How to Navigate the AACR Annual Meeting as an Early-career Researcher

April 13, 2026 by

By AACR Associate Member Council members, 2025-2026

Attending the AACR Annual Meeting is a defining moment for early‑career researchers in the field of cancer research. The meeting offers an opportunity to be immersed in cutting‑edge discoveries, meet potential collaborators and mentors, explore career development opportunities, and gain a view of the broader cancer landscape. Yet with thousands of participants, overlapping sessions, and nonstop opportunities, the experience can feel as challenging as it is inspiring.

Scientific expertise may get you through the door, but your transferable skills will dictate what you gain from the meeting. Transferable skills, also known as soft skills, are the abilities one develops professionally (during research training, for example) that can be applied across many career paths, including academia, industry, science policy, communication, and leadership roles. These include skills such as scientific communication, project management, collaboration, critical thinking, networking, and relationship building. When you prepare intentionally, communicate with confidence, and navigate the environment with purpose, a large conference becomes far more than a learning event—it becomes a catalyst for professional growth.

This guide, prepared by the AACR Associate Member Council, compiles advice and practical tools to help early‑career researchers approach the Annual Meeting with clarity and intention.

Members of the AACR Associate Member Council, which is made up of made up of graduate students, medical students and residents, and clinical and postdoctoral fellows, at the AACR Annual Meeting 2025.

The Navigation Process

Imagine the AACR Annual Meeting as a sprawling, bustling metropolis, full of opportunity, yet easy to get lost in without a map (plan). With over 22,000 participants each year, it can feel overwhelming at first. Across scientific and poster presentations and career development opportunities, the meeting offers a dynamic landscape. Your transferable skills are your navigation tools, and this guide is your personalized travel plan for making the most of your visit.

Preparation as a Transferable Skill: “Charting Your Map Before Leaving Home”

Before traveling to a new city, you decide which neighborhoods to explore, what landmarks you want to see, which locals you hope to meet, and even what you will wear. In the same way, we recommend starting by setting clear goals by building your itinerary.

To do this, review the AACR Annual Meeting resources website and begin mapping out the “districts” of this immense scientific city. Utilize the Online Itinerary Planner, printable PDF guide, or AACR Annual Meeting App to find and schedule scientific talks, Professional Development Sessions, and networking opportunities that align with your interests. Be sure to also mark key “landmarks” by identifying attendees or laboratories you want to connect with to support your personal and professional aspirations.

Secondly, we recommend that you prepare your introduction or elevator pitch in advance. This preparation will be critical to making a lasting impression in serendipitous encounters with prospective mentors or colleagues.

As you build your meeting itinerary, be mindful of the physical layout of the Annual Meeting. Events are often distributed between the main convention center and surrounding hotels, which can require significant travel time between sessions. Planning ahead with location awareness ensures you can move efficiently between scientific sessions, Networking Hubs, and career development events without missing key opportunities. Treat these locations as different districts of your scientific city and map your route accordingly to maximize both your time and energy.

Tips for Planning Ahead:

  • Define clear goals before the meeting (science, networking, career exploration).
  • Build a personalized itinerary using the AACR Annual Meeting App or Online Itinerary Planner.
  • Identify key “landmarks” (people, labs, sessions) you want to engage with.
  • Prepare and practice your elevator pitch.
  • Be aware of event locations across venues (e.g., San Diego Convention Center and nearby hotels) to optimize your schedule.

Networking With Confidence: “Talking to the Locals”

A city becomes richer when visitors talk to the people who live and work there. Don’t be afraid to start conversations with your fellow researchers and oncologists at cafés or plazas. At the Annual Meeting, you can meet new people everywhere, including the Exhibit Hall, while waiting for your coffee, on your way to the next Plenary Session, or the Networking Hubs. You can also take advantage of Professional Development Sessions hosted by the AACR Associate Member Council, Minorities in Cancer Research Council, Women in Cancer Research Council, and Science Education and Career Advancement Committee, which are designed to create welcoming spaces for early-career researchers to connect, learn, and engage with leaders across the field. Then, by relying on your prepared map and asking thoughtful questions, you show genuine curiosity about their work.

Be ready to introduce yourself by using your rehearsed elevator pitch, having a couple of business cards, or using apps that allow you to exchange contact information. When you return home, follow up on your conversations with contacts via personalized messages. By staying connected, you can turn brief chats into relationships. Networking is an essential transferable skill that is extremely important for early‑career researchers, as it allows you to translate good communication and curiosity into future opportunities.

In addition to scientific sessions and networking events, early‑career researchers should prioritize attending the AACR Cancer and Biomedical Research Career Fair on Saturday, April 18. This event offers direct access to recruiters, academic institutions, industry representatives, and nonprofit organizations. It is a unique opportunity to explore diverse career paths, engage in meaningful conversations, and expand your professional network beyond your immediate research area.

The AACR Cancer and Biomedical Research Career Fair is a great networking opportunity for early-career researchers at the AACR Annual Meeting.

