Behind the Scenes of PolicyLab Forum 2022 with Lindsay Capozzi

Have you heard the news? In partnership with AcademyHealth, PolicyLab is hosting an exciting forum May 9-10 in Philadelphia!

Under the theme “Bridging New Partnerships, Creating Change,” PolicyLab Forum 2022 will convene leaders in children’s health from the Pennsylvania region and Washington D.C., for a local and national look at how we can bridge research, policy, and practice to address the most pressing issues facing youth and their families.

Will we see you there? Get your ticket today!

As we head into the home stretch of our planning efforts, we’re talking with Lindsay Capozzi, Communications and Operations Associate, about her role in putting our Forum plans into action!

Q: Tell us about your role in organizing our upcoming forum.

I am managing the logistics and operations of PolicyLab Forum 2022!

Q: It can be pretty challenging to plan an in-person event these days. What’s the biggest hurdle you’ve had to overcome?

Yes, indeed challenging. I think one of the biggest hurdles I’ve had to overcome was navigating this concept of the “unknown.” With today’s current climate, we had to reschedule this event a few times, which meant starting from square one and picking up where we left off. Getting back into the swing of things with planning was tough, but staying organized and working collaboratively to kick off the event has been a huge help.

Q: How has this event planning process expanded your skill set or contributed to your professional growth??

This is my first large-scale event that I’ve had a hefty hand in planning, so I am learning something new every day! This event is certainly strengthening my leadership skills, as I am leading our Forum Logistics Committee and overseeing various processes. The Forum has also expanded and fortified my organization and communications skills, and has pushed me to take on tasks and roles that I have not worked on or held before.?

Q: For an event of this size, there must be a team of folks contributing to the planning process. What kind of teamwork is involved across the center to pull this off?

Our Forum Logistics Committee consists of team members who all have a hand in planning the event. For example, we have team members who are managing our event budget, assisting in developing the design materials for the event, creating centerpieces, organizing folks’ accommodations, and beyond. We also have PolicyLab team members serving as Session Chairs who are working to develop our exciting?sessions and interface with our terrific speakers, as well as colleagues who will serve as volunteers, who will help out with activities like directing folks at the Kimmel Center, working the registration table and more.

Pulling this event together is certainly a huge team effort, and it could not be done without the incredible colleagues who are dedicating their time to ensure the success of this event.

Q: There’s still a lot of planning ahead of us. What are you most eager to tackle next??

I am very excited to work on developing our app for the Forum. Attendees will be able to utilize this app to access our full agenda, learn about the speakers who are presenting, network with peers and colleagues, & more! We plan to launch this app in April.

Q: What are you hoping attendees take away from their experience at the forum?

Since we are hosting this event in-person, I hope attendees will get the most out of the networking opportunities we are offering with speakers and other attendees. For me, networking is one of the most enjoyable aspects of a conference, and I think it’s something many of us have missed during the pandemic. ?

Q: You’ve had a glimpse into the offerings of our amazing caterer. What’s the menu item you’re most excited about tasting?

Great question! I’m very excited to try the smoked eggplant hummus, which will be offered during our reception on Day 1.