Attending a sterile processing conference is an incredible opportunity to learn, network, and stay ahead of industry advancements. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a seasoned professional, maximizing your time at the event can help you bring valuable insights back to your team. With the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association’s 2025 Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, from April 26 to 29, 2025, and local sterile processing conferences approaching, now is the perfect time to start planning.
Here’s your Sterile Processing Department (SPD) Conference Survival Guide to ensure you make the most of every session, speaker, and networking opportunity!
1. Set Clear Goals Before You Arrive
Ask yourself:
✅ What do I want to learn?
✅ Who do I want to meet?
✅ How can this conference help my department or career?
Identifying your key objectives will help you prioritize sessions and networking opportunities that align with your goals. If your focus is compliance, look for speakers discussing ST108 and industry regulations. If you’re interested in leadership, seek out management-focused sessions.
2. Plan Your Schedule Wisely
Most conferences release their agenda in advance, so take time to review the schedule. Highlight the most relevant sessions to you, leaving room for spontaneous discussions and networking.
Check Out A Sample of the Presentations at the HSPA's 2025 Annual Conference
- "Sterile Processing Live! Hands-On Game to Optimize SPD Performance" presented by John Kimsey
- "Impact of Pre–Treatment and Restoration (Stain Removal and Descaling) Process Steps On Life Cycle of Surgical Instruments and SPD Efficiency" by Anas Aljabo and Matthias Tschoerner
- "You Down With PPE?" presented by Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski
- Precision Partnerships: Bridging Roles for Seamless Surgical Teamwork by Wanda Brown
- Reducing IUSS Usage by Sussie Acheampong
For example, at SoCal SPA’s Spring Conference, we had a fantastic lineup of speakers, including:
🎤 Tony Bondon (HSPA President): Navigating Your Journey
🎤 Randalyn Herreld (Belimed): ST108: What Does My SP Team Need to Know?
🎤 Michele McKinley (Steris): Types of Soil & Methods for Removal
🎤 Sarah B. Cruz (Sponsored by Solventum): Implementing Best Practices for Chemical & Biological Indicators in Hydrogen Peroxide Sterilization, unaccredited
🎤 Jonathan Chrin (Intuitive Surgical): Keys to a Safe & Cost-Effective da Vinci Reprocessing Program
🎤 Harry Mullen (CSS): Key Challenges in SPD Today -Expert Panel (with special guests!)
Mark your must-attend sessions and be strategic about where you spend your time.
3. Network Like a Pro
Conferences are prime networking opportunities, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here’s how to make meaningful connections:
🔹 Have a game plan – Identify key people you want to meet (vendors, industry leaders, peers).
🔹 Use social media – Engage with conference hashtags and connect with attendees on LinkedIn.
🔹 Don’t be shy! Introduce yourself, ask questions, and participate in discussions.
Bringing business cards (or having a LinkedIn QR code ready) can help you stay connected with the people you meet.
4. Engage with Vendors & Exhibitors
Vendor booths aren’t just about sales—they’re a chance to discover cutting-edge tools and technologies to improve your department’s efficiency. Whether automation, instrument tracking, or sterilization advancements, exhibitors can offer valuable insights and product demos. (Not to mention the SWAG!)
At SoCal SPA’s Spring Conference, they had top industry vendors ready to answer your questions and showcase solutions to help SPD professionals work smarter, not harder.
5. Take Notes & Share What You Learn
With so much information packed into a single day, it’s easy to forget key takeaways. Use a notebook or digital app to jot down:
📌 Key learnings from sessions
📌 Actionable insights to bring back to your team
📌 Questions to research further
After the event, schedule a debrief with your team to share what you’ve learned. This helps translate knowledge into action and makes your attendance even more valuable to your department.
6. Follow Up and Stay Connected
The learning doesn’t stop when the conference ends! Follow up with new connections by sending a quick message on LinkedIn or email. Staying engaged with industry professionals can open doors to mentorships, job opportunities, and collaborative projects.
Additionally, consider joining professional organizations like SoCal SPA to stay informed about future events, workshops, and training opportunities.
Final Thoughts
Attending an SPD conference is more than just a day out of the office—it’s an opportunity to grow your expertise, build connections, and stay ahead of industry trends. By setting goals, planning your schedule, networking, and sharing what you’ve learned, you’ll ensure your time is well spent.
Check back here at Infection Control Today® for all our 2025 HSPA Conference coverage!
