AAPath 2027 Winter Executive Leadership Meeting
For Department Chairs and Administrators
Dates: January 15–18, 2027
Location: Terranea Resort, Palos Verdes, California
Registration deadline: Tuesday, December 1, 2026
Fees: $1,150 per attendee · $500 per guest
Format: In-person only; not recorded
About · Schedule · Who Can Attend · Registration · Activities · Hotel · Cancellation · Sponsorships
About the Meeting
Formerly known as the “Consolidated Regional Meeting” of AAPath’s four regions (West, Midwest, South, and Northeast), the AAPath is pleased to debut the AAPath 2027 Winter Executive Leadership Meeting for Department Chairs and Administrators on January 15-18, 2027. We are returning to the Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes, California (southwest of Los Angeles and west of Long Beach)!
The Winter Executive Leadership Meeting for pathology department Chairs, Administrators, and up to one other designated departmental representative (Vice Chair or another APEX member) is designed for an intimate experience of networking and strategic discussion. The format features both large and small group discussions to foster a dynamic, engaging environment for strategic and productive conversations. To encourage inclusive and open dialogue in this executive leadership meeting, the Chatham House Rule will be followed: participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.
The theme for this meeting is Workforce Development as it relates to the core mission areas of academic departments: practice, research, and education.
Topics and speakers/moderators are selected through a crowd-sourced model, drawing on input and volunteer interest gathered during the registration process. In addition, late-breaking, high-priority topics identified by Pathology Department Chairs and Executives may be added during the meeting. For reference, topics from the January 2026 meeting included:
- Implementing and Preparing for Digital Pathology & Artificial Intelligence
- Leadership in Education and Training
- Advocating for the Academic Department
- Faculty Recruitment and Development
Schedule
View the Preliminary Schedule (PDF)
Last updated September 25, 2026. This schedule is subject to change.
- Friday, January 15: Early evening welcome reception for all registered attendees and registered guests (non-meeting participants)
- Saturday, January 16 & Sunday, January 17: Breakfast for registered attendees, followed by break-out discussion sessions capped off by high-level report-outs to the larger group in combined plenary sessions. Optional group recreational and wellness activities in the afternoons are being planned. Sign-ups will be organized later this fall.
- Monday, January 18: Full group debriefing reflection and farewell breakfast.
Who Can Attend
This is an in-person only event. There is no remote participation option and the events will not be recorded.
Registration is open only to:
- Current Department Chairs
- APEX members
- Up to one other designated departmental representative (e.g., Vice Chair or APEX Affiliate member) who would be most relevant to the workforce