Maximize Your AORN Expo Experience: Explore the AORN Periop Community

At the heart of the Expo experience is the AORN Periop Community, a vibrant destination where you can connect with fellow members, discover valuable resources, and take part in engaging activities that enhance your AORN journey.

The AORN Community includes:

• Community Hub
• City Hall
• The Library
• AORN Academy
• Movie Theater
• AORN Store
• Travel Center

Each space reflects AORN’s mission to advance patient safety, support professional development, build community, and drive innovation. Here's more you can explore:

The AORN Community Hub: Connect and Belong

The Community Hub is your central gathering spot to connect with other perioperative professionals, explore member benefits, and experience what it truly means to be part of the AORN community.

Ways to Get Involved:

• Community Track: Join the fun and explore different AORN areas as part of an interactive scavenger hunt. Once you have completed your ticket, drop it off in the Community Hub and spin the wheel for exclusive Expo swag. You’ll also be entered to win the grand prize of $500 cash! Try out all the tracks for more chances to win.
• Periop Portraits: What moment defines your perioperative nursing journey? You have a story, and we want to hear it. Capture your AORN pride by snapping a photo with the polaroid camera and share your journey by posting it on the board so we can see what our periop community looks like.
• Membership Help Desk: Get all of your membership questions answered and unlock exclusive member benefits.
• ESG Efforts: Learn about AORN’s sustainability initiatives in partnership with Practice Greenhealth.
• Can You Relate? Connect with fellow nurses by identifying shared experiences in perioperative care.
• AORN Chapters: Mark your location on the world map and see the global impact of the AORN community. AORN is proud to be a global network of perioperative professionals. With 200+ local chapters and five international chapters, this is a coveted opportunity to bring together a globe spanning network.
• Coloring Wall: A creative space to learn about the AORN Mentorship Program and how it can help you grow in your career.

Why Visit?

• Strengthen your professional network
• Engage with like-minded peers
• Tap into valuable AORN resources

City Hall: Your Membership Dollars at Work

City Hall brings together AORN advocacy, leadership, and philanthropic efforts – all driven by your support and engagement.

• Greenery Wall: Donate to the AORN Foundation and add a flower to the tribute wall to symbolize your support.
• Foundation Help Desk: Get information on scholarships, grants, and ways to give back.
• Government Affairs Help Desk: Learn about AORN’s advocacy efforts and how you can be a part of the work being done.
• BOD/NC/FAORN Meeting Area: Network with influential AORN leaders and learn how your vote impacts the future. Make sure to cast your vote for the 2025-2026 leadership by the end of the day on Monday, 4/7.

Why Visit?

Discover how AORN is advancing perioperative nursing – and discover ways you can be part of the change.

Library: Expand Your Perioperative Knowledge

For decades, AORN has led in the way in perioperative education. The library is your space to pe into the latest research, share your voice, and stay informed. Opportunities to Learn & Share:

• AORN Journal & The Stitch: Your voice. Your impact. Learn how to contribute your expertise to the AORN Journal and The Stitch, both offer opportunities to contribute and help shape the future of safe surgery.
• Lounge Area: Relax and browse the latest editions of AORN Journal and Outpatient Surgery Magazine.
• Publications Kiosk: Explore The Stitch, a community-driven resource for early-career nurses.
• AORN Mobile App: Test drive the revamped AORN mobile app at one of the iPads to see all of the resources available to you at your fingertips.

How Can You Get Involved?

• Meet the AORN Journal Editor-in-Chief, Editorial Board members, The Stitch editors, and series coordinators to learn about opportunities to contribute.
• Explore the range of ways you can participate—from writing and reviewing to sharing your experiences in an interview.

Why Visit?

Stay current with the latest research and find opportunities to contribute to AORN’s publications.

AORN Academy: Elevate Your Career

The AORN Academy is your launchpad for learning, development, and career advancement—no matter your career stage.

Take the Next Step in Your Career:

• Level Up: Identify your career stage and discover tailored AORN resources to help you grow at every stage of your career. Drop a bouncy ball in the tube that matches your career stage and take a ribbon to attach to your conference badge.
• Game of Periop Life: Navigate an interactive game showcasing real-life career scenarios for perioperative nurses. From clinical practice questions to life events, you’ll be tested on the twists and turns of your perioperative career.
• Salary Calculator: Compare salaries based on job title, experience, and location. Use this information to negotiate your next raise.
• Professional Development: Meet with AORN’s Senior HR professional, Marcy Cozzens, and get valuable tips & tricks for your career or attend one of the career development workshops on Saturday or Sunday.
• Design & Construction Toolkit: Learn how AORN’s resources support the creation of safe surgical spaces by building your own OR.

Why Visit?

• Continuing education, certification support, and hands-on learning.
• Interactive tools and resources including the Career Center and Salary Calculator.
• Fun and games at the Level Up tubes and the Game of Periop Life.

Theater: (candidate videos)

Sit back, relax, and get to know the candidates who are vying to lead AORN forward. Afterward, cast your vote online or directly in the app.

• AORN Store: Take a piece of the AORN experience home with you by visiting our Gift Shop. Whether you're looking for souvenirs to commemorate your time at the conference or thoughtful gifts for colleagues and loved ones, you'll find a perse selection of items to choose from.
• Travel Center: (Information & Housing for AORN Expo 2026 in New Orleans, AORN IT Help desk) Here you can get tourist advice from Meet Boston and book your hotel reservation for next year’s conference in New Orleans. If you are looking for IT assistance on the Expo App or the AORN website, AORN’s IT team will be located here to assist you with any issues you may be having.

Why Engage with the AORN Community?

The AORN Community is your gateway to connection, inspiration, and professional growth—offering experiences that last long after Expo ends. Whether you want to deepen your knowledge, expand your network, or explore the future of perioperative nursing, the Periop Community is the place to be.

Visit each activation, take part in interactive experiences, and leave the Expo empowered with new knowledge, connections, and inspiration to elevate your perioperative nursing practice.

Ready to get started? Make the most of your Expo experience by ping into the AORN Community in the North Lobby.