The Annual Midyear Clinical Meeting is hosted by ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) in the first week of December. The meeting focuses on progressing patient treatment and medication awareness by pharmacists.   It is visited by more than 20, 00 pharmacy experts from 86 different countries, and is hosted at cities such as Las Vegas, Orlando, Anaheim, and New Orleans. 

ASHP PPS travel planning can be hectic if you are not prepared!
We know it can be expensive for the average college student to take a 4-5 day trip out for Midyear to Las Vegas, New Orleans, Anaheim, and Orlando.  It can get costly with ASHP registration, PPS registration, Flight, Hotel, food, etc. 

Flight tips: 
  • Look for flight tickets at least 2-3 months in advance and use tools like the Price predictor on Bing. 
  • This is the largest conference pharmacy conference of the year, chances are these will start getting booked as early as July.  


Hotel tips:   
  • ASHP Midyear Hotels:   Start booking early for a good hotel.  Some ASHP blocked room gets booked out as early as July.
  • Non-ASHP Hotels:  While ASHP offers competitive hotel rates, you don't have to use an official ASHP hotel!  This really depends on your budget. Many students end up staying at other hotels close to the convention center.  Sites like Hotels.com typically have low rates and coupon codes.  
  • Sharing Rooms: If you are on a budget, share a room with your friends/colleagues.  Ideally this will be candidates who are serious about Fellowship/Residency hunting vs. partying for 5 days straight in Vegas.  This will help keep you in the zone, but your call!  (See below about going out/partying)


Flight+Hotel Package (+/-Food&Drinks)
  • Some websites offer great deals when you combine your Flight + Hotel.  Check out TripAdvisor.com since they always offer great deals especially for larger groups of students on a budget.  
  • Some hotels offer free happy hour and appetizers/breakfast through sites such as TripAdvisor.com 

Transportation tips: 
  • ASHP offers shuttles from ASHP-approved Hotels.
  • There are NO shuttles offered from a Non-ASHP hotel!  But you can always get a group on a taxi, or walk.  
  • If you are traveling (shuttle/taxi), make sure you leave early because you have now entered a city full of crazy pharmacists!  :)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)


Do I need to attend ASHP PPS at Midyear, if I am interested in a Industry Fellowship?
We get this question very often.  While there have been a few people who we've heard about getting a fellowship without attending PPS at ASHP, 99% of people must attend.  Unless you have a stellar resume and are super-networked with company employees, this is very hard.

Being on-site give you the best chance of success!  Every candidate brings a different perspective and background. Show off your personality, and your drive for this position.  


Can I go out and party with my friends during ASHP during midyear?  I am spending so much money anyway.
This may sound like a funny question, but this is another favorite.  In cities like Anaheim, it may be easy, but in Las Vegas and New Orleans - not so much.  But to sum up the answer - it is Yes and No.  If you are looking to go out, we suggest you go out a few days before, or a few days after Midyear and ASHP PPS is over.  

Everyone is different and while you can go out during the interview process - it can be difficult to manage even for the best of us.  You know yourself the best, if you can get back by 12am that may work for you (10pm or 2am for others).  Remember you have to get up ready to go at 8AM and some interviews will last until 4PM.  (This is a 3-4 day process).  

Additionally, presentation is everything at ASHP PPS.  You do not want to seem tired, look tired, or "not there."  Everyone is different, but our advice is to stay on the side of caution.  You don't want to mess up all the hardwork, planning, and money for one night you can wait to have.


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