As a medical practitioner, you’re about finding ways to get more done in less time. Thankfully, CME requirements offer an opportunity to enjoy vacation CME that includes fun and relaxation while learning and earning CME credit.
CME vacations consist of CME conferences in vacation destinations where practitioners can balance meeting CME goals with time to themselves. Among the benefits of in-person CME conferences include learning from medical experts in environments ideal to relax and recharge. 48 US states require* some form of in-person learning to satisfy CME requirements.
Why Take CME Vacations?
Maybe you’re a new doctor or nurse and want suggestions on where to go for a great CME conference. Or maybe you are a seasoned medical professional researching new ways to better spend your annual CME allowance with a CME vacation in 2023. All medical practitioners can benefit from decompressing from the stresses of working in healthcare in any one of these exciting locations.
St. Pete Beach, FL
St. Pete Beach has made a name for itself as a popular haven for conference goers. St. Pete Beach offers all the perks of a classic beach getaway. With its laid-back atmosphere and dazzling natural beauty, this destination is perfect for a restful CME vacation. St. Pete Beach is modestly sized and known for its slower pace and smaller crowds. Still, CME vacationers flock from every corner of the country (and beyond) to take it slow all year round next to serene Gulf waters and quiet stretches of white sand.
If you and your medical colleagues are eager to see the sights after a mornings-only CME conference session, there is no shortage of options in St. Pete Beach. John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk, just 10 minutes from St. Pete Beach, is the perfect way to spend an afternoon, with its 100+ shops and restaurants. Dine on fresh caught seafood and shop boutique retail before making your way back to St. Pete’s Beach.
Witness breathtaking sunsets on the beach before hitting the scenic Gulf Boulevard to choose from the area’s hottest restaurants and bars for your evening activity. Dine surrounded by new friends and RumFish Grill’s floor-to-ceiling aquariums or enjoy a candle lit steak dinner with your conference guest at 1200 Chophouse. Then, dive into a St. Pete Beach nightlife that includes rooftop bars and outdoor dance floors, plus drinks and live music at the water’s edge.
Las Vegas, NV
With 14 million square feet of conference and meeting space, Las Vegas has become a marquee CME vacation destination. Vegas averages 320 days of sunshine per year and less than five inches of rain annually, making it the perfect destination for a CME vacation. Practitioners can trade colder weather and winter doldrums for the world’s unofficial capital of adult gaming, VIP nightlife and resort fun.
But there’s more to Las Vegas than its reputation as a gaming destination. Affordable airfare, professional sporting events and a range of accommodation options make it the ideal vacation CME. Conference goers who wouldn’t have previously considered Las Vegas a place for them are almost certain to find something to enjoy in 2023.
Las Vegas can be romantic too. Spend a day at the spa or treat your loved one to shopping luxury retail in sprawling world-class malls. Then spend the evening enjoying each other’s company dining on your favorite meals before retreating to your elegant suite for two. Stay and play in Vegas your way with CME conferences that range from three to five to seven days.
Vegas has also become a great family destination, as kids will have a hard time choosing from indoor minigolf, arcades, laser tag and other fun activities nearby.
New Orleans, LA
From the food to the nightlife to the art and event scenes, New Orleans attracts conferences from all over the world to provide a one-of-a-kind experience. CME conferences are no different, and between the luxury hotels, adult gaming and renowned nightlife, you’re missing out if you’ve never been.
It’s easy to get swept up in the energy of New Orleans. Experience something new immersed among the French, Italian and African American influences that make New Orleans a unique CME vacation destination for 2023. Practitioners will enjoy recognizable activities including golf and adult gaming but can also partake in conference vacation activities that are totally new. Surrounded by historic architecture, you can enjoy electrifying events like professional sports, art walks, festivals, and jazz music tours all in the beating cultural heart of New Orleans—the French Quarter.
Sarasota, FL
Sarasota is overflowing with fun things to do that cater to the CME vacation needs of families, romantic partners and individual healthcare practitioners seeking something different when earning CME credit. Sarasota’s signature attraction is its beaches and that’s no small feat in a vacation mecca like Florida. Year after year, Sarasota beaches beat out the competition on “best beaches” lists. Practitioners can take the edge off on a CME vacation accompanied by swaying palms, beachside cabanas and their favorite cocktail on a beach that’s earned a reputation the world over.
Sarasota is also a paradise of outdoor activities with golf courses that are as scenic as they are challenging. Kayaking in aquamarine lagoons and world-class sport fishing on fully-loaded charter boats just a couple of the activities in Sarasota.
Sarasota also has a range of accommodation options for conference goers seeking oceanfront views, luxury suites and resort stays.
How to Choose a CME Vacation
When looking for the ideal CME vacation destination for your next conference, consider what environments appeal to you and what leisure activities you want to enjoy. The best vacation CME destinations will offer year-round getaways while providing a little something different to travelers during each season.
Conference schedules can also heavily influence destination and itinerary. CME Seminars offers mornings-only conference schedules for more downtime. We also offer varied conference lengths ranging from 3 to 5 days, so you can fit a destination conference into your schedule and enjoy the CME vacation you deserve.
When selecting vacation CME consider:
- Time of year/season
- Destination
- Recreation options available
- Conference schedule
- Conference venue
- Conference length
*As of 2023