The major activity of MAPS are the annual conferences. Although MAPS has had a long history of conducting meetings in various major cities within its region, in the recent past the meeting has been held in the Chicago. A central location in the city has been selected to be convenient for MAPS members and family.
The membership has consistently selected a weekend time slot for the meeting. Typically the MAPS board meets on Friday night. The scientific meeting takes place on Saturday and Sunday. The MAPS business meeting is held early on Sunday morning.
Presentations at the annual meeting are primarily selected from submitted abstracts. MAPS has encouraged residents and medical students to participate in the dialogue. In addition, symposia are organized to stimulate lively debate between leading experts in plastic surgery. Keynote lectures on timely topics of interest to practicing plastic surgeons are an important aspect of the meeting as well.
Feedback from participants is usually very positive reflecting the opportunity to exchange ideas, network with fellow plastic surgeons, and encourage the residents and medical students interested in a career in plastic surgery.
