Jul 16, 2026

Bright lights, bold ideas!

Welcome to the 2026 AAD Innovation Academy in New York City! Add these key events and featured sessions to your meeting agenda.

This year’s invigorating summer meeting kicks off today in high fashion. Choose from one of three focused sessions, starting at 1 p.m., and read previews of each on DermWorld Meeting News.

Then, at 5 p.m., hear a motivating presentation from keynote speaker Lisa Bodell as well as an opening message from AAD President Murad Alam, MD, MSCI, MBA, FAAD. Cap off day one at the Welcome Reception, located in the Experience Hub.

Scientific programing continues throughout the weekend with these highlights:

Friday

In N001 – Celebrating Excellence: A Duo of Distinguished Talks, the AAD will recognize two distinguished dermatologists — Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD, and John J. Zone, MD, FAAD — for their contributions to the specialty.
Experts will offer first-hand advice in several themed sessions: PRL01 – Pearls: Skin of Color, PRL02 – Pearls: Medical Dermatology, and PRL03 – Pearls: Cosmetic Dermatology.
Last, but not least, get a front row seat at D001 – Derm Tank to discover exciting innovations and see who wins the big prize.

Saturday

Rise and shine for a popular Power Hour session, POH11 – What’s Hot in Pigmentary Disorders.
Throughout the day, get more essential guidance in these subspecialties: PRL05 – Pearls: Hair Disorders, PRL06 – Pearls: Pediatric Dermatology, PRL08 – Pearls: Dermatopathology, and PRL09 – Pearls: Surgical Dermatology.
Fine-tune your social media presence and engagement, complete with real-world examples, in P015 – Media 101: Communicating Your Message and the Specialty with Confidence.

Sunday

Choose from many new Innovation Academy sessions, such as POH16 – Allergens on the Rise: Cosmetics, Medical Devices, and What’s Hot in Contact Dermatitis or POH17 – Thriving in Independent Practice in the Era of Consolidation.
Deepen your understanding of melanoma and hear about recent advancements in P017 – Melanoma.

Outside of sessions, the Experience Hub is the place to be! View scientific posters featuring the latest clinical research, meet with exhibitors, or take the BINGO challenge at the AAD Resource Center, located in booth 331.

Experience Hub hours are: