Today (yesterday by the time you read this) I learned two (2) new things.

The first is that Rebecca Welton from Ted Lasso…

 

 

 

…is also Septa Unella (aka The Woman Who Cried “Shame”) from Game of Thrones.

 

 

 

 

 

Shocking, I know. I’m still recovering.

Less interesting, but just as important, the second thing I learned today is that the form I included in my Submit an Abstract to Present at CMEpalooza Spring 2022 post last week is not visible in the email version of the post, which is how many of you read the blog. I acknowledge that a form is not very useful if you can’t actually see it. My bad.

To make up for it, here is a link to the Google Forms version of the abstract submission form. I keep calling it an RFP. I don’t know why. Old habits die hard, I guess. Anyway, if you have a great idea for a session at CMEpalooza Spring, submit it here. Abstracts are due January 28. Don’t worry, I’ll send out more reminders.

 

A summary of the recent CMEpalooza 2022 planning meeting.

Scott: “OK, let’s discuss topics for the Spring meeting. What’s on your list?”
Derek: [removes an overstuffed 3-ring binder from his backpack and drops it on the table with a loud thud] “Oh man, so many ideas. It’s hard to know where to begin.”

[opens binder and begins leafing through pages.]

Derek: “Let’s see…where to begin…where to begin…hmmm.”
Scott: “Wait a minute…are those pages blank??”
Derek: [indignant] “NO!”

[…]

Derek: [hangs head] “yes”
Scott: [sighs] “Maybe we can ask for people to submit abstracts. We haven’t done that for a while.”
Derek: [brightens] “Exactly what I was thinking! Great idea! Now, let’s eat lunch.”

It has been almost three years since we last accepted abstracts for CMEpalooza and we are long overdue to bring the CE community back into the planning and development process of the CMEpalooza agenda. So, for the Spring agenda (April 6), we are releasing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for anyone to submit an idea for a CMEpalooza Spring session. To be clear, by “RFP” I mean this blog post. We ain’t that fancy.

We will try to keep the process fairly simple. If you have an idea for a session that you would like to lead at CMEpalooza Spring (April 6), just complete the RFP submission form below by the end of the day on Friday, January 28. After February 1, Scott and I will review all the proposals that we receive and select at least five for the agenda.

Here are a few guidelines:

1. This is a virtual conference and all sessions are done via StreamYard. It’s easy.
2. Proposals will only be considered if they are submitted via the RFP submission form below.
3. The deadline for proposals to be submitted is by 9 p.m. ET on Friday, January 28.
4. We are open to pretty much any idea as long as it relates in some way to CME/CE. The more creative, the better. My dream is for someone to propose a musical (this is not Scott’s dream.)
5. Interactive formats with multiple presenters, such as panel sessions and interviews, are encouraged.
6. Please verify the availability of all presenters for the date of CMEpalooza (April 6) before submitting their name in your proposal.
7. We don’t want to limit creativity, so there isn’t a limit on the number of proposals you can submit, but use common sense and be reasonable. We will likely only choose one proposal for which you are listed as the lead contact, so don’t submit 10 proposals or something crazy like that.
8. We will try to notify you within a week of the deadline if your proposal has been accepted or not.
9. If you have any questions, feel free to email Derek (thecmeguy@gmail.com) or Scott (scott@excaliburmeded.com) or find us at the Alliance conference in a couple weeks.

I think that about covers it. I especially want to encourage people who have never presented at CMEpalooza to submit a proposal. We are always happy to have new presenters participate, and now is as good a time as any. The RFP submission form is below. Have fun!

(To the tune of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer)

CMEpalooza
Will be back again next year (Like Arbor Day!)
And if you want to watch it
You will need a laptop near (Or a smart phone!)

None of the other meetings
Have an April 6 start date (Like palooza!)
Also October 19
Write them down and don’t be late (don’t make Scott mad!)

There’s one very special twist
For Palooza Spring
We need your help with this event
Submit an abstract to present

Then how people will love you
Scott and I will shout with glee (Hallelujah!)
CMEpalooza
Will look great on your CV (Like a PhD!)

Be sure to mark your calendars for CMEpalooza Spring 2022 on Wednesday, April 6 and CMEpalooza Fall 2022 on Wednesday, October 19. As mentioned (sung?) above, we will be accepting abstracts to present at CMEpalooza Spring. More details about the process to come later this week.