Making Connections: Conference Offers New Networking Events, Old Favorites

Emergency Nursing 2022 attendees will have multiple opportunities to network with their peers in-person for the first time since 2019. There will also be events with more of a party-like atmosphere. Find information about several key networking events below. 

Attendee Meet & Greet  

Sept. 30 — 5-5:45 p.m.
Colorado Convention Center, Four Seasons Ballroom Foyer 

After missing out in 2020 and 2021, emergency nurses are back together again in Denver in 2022 to reconnect and recharge face to face! All conference attendees are invited to meet new friends, and to catch up with other ENA members, state and international leaders, and members of the ENA Board of Directors.  

Network over a game or while enjoying a refreshing beverage. A cash bar will be available.  

Anita Dorr Memorial Lecture and Luncheon 

Oct. 1 — noon-1:30 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Denver Downtown, Centennial Ballroom F-H 

The Anita Dorr lunch recognizes an ENA member with the Judith C. Kelleher Award for emergency nursing excellence, and this year’s recipient is safety training advocate Barbara Baldwin. This year’s speaker will be mental health speaker, filmmaker and social entrepreneur Amanda Lipp.   

“We expect her presentation will be compelling and insightful, bringing light to mental health awareness,” ENA Meetings Director Jamie Garcia said. 

After attending the many education sessions all morning, having a classy lunch helps re-invigorate nurses for the second half of the packed day. 

“Whether an attendee pre-registers to honor the award winner, because of excitement about the speaker or to network with other attendees at an intimate table, this event is an added bonus to the entire conference experience,” Garcia said. 

An additional fee and pre-registration are required for this event. 

Emerging Professionals Breakfast 

Oct. 2 — 7-8:30 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Denver Downtown, Centennial Ballroom F-H 

This year’s breakfast for emergency nurses just breaking into the field will feature the opportunity to make specialty coffee drinks, with flavored syrup and creamers being provided to kick the coffee up a notch. To wake everyone up for the day and get their blood pumping, attendees will be playing an exciting trivia game with prizes for the winners, ENA Member Engagement Manager Merrill Green said. 

Green said she is “very excited to finally be able to connect” with some members in-person and “watch them get to have a blast with each other” while networking and playing trivia. 

“I think most members feel the same way,” Green said. “I believe they are thrilled with the opportunity to have some fun together and network with their peers.” 

The Emerging Professionals Advisory Council, which plans this event, was formed to find ways to encourage more engagement and involvement among ENA members with five years or less of experience in the field.  

This year’s event is sold out. 

International Attendees Luncheon 

Oct. 2 — 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Denver Downtown, Centennial Ballroom F-H 

This luncheon is an invitation-only event and a great opportunity to share information and exchange ideas, and to build relationships with ENA leadership, the International Advisory Council and other international members. Lunch will be followed by a panel discussion focusing on “Advocacy Around the World: Identifying Shared Priorities and How to Advance Them.”  

The panel is sponsored by Teleflex. ENA Board member Joop Breuer, of The Netherlands, will provide an introduction, and Dan Smith, vice president of clinical medical affairs at Teleflex, will moderate the discussion.

Panelists include 2022 ENA International Advisory Council Member Dr. Nurul’Ain Ahayalimudin, of Malaysia; member Dr. Alison Day, of the United Kingdom; ENA Board member Vanessa Gorman, of Australia; IAC Chairperson Walter Lugari, of Italy; and ENA Chief Government Relations Officer Richard Mereu.

ENPC/TNCC Celebration Breakfast: Mimosas and Mingle 

Oct. 3 — 8-9 a.m.
Hyatt Regency Denver Downtown, Centennial Ballroom F-H 

This is the inaugural year for this networking event. Tickets cost $25 each and pre-registration for the event is required — and mimosas will be a fantastic way to cap off the conference on the morning of the last day.  

The breakfast will celebrate course instructors, course directors, faculty, state trauma chairs and providers. All emergency nurses and all those who will be celebrating are welcome to this exciting new event. 

“It’s so important to continue to celebrate accomplishments while we are able to be together, especially following quarantines and pandemic trials we have all faced,” Garcia said.