Free souvenirs, fun conversations at the Public Health Expo

There are basically two ways to visit the Public Health Expo.

You can go in with a game plan that includes the booth numbers of all the exhibitors you want to visit and even which ones to visit first. Or you can wing it and wander the aisles enjoying not only the public health giveaways but also chatting with some of the most passionate public health people out there.

Either way, we promise you won’t walk away empty-handed or disappointed. You can pick up such fun keepsakes as a lobster-shaped stress ball from the University of New England and combination bottle opener/reusable cutlery set from the University of Arizona. But you can also sign a congratulations sign for incoming Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Leana Wen, learn about the work of many key public health agencies like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, and play a giant board game to learn about RTI International’s “Stories of Equity” project.

You won’t want to miss Everything APHA at the back center of the Expo Hall. The membership booth has fun badge ribbons and APHA swag. And even though the line is long, take the time to get your professional headshot taken by one of the most entertaining photographers on the planet. You can also pick up an Annual Meeting T-shirt and public health books at APHA Press, snag fun trivia flash cards and sunglasses at the Get Ready booth, learn about National Public Health Week and hobnob with members of every APHA Section.

Philip Greiner, director of the San Diego State University School of Nursing and former APHA Public Health Nursing Section chair, proudly demonstrated his Section booth’s unique reusable bag giveaway. Visit him at Booth 1289 and see for yourself.

The schools and programs of public health booths run from aisles 600-1000 and feature some great couches for grabbing a rest for your tired feet and fascinating information about public health degrees. Chat with Becky Knight at the University of North Texas Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services booth and she’ll tell you about the school’s new PhD program in Health Services Research. It’s a great example of breaking down silos to put together a degree program based on marketable job skills.

For you social media fans, check out the #APHAPlay2018 page or the “Social Media Contest” tab under “General Information” in the APHA Annual Meeting App. Prizes go out daily to people who visit specific booths and post about it on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

There are far too many fabulous booths to mention here. And fascinating public health research is on display during the poster sessions in the right-hand section of the Expo Hall.

The Expo is open Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

At top, the APHA Membership booth features fun ribbons and other giveaways, and the Georgia Health Policy Center offers peach-shaped stress relievers. Photos by Donya Currie.