Making the Most of the ASCO Annual Meeting

May 29, 2015

We present some tips and advice from the editorial board of ONCOLOGY on how to make the most at the 2015 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, including places to go in Chicago, nice spots at McCormick Place, and some recommended presentations and sessions.

Tips for First-Time Attendees:

Wear sneakers for all the walking. Focus on one or two disease tracks. Don’t miss the plenary. Prepare in advance for what you want to see and get there early so you get a seat.

Tips for First-Time Attendees:

Recaps of the day before, if the speakers are good, are most informative. Value quality over quantity. Find someone from home to hang out with and look up your old friends. Be selective. You can’t do it all. Take some time off to wander the city.

Presenters to See:

Jedd D. Wolchok, MD, PhD, will give a presentation at this year's plenary session with data from the CheckMate 067 trial, and on Monday he will present results from the KEYNOTE-001 trial. Photo Â© ASCO.

Presenters to See:

Martine J. Piccart-Gebhart, MD, PhD, will give a presentation this year on clinical trials that incorporate molecular profiling. Photo Â© ASCO/Phil McCarten 2014.

Presenters to See:

Hyman B. Muss, MD, always brings a unique perspective to his presentations. This year he will moderate a panel on research in geriatric oncology. Photo Â© ASCO/Rodney White 2014.

Nice Spots at McCormick Place:

The middle walkway beyond the main entrance is like Broadway in New York City. You’re sure to bump into someone you know.

Nice Spots at McCormick Place:

The fountains are a good place to relax between sessions.

Nice Spots at McCormick Place:

Anywhere with a view of Lake Michigan. Grab your lunch and watch boats sail out of the harbor.

Things to Do in Chicago:

Catch a Cubs' game at historic Wrigley Field or just visit for a tour of the stadium. Image Â© Mike Liu / Shutterstock.com.

Things to Do in Chicago:

Visit the Art Institute of Chicago, which houses more than 300,000 works of art, including paintings by Grant Wood and Edward Hopper. Image Â© MaxyM / Shutterstock.com.

Things to Do in Chicago:

Take a ride along the Chicago River for a tour of the city's magnificent architecture. Image Â© jessicakirsh / Shutterstock.com.

Things to Do in Chicago:

Head to Millennium Park at night to see the 110-ton, 66- × 33-foot Cloud Gate sculpture, also called "The Bean," by artist Anish Kapoor. Image Â© Blanscape / Shutterstock.com.

Things to Do in Chicago:

While at Millennium Park, be sure to also check out the Crown Fountain, an interactive work of art. Image Â© f11photo / Shutterstock.com.