursue your CRA, an AHRA Fellowship, write an article, or speak at a future event.

If you are new to our association or the Annual Meeting, the AHRA Ambassador Program will connect you with someone to guide you through the process and help you experience all the event has to offer. You will surely meet some great new friends through the program.

The AHRA Annual Meeting is a chance to not only become a better leader and person, but also renew and reenergize your spirit. It’s a chance to bet on ourselves. I have always walked away with joy at reconnecting with dear friends and meeting new ones.

See you soon!