Conferences & networking
Meeting practicing CAAs and program faculty is one of the best ways to understand the profession — and to bring specifics to an interview. Here are the organizations and meetings worth knowing, plus the one thing that matters most before you apply.
Annual (dates TBA — check the AAAA calendar)
Varies by year
The American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants' national meeting — continuing education, exhibits, and the best place to meet practicing CAAs, program faculty, and students. If you can attend one event before applying, make it this.
Official page & current dates →Ongoing throughout the year
State capitols & Washington, D.C.
CAA scope of practice is decided state by state, so advocacy is central to the profession. Following — and getting involved in — the AAAA's legislative work is both genuinely useful and a real signal of commitment in an interview.
Official page & current dates →Varies — many states with CAA practice hold an annual meeting
Your state
States that license CAAs typically have their own academy (for example in Georgia, Ohio, and Florida) that holds meetings and advocacy days. These are the cheapest, closest way to meet CAAs near the programs you're targeting.
Official page & current dates →Anytime — start early
A local anesthesia care team
Not a conference, but the single most valuable thing you can do: most programs expect documented shadowing hours, and a specific observed moment is the strongest material you can bring to an interview. The AAAA and state academies can help you find a CAA to shadow.
Official page & current dates →- Shadow a CAA before you apply — most programs expect it, and it's the most persuasive material you can bring.
- Have a 20-second intro ready: who you are, your background, and why CAA.
- Ask real questions — what makes an applicant stand out, what they wish more applicants understood about the role.
- Follow up within a few days with a short, specific thank-you.
Dates and locations change each year — always confirm on the official event site before making plans.