AMSA Convention

The AMSA National Convention, commonly known as Convention, is an event organised by the Australian Medical Students' Association. It is held annually, rotating around all states of Australia, and takes place from the first Sunday in July for one week. The Convention is open to all Australian and New Zealand medical students. The 2010 Convention is being held in Hobart, Tasmania, which will be the 51st Convention.
Academic
The academic program consists of four days' worth of speakers, discussion panels and workshops. The Academic program generally runs on the Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of Convention week. Speakers are usually related to the field of medicine, however in recent years Convention has broadened its horizons, with sports stars, celebrities and motivational speakers all featuring in the Academic program. The Academic program also takes a particular focus on issues relating to medical students; such as student numbers, intern training and student wellbeing. Notable speakers in recent years have included Prof Vinay Kumar, Dr Charlie Teo, Prof Ian Frazer, Prof Nick Talley and Dr Simon O'Connor. Other highlights of the Academic program include the National Debating Competition, Emergency Medical Challenge and Research Competition.
Social
The night, or social program consists of seven themed parties somewhere in the host city. Five of these events are at a pub or club, one is the Pub Crawl, and the other is the Grand Ball. Costuming is a key element of the Social Program, so seasoned Conventioneers eagerly await the release of Social Themes in the months leading up to Convention and begin planning costumes as early as possible. Another well-known tradition is the Hawaii 5-0 dance.
Sports Day
Sports Day is generally held on the Wednesday of Convention week, and is an opportunity for intervarsity competition. The events on Sports Day are highly prestigious, with competition being taken very seriously by the participating students. Activities on Sports Day include: the Emergency Medical Challenge (a scenario-based first aid competition), Tug O War, the Pipps Cup (boat race for ladies) and the Cascade Cup (boat race for gentlemen). Sports Day is an opportunity for delegates to mix and interact in a more relaxed environment, without the pressures of the Academic or Social program. Sports Day is usually held in a park or arena, adding to the carnival atmosphere.
Timeline
Convention for each year begins with the opening of Registration, usually around the end of March. Prospective Conventioneers register online for the opportunity to attend Convention, with there being approximately 800 places available, however this varies year by year. Each University has a number of reserved spots for their delegates, with the balance being allocated on a first come, first served basis. From this point, information is gradually released to the delegates via the Convention website, with Social themes and keynote Academic speakers being eagerly anticipated. Convention then begins on the first Sunday in July, with the Academic program on the Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; Sports Day on the Wednesday; a free day on the Saturday with the Convention finishing the following Sunday.

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