Sometimes, destination CME is the perfect way to get a few days to yourself in a laid-back location. But other times, a weeklong conference is a great start to a family vacation! There are lots of family-friendly CME opportunities, as long as you know what to look for and expect once you arrive.
Keep in mind: Your continuing education is the priority during your trip. Check with your employer to make sure it’s okay for you to bring your family. This is especially true if CME money is covering some or all of the cost of your trip. Ensure your kids will be appropriately supervised and entertained while you’re learning. If your partner or co-parent can make the trip, this is probably covered. Otherwise, consider bringing a nanny or trusted babysitter.
What to Look For
When booking family-friendly CME, there are a few important details to consider before choosing a conference or a destination.
The Right CME
Not every CME conference is family-friendly. Some are very focused on active learning over long days, which might be great if you only have a few days to spare. However, if you want to fit in both continuing education and family time, consider more flexible CME schedules. CME Seminars offers mornings-only sessions to balance learning with free time in your destination. We also recommend extending your trip, arriving with plenty of time to settle in and maybe checking out a nearby hotspot before leaving after your conference wraps up.
The Right Destination
Firstly, don’t limit yourself to locations marketed as family-friendly. While these are great destinations for you and your kids, you’re not necessarily planning your typical family vacation. Instead, look for conference venues with great amenities your family can enjoy while you’re in the classroom. This might be a pool or two reserved for kids or a dedicated, umbrella-covered space on the beach with sand toys available to borrow. You’ll still want somewhere that offers a few family-approved activities and lots of restaurants to choose from for the time your family does spend exploring.
Visit St. Pete Beach
CME Seminars hosts most of its CME conferences in St. Pete Beach. This vacation hotspot is great for individuals, couples and families! White sand beaches, watersports and casual restaurants are just a few family-friendly amenities that welcome visitors. Your kids will love:
- Eating surrounded by the 33,500-gallon aquarium at RumFish Grill.
- Playing at TradeWinds Island Resorts’ inflatable water park.
- Exploring Shell Key Preserve, only accessible by boat.
If you have time to extend your trip, Tampa is less than an hour’s drive away. Orlando is a bit further, but both Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World are within a three-hour drive.