What unprecedented times we are living in; personally and professionally.  As President of South Central Association of Blood Banks, I know you share my concern that the impact of this pandemic will have on our member based organizations.  How will furloughs, layoffs, travel bans, etc. impact our gatherings, educational programs, networking and professional development going forward?

At South Central, the Board of Directors has voted to move forward with their Annual Meeting & Trade Show; changing the dates to August 27-29 of this year.  The Annual Meeting will be presented 100% in a virtual format.  Virtual meaning, online.  Our Central Office team has been working diligently to create a program, virtually delivered, that is educational, engaging, fun and informative.  In other words, not your standard Webinar.

On behalf of the SCABB Board, I would like to extend to each blood bank association, the ability to attend ENGAGE Online, the SCABB Annual Meeting & Trade Show, at SCABB member rates.  We know that many Association’s have either cancelled or postponed their own Annual Meeting’s due to the challenges associated with COVID-19.  This is why we want to share this opportunity with you and your members so that everyone has the same access to education and networking during this time when we MUST stay vigilant about being informed, aware, and engaged in our industry.

I hope that you will share the attached flyer with your members, as well as the discount code INDIANABB20FULL, which will reflect a SCABB Member Rate for all full meeting registrations for ENGAGE.  Attendees can opt for full day or one day virtual registrations.  A full schedule of events and offerings can be found at www.scabbregistration.org.

SCABB is extending free membership to everyone for the next year if they join by July 30th.  That's a year worth of free SCABBinars (our continuing education webinars - 5 per year) which include PACE and Florida CE Broker credits.  Members get great discounts on other educational opportunities such as Regional Symposiums (virtual and in-person attendance).   Info and the discount code are on the SCABB website (SCABB.org).

Regards,

Barbara J Bryant, MD, MT(ASCP)SBB
President, South Central Association of Blood Banks