Welcome! This page provides everything you need to prepare for your Discussion Den session at the 2026 CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting in Seattle that will take place at the Convention Center Summit location. Please review all sections carefully to ensure your session is engaging, compliant, and well-prepared.

Discussion Den Format

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Facilitators: 1– 3
• Audience Size: Approximately 60–80 participants
• Purpose: To foster open dialogue, sharing of experiences, and collective problem-solving on key topics in medical education.

As a facilitator, your role is to guide conversation—not deliver a lecture. Encourage participation, stimulate reflection, and keep the discussion focused yet dynamic.

Audiovisual Setup

There is no built-in audiovisual equipment for this format.

Each room will include:

• Flip chart and markers

You may bring:

• Your own laptop if you wish to show visuals
• Printed handouts for participants

Preparing Your Discussion Den

Tips for a successful group discussion:

• Start with a warm introduction. Briefly introduce yourself, your co-facilitators, and the purpose of the session.
• Disclose relationships. Verbally disclose any financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Engage early. Open with a question or scenario that draws the audience in.
• Ask open-ended questions. Use prompts that invite multiple perspectives and experiences.
• Limit lecture time. Keep your framing remarks concise—your role is to facilitate, not present.
• Foster inclusivity. Encourage quieter voices and manage dominant ones to ensure balanced participation.
• Summarize and conclude. End with 2–3 key takeaways or actionable insights that reflect the group’s discussion.

Session Outline Requirements

Designate a primary presenter for task management for your session materials that are required for the meeting. These materials will be uploaded in the CoASIS Presenter Portal:

1. Session Outline for CME Review
   1. Due: December 31
   2. Task: “Upload session outline for CME review”
   3. Outline must include:
      1. Session title
      2. Facilitator names
      3. Disclosure information
      4. Detailed session outline
      5. Three learning objectives
2. Optional Handouts
   1. Due: January 16, 2026
   2. Task: “Upload handout”
   3. Handouts uploaded here will be made available to attendees through the conference app.

Speaker Checklist

To ensure full participation, please complete the following tasks:

• Accept participation by October 10 (via the CoASIS Portal. Use your MyACOG account email address and password to log in)
• Upload draft session outline for CME review by December 31
• (Optional) Upload handouts by January 16
• Submit speaker information, biography, and photo by January 16
• Register and pay for the meeting
• Book hotel reservations at the Hyatt Regency or Hyatt at Olive 8 (see Travel Tab for details)

Tips for Creating a Strong Discussion Den

A well-structured outline ensures your Discussion Den flows smoothly and maximizes engagement. Consider the following framework:

• Opening (0–10 minutes)
  

• Welcome attendees and introduce facilitators.
• Present the session objectives and context for discussion.
• Set expectations (e.g., “This is a dialogue—please share your experiences!”).

• Guided Discussion (10–45 minutes)

• Present 2–3 key prompts or case scenarios to spark dialogue.
• Use a mix of large-group and small-group questions if appropriate.
• Capture key ideas on a flip chart for visibility.
• Periodically summarize themes to keep the group aligned.

• Synthesis & Wrap-Up (45–60 minutes)
  

• Review the main takeaways and identify practical applications.
• Ask participants to share one actionable idea they’ll implement.
• Summarize final thoughts and thank the group for their contributions.

• Helpful Design Tips
  

• Align every discussion question with one of your learning objectives.
• Build in at least one moment for reflection or peer sharing (“turn and talk”).
• Use storytelling or real cases to prompt engagement.