Tips for Networking:

  • Be proactive: start conversations in both formal and informal settings.
  • Use your elevator pitch to introduce yourself clearly and confidently.
  • Ask thoughtful questions to show genuine interest.
  • Leverage Networking Hubs, career events like the AACR Cancer and Biomedical Research Career Fair, and exhibitor spaces.
  • Exchange contact information and take notes for follow-up.
  • Follow up after the meeting to turn conversations into lasting connections.

Presenting Yourself and Your Science: “Becoming a Guide in the City”

At some point, you become a tour guide for your family and friends through your own corner of the city. One way to do this at the Annual Meeting is to present a research poster, as if you were hosting visitors at your small exhibition booth. Keep in mind that not every visitor will know what you are talking about; that is why you need to tailor your explanations, like adjusting your tour based on whether the visitor is a local historian, an architect, or a tourist. At the Annual Meeting, your visitor can be an undergraduate student, a Nobel Prize winner, or your colleague’s son. Whatever the case, make sure your language adapts to them and their level of understanding.

If you are lucky enough, and someone asks a tough question, the best thing to do is to stay calm and professional and answer to the best of your knowledge. It is also okay not to know the answer and to use these instances as an opportunity to be curious and learn. By developing your presence and demonstrating clarity in your work, you will strengthen your ability to represent your work and your own corner of the city appropriately.

Tips for Presenting:

  • Tailor your message to different audiences (experts, peers, nonspecialists).
  • Communicate your science clearly, concisely, and confidently.
  • Stay professional and composed when answering questions.
  • Embrace difficult questions as learning opportunities.
  • Use your poster or presentation to build visibility and credibility.
When presenting a poster, it is important to stay calm and to speak clearly with confidence.

Managing Energy: “Finding Rest Stops and Recharge Stations”

No traveler explores a city sunrise-to-midnight without breaks. By choosing sessions wisely, you will be selecting the most meaningful attractions and topics of interest. At the Annual Meeting, similar to traveling, you need to build in pauses and sometimes stop for coffee or fresh air. Take advantage of this moment and visit a local gift shop, museum, or attraction. Remember, you are in a new city with many opportunities for exploration. This year, the AACR Annual Meeting takes place in the stunning city of San Diego. Take advantage of this amazing location with almost perfect weather and great ambience.

Another extracurricular option during the meeting is to join AACR members, other Annual Meeting attendees, and local runners during the AACR Runners for Research 5K Run/Walk. All proceeds from this event will go towards advancing AACR’s mission to prevent and cure all cancers. By joining the “Early-career Associate Members” Running Team, you will get the chance to interact with peers while cheering and warming up before the run/walk.

Your travel experience is better when you pace yourself. Make sure to balance productivity with well-being to make the meeting more enjoyable.

Tips for Managing Energy:

  • Prioritize sessions that align with your goals—don’t try to attend everything.
  • Schedule breaks to recharge physically and mentally.
  • Take advantage of the host city to relax and reset.
  • Participate in wellness or social activities (e.g., group runs, informal meetups).
  • Maintain a sustainable pace to stay engaged throughout the meeting.
One option for taking a break during the meeting is to pet the therapy dogs in the Exhibit Hall.

Leveraging the Meeting for Long-term Growth: “Bringing Home Souvenirs and Creating Future Plans”

The best trips don’t end when you leave. The insights, connections, and ideas become part of your life afterward. Exploring career paths, for example, is like discovering different neighborhoods and cultures within the city. In addition, engaging with exhibitors is like visiting professional markets and trade districts. Another practical piece of advice when visiting the AACR Annual Meeting is to leverage social media outlets. By using LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, etc., you can share your travel experiences with your community.

For scientific sessions you may have missed, on-demand recordings will be available on the virtual meeting portal through October. Be sure to use the platform to access sessions that interest you but might overlap with another activity that you wish to attend. The Annual Meeting is a springboard for sustained scientific knowledge and professional development.

Tips for Career Growth Post-meeting:

  • Reflect on key insights and how they apply to your research or career.
  • Explore diverse career paths through exhibitors and career-focused events.
  • Use social media to share experiences and expand your visibility.
  • Revisit recorded sessions you couldn’t attend live.
  • Follow up with contacts and nurture new professional relationships.
  • Turn short-term interactions into long-term collaborations and opportunities.
  • Be mindful when visiting exhibitor booths—brochures, handbooks, and giveaways accumulate quickly, so plan your baggage space accordingly.

From Attendance to Impact: “Leaving the City With Purpose and a Plan to Return”

As you head home, you will realize this trip changed how you see your scientific journey. You didn’t just visit the city, but you learned to navigate it. And next time, you’ll step in with even more confidence. Make sure to keep those connections and follow up with the great people you’ve met to turn contacts into real relationships and opportunities. The AACR Annual Meeting is a critical stop on a long, rich career journey!

Finally, Don’t Forget To:

  • Approach the meeting with intention, curiosity, and openness.
  • Use transferable skills to maximize your experience.
  • Stay connected with the people you meet.
  • Carry forward the knowledge, inspiration, and opportunities gained.
  • View the AACR Annual Meeting as part of your long-term career journey.