Encore Cliff House Resort, Maine

Meeting Date: September, 2019

Meeting location:  Cliff House Resort, Cape Neddick, ME

Meeting sponsor: Encore Symposiums

Strengths of the meeting: 

Person #1  Location is unsurpassed on beauty.  Speakers were varied in style and were all able to hold my attention.  They used research based evidence.  I apprecate the thumb drive that contains the lectures and cited research studies.  It also included the practice CPC questions for the pharmacology portion.  It was a relaxed environment with a full breakfast every morning.

Person #2 I really enjoyed the entire conference! I have not attended a conference that had such a nice “Meet and Greet” before the week began. Crabcake and duck sliders?! Yum! But, the sole purpose for going was to attend a conference and get up to date information. Which, I did! I will say that 90% of the lectures were very informative, current, and thought provoking. The 10% would really only be related to hearing about the anesthetic implications of an E.X.I.T. procedure, which I hope to never do. It was interesting, but, it didn’t update me on current topics that are relevant to my practice. There were many lectures that truly refreshed old knowledge – who thinks about the intricacies of the uptake and distribution of volatile anesthetics on a regular basis? The Post-Operative Cognitive Dysfunction lecture hit home as I’ve seen it personally. I literally texted my co-workers at our rural hospital every day of the conference to plant seeds in their heads as to how we can improve our practice.

Suggestions for improvement: 

Person #1 The 7am start was a bit early for me, I would prefer 8am.  Without the bonus credit we would still be done by 1:15.  The hotel and Ogunquit were extremely expensive so I wouldn’t attend there again unless I stayed in a neighboring town which would make the 7am start even more of an issue.

Person #2  Just change a couple of the lectures to more current topics – perhaps more opioid free anesthesia information? “Cocktails” to utilize as we trend even further away from opioids? Even more ERAS protocols?

Note from Encore:  Thank you taking the time to share your positive comments and suggestions.  Encore offers a flexible schedule for those who want to begin early and end early and the option to stay later to earn bonus credits.  The 7:00 a.m. scheduled was requested from the majority of CRNAs who prefer an early start to earn more credits or exit early to enjoy the area.Response from Encore Symposiums:

*Note from editor:  The schedule for this meeting and all Encore meetings are posted online and include the 7am start time in the morning.  Likewise, the cost for accommodations is known prior to registering for the meeting.

Value for the money:  

Person #1  Seven of ten only because of the cost of accommodations.

Person #2  I know people complained about the cost of lodging, however, it was worth it! I don’t go to conferences every year so saving my CE money from last year and using that to offset the cost of the lodging was a bonus! Pictures don’t do this place justice.

Testamonial submission from attendee: 

Hi Nancy, Well, you did it again. This was my 6th Encore Symposium and every one has been at a great location. I do have to say that Maine was such a delight and has moved into first place for me. I loved the weather, scenery and the peaceful sounds of the ocean. What a perfect backdrop to hear spectacular speakers who had a wealth of knowledge and information. Love the balance of both Pediatric and Adult focused lectures. Looking forward to my next Encore experience. Thank you for what you do to make these meetings so enjoyable!!! – New England at the Cliff House 2019, Cape Neddick, ME