Editorial: Ready to Return to Normal

The world has endured another year of COVID, and you, the EMS practitioner, have remained steadfast in your courage and commitment to the communities you serve. Here at EMS World we have worked hard to provide you with the best evidence-based clinical information on COVID while also keeping you up to date on all the other important stories, new treatments, and events shaping the delivery of emergency medical services.

We have also taken the time to meet with you as much as possible, to listen, and to hear what you need from us. The overwhelming response has been clear: You are ready to return to normal, and you need that unique connection with your fellow clinicians that can only occur in person. We have heard you loud and clear, and we are pleased to announce that EMS World will be returning to an in-person conference in Atlanta this October. 

With more than 180 expert presenters, EMS World Expo will provide you with the key information, education, and networking you need to grow, develop, and, most important, recharge as an EMS practitioner. This year Expo week will include over 25 preconferences on Monday and Tuesday, followed by eight tracks of content for EMS practitioners at all levels, from the new graduate to the seasoned veteran and the CFR to the attending emergency medicine physician.

Here are but a few examples of the content you can see during the preconferences: Our partners at NAEMT will be hosting the annual World Trauma Symposium; FlightBridgeED will be offering its renowned Advanced Concepts in Critical Care transport and mechanical ventilation workshops; and the Handtevy Prehospital Pediatric Instructor Course will be offered, along with the Mobile Integrated Health Summit.

Wednesday through Friday, during the main conference sessions, there will be a leadership curriculum in collaboration with IAFCCP; a Critical Care track powered by FlightBridgED; and an Educator track sponsored by iSimulate—and that’s just the beginning. Attendees will have access to dozens of hours of CAPCE-accredited CE courses to keep your mind and skills sharp.

We do recognize that not all of you are ready or able to travel. For those unable to be at the conference in person, we have a home for you as well: EMS World Expo will be using parent company HMP Global’s internal proprietary platform, VRTX, to live-stream select sessions in the BLS, ALS, Operations/Management, and Educator tracks. These sessions too are available for CE credits. 

This year more than ever, EMS World Expo is your place to learn from the world’s experts, connect with your fellow EMS practitioners, and recharge your batteries. We are looking forward to seeing you this year at EMS World Expo. To learn more about EMS World Expo 2021, go to www.emsworldexpo.com. 

Best wishes and safe travels!

Joshua D. Hartman, MBA, NRP, is senior vice president of the Public Safety Division of HMP Global. 

Nicholas Miller, MS, NRP, is senior program and content manager for EMS World.