ACEP ID:
This is a recommended timeline for CME activity planning. Some may vary. Not all of these steps may apply to every program, depending on size, scope, etc. For programs jointly sponsored with ACEP, refer to the current CME Handbook for specific guidelines and timelines.
Time Before Meeting | Task |
12 months (approx) | Once the idea for a meeting occurs, appoint program chairperson and the planning committee. Send national ACEP the General Application form, if not already on file (every 3 years). National ACEP will respond within 30 days. Select tentative sites and obtain proposals. Contact national education representative regarding the specific CME activity for planning input. Confirm site selection. |
11 months | Sign hotel contract. Prepare budget. |
10 months | Conduct a planning meeting and establish checklists for planning assignments. Be sure to include national education representative. Use needs assessment data in the planning process and maintain for CME file. |
9 months | Send a reminder to planning committee members. |
8 months | Finalize program schedule, faculty, learning objectives, and related activities. Include national education representative in all phases of educational planning. Mail faculty contracts and faculty disclosure forms. |
6 months | Select a designer/printer to produce promotional materials. National education representative fills out Form A, Report on Chapter Planning (4-6 months before). |
5 ½ months | Begin working with designer/printer on materials. (Remember to have ACEP CME Approval Coordinator approve draft of brochure and other promotional materials before they are printed.) |
5 months | Begin reviewing faculty materials. |
4 ½ months | Contact faculty not returning contracts and faculty disclosure forms. (Include conflict of interest statement and disclose conflicts or indicate there is no conflict for all faculty in on-site materials.) |
4 months | Order mailing labels. Finalize faculty; resolve any conflicts of interest as required by ACCME and ACEP policy. Chapter completes and sends national ACEP Form 2, Joint Sponsorship of Specific CME Activity, (within 60 days before course). |
3 months | 30 days before printing brochure and all promotional copy, chapter submits promotional copy to national ACEP (national ACEP will fax approval/with any needed changes to chapter within 2 working days). Once approval is received, print and mail brochure. |
2 months | Second mailing of promotional brochures to selected areas. Obtain and begin printing all syllabi materials. Conduct a final site visit. |
7 weeks | Assign meeting rooms to schedule. |
6 weeks | Make hotel reservations for staff, faculty, and VIPs. Order special equipment requested by faculty. Order guides from convention bureau. |
5 weeks | Select shipping company. Order signs for all major activities. Send final letter to meeting registrants. |
4 weeks | Order registration assistance from convention bureau (if needed). Mail final faculty letter with schedule. |
3 weeks | Complete specification sheets for hotel. Complete meal function specifications. Call convention services manager to obtain shipping requirements. |
2 ½ weeks | Prepare shipping labels. Prepare syllabi notebooks or packets. Pack all materials and supplies. |
2 weeks | Prepare faculty checks. Ship materials to meeting site. Arrange for hotel pre-convention briefing. Schedule staff briefing. |
1 ½ weeks | Conduct staff briefing. |
3 days | Confirm boxes are at meeting site. Pack the following materials to take with you:
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1 day | Conduct pre-convention briefing with hotel staff. On-site Implement meeting. Arrange for return shipping. |
After Meeting | |
1 week | Conduct staff wrap-up meeting. |
2 weeks | Process evaluations. Mail faculty thank-you notes. |
3 weeks | Prepare evaluation report and distribute. |
Within 60 days | Send national ACEP signed faculty disclosures, summary of evaluations, final and on-site schedule that includes the conflict of interest statement and disclosure of all faculty, brochure copy, attendance roster, all other promotional copy, needs assessment, outcomes measures, and Letters of Agreement for educational grants from commercial supporters. |