And yet at all Summits, there is an exhibition hall of sponsors members and summit attendees are asked to visit. The sponsors are there because they have been invited by the AAWC or they have asked and paid the AAWC to participate. It may seem a violation of the organization’s very tenets. But it isn’t and here is why.
On the front lines of wound care in clinical settings across the country and around the world, members need the very best tools available to successfully treat patients under care. It is not possible for individuals or even individual institutions to remain on the cutting edge of all things new in wound care. Having developers and manufacturers of tools, treatments, practices, and devices willing to participate in a Summit helps advance wound care. It enables care providers to do what they do best, confident in the knowledge they have what is new and best.
Removing vendors as sponsors and exhibitors would limit the potential of providing best in class care for patients in need of healing. These opportunities for engagement one-on-one with those most familiar with innovative healing tools are crucial to advance wound care. AAWC Summit attendees and all members can trust that policies prevent inappropriate relationships and can use the time to learn how the newest options can help in the clinic.