The American Urological Association (AUA) produces one of the most respected and complex medical meetings in the world—bringing together thousands of clinicians, researchers, educators, and industry leaders each year.

Behind the scenes, that scale creates enormous operational complexity: abstract submissions, peer review, speaker coordination, agenda development, committee workflows, and downstream content distribution—all managed under strict standards of accuracy, governance, and credibility.

As the AUA looked toward the future, its team decided to modernize how it manages speakers, abstracts, sessions, and content by selecting Sessionboard.

This announcement is intended to serve as a practical resource for other medical and scientific associations navigating similar challenges.

Recognizing the Need for Change

Like many large medical associations, the AUA had built a process that worked—but one that relied heavily on manual coordination, disconnected tools, and institutional knowledge held by a small number of team members.

As submission volumes increased and program structures became more complex, it became clear that incremental fixes were no longer sustainable.

“We reached a point where the scale and complexity of our program demanded a more connected, purpose-built system,” shared Katie Phipps, Annual Meeting Programs Coordinator
“We weren’t just managing sessions—we were managing a living ecosystem of speakers, abstracts, reviewers, committees, and content.”

The AUA wanted a platform that didn’t simply address one part of the workflow, but connected the entire lifecycle—from abstract submission through agenda planning and long-term content value.

Where Sessionboard Stood Out

As the AUA evaluated its options, Sessionboard differentiated itself by treating speakers, abstracts, sessions, and agendas as connected assets, rather than isolated workflows.

Instead of forcing the AUA into rigid templates, the platform mirrored how their teams, committees, and reviewers already work—while eliminating the inefficiencies that had built up over time.

Key Differentiators Included

• Native alignment between abstracts, sessions, speakers, and agenda planning, eliminating handoffs between disconnected systems
• Workflow flexibility designed for medical and scientific review processes, including committee- and reviewer-driven decision making
• Reduced reliance on manual tracking, spreadsheets, and email-based coordination, lowering operational risk and staff burnout
• A modern, intuitive interface, making adoption easier across internal teams, reviewers, and collaborators
• A clear and rapidly evolving product roadmap, driven by real customer feedback
• A true partnership mindset, with a team deeply committed to continuous innovation
  
  

“It’s genuinely energizing for our entire team to see how quickly Sessionboard’s roadmap is coming to life,” shares Melissa Goodman, Director, Annual Meeting Program, Convention & Meetings.

“Even during the evaluation process, we saw meaningful enhancements that will have a real impact on how we operate. The pace of innovation, combined with how closely the platform aligns with our needs, made the decision clear—nothing else compares.”

A Long-Term Investment in Program Quality

For the AUA, the decision to partner with Sessionboard was about more than operational efficiency—it was about protecting the integrity and future of one of the world’s most respected medical meetings.

“Organizations like the American Urological Association are stewards of trust, education, and expertise, and that places them at the center of some of the most meaningful advancements in their field,” said Chris Carver, Co-Founder & CEO of Sessionboard.

“Our responsibility is to support the AUA—and organizations like it—with the absolute best technology and service possible, so they can advance their mission and content goals while making their work simpler, more connected, and more resilient as their programs continue to grow.”

By modernizing their speaker, abstract, and content management infrastructure, the AUA has positioned their team to scale with confidence—without sacrificing rigor, governance, or quality.

Guidance for Other Medical Associations

When reflecting on the process, the AUA team emphasized the importance of stepping back and evaluating platforms holistically—not just against immediate needs, but against long-term opportunity.

“This isn’t only about fixing today’s challenges,” the team shared.
“It’s about choosing a best-in-class system that’s truly dedicated to this area and built to evolve alongside your program.”

The AUA encouraged other medical associations to seek platforms purpose-built for managing speakers, abstracts, agendas, and content—rather than tools where these workflows are secondary or bolted on.

“There is a tremendous amount of complexity today, but there’s also a huge opportunity to modernize how these programs operate,” they noted.
“The right platform should support how you work now and help you grow into what’s next.”

They also highlighted the importance of modern technology and user experience.
“This is a real chance to start fresh—with a modern tech stack, a modern user experience, and a team that genuinely understands the space.”

Ultimately, the AUA viewed the decision as a long-term partnership—not a short-term software purchase.

About Sessionboard

Sessionboard is a next-generation platform for speakers, abstracts, agendas, and content management built for modern associations and conference teams. Trusted by leading organizers worldwide, Sessionboard helps teams save hundreds of hours per event, reduce operational complexity, and unlock the long-term value of their content—while integrating seamlessly into today’s event technology stacks.