Aw, this post is sadly ignored. I'll participate.
I think conferences are a great place to catch up on CEs and good current practices in acute care (or not) medicine. I too have been to the same state EMS conference as Summit, indeed we were in the same room, possibly drunk at the same bar, who knows. Here are some details and websites for the conferences in CO for those that are interested and for reference.
Colorado State EMS Conference
Usually in November each year, usually at Keystone resort 70 miles west of Denver up I-70. Only been there once and there were some decent lectures along with some lame ones definitely geared for lower level providers (probably not lame for them, I just wish I got some notice to avoid them).
http://www.emsac.org/conference
Expensive ($200+), I paid an arm and a leg for a sweet condo there... Although the city of Silverthorne is literally a mile and a half away and has a La Quinta Inn that you can get a room at and not pay a silly amount for a condo that you won't use much.
3 days long. Last day is a half day. In winter it can be rough getting up there and getting back but it was not bad at all last year.
Rocky Mountain Trauma Conference
Usually in June every year, again in the mountains at Breckenridge (relatively close to Keystone). Been there twice and there are usually excellent speakers and really informative lectures, has break out sessions into EMS and Hospital sections. I personally think this one tops EMSAC (although EMSAC is more fun).
http://denverhealth.org/ForProfessi...ing/TraumaandEmergencyMedicineConference.aspx
Usually pretty pricy ($200+), especially if you get a hotel room at the resort.
3 days long with an optional 4th day at the beginning that costs more (but you can audit ATLS if you wish).
Airlife Trauma Conference
Usually done some time in the summer. Location varies but generally not too much of a hike from Denver. Decent lectures, had some good ones last year that were OB/Peds related (which I tend to be short on come recert time). Although some lectures were terrible, they had one about triage two years ago that was well thought out but failed in execution.
http://airlifedenver.com/newsroom/ems-conference.dot
Conference is either free or very cheap (it's been a minute so I forget).
Only 8 hours long so not a big commitment there.
Flight for Life - EMS Critical Care and Emergency Symposium
According to Webster's dictionary a symposium is "a formal meeting at which several specialists deliver short addresses on a topic or on related topics"... fun fact that I didn't know but just looked up. Anyway, usually in the Spring. I've never been so I can't provide any opinion to the lectures. Seems like they do their conference out in the boonies of CO.
http://www.flightforlifecolorado.org/EventsTrainings
Not sure of the price
Not sure of the time
I'm not really helpful here.
Children's Hospital Colorado Annual EMS Conference
As guessed this occurs annually, usually at the beginning of the year. Really good lecture topics, excellent speakers. Peds are often overlooked and misunderstood by EMS providers in general so I think this is an excellent lecture to go to. I believe this year was their second year doing it, so far they have stayed in their hospital in Aurora, CO.
http://www.childrenscolorado.org/pro/ems.aspx
Price was cheap or free, I think it was cheap though.
Usually two days long.
Rocky Mountain Stroke Summit
Every year at the beginning of the year for this one. I believe this last one was year two so a pretty new conference. Gives you some free CEs. Food was good, it was a 2 course meal which they brought out to the conference tables. It was so fancy that the food was actually dressed. The lecture? Awful, totally awful. I just about snoozed through the whole thing. They had a break out session for EMS, Hospital and I believe rehab. The EMS section got packed when the lecture about stroke mimics started. The only useful lecture was the stroke mimics lecture, which was well presented and pretty applicable. The rest was just... so bad. Mostly it was talking about stroke center accreditation and some rehab stuff (basically saying that it's useful and underused... duh). I would give this one a skip next year. Although the food was so good that I might endure for the CE hours and food.
http://www.thecni.org/Public/PatientPrograms/Stroke-Aneurysm/RockyMountainStrokeSummit/index.cfm
Totally free. Although they may have to pay me to go back next year.
Only a day long, lasting 7 painful hours with 1 hour of glorious eating.
These are the big EMS conference stuff I know of in CO. If you have stuff from your state throw it up here. It would be nice for people to have a reference to go to when looking for CEs or stuff to read learn about that they may not have yet.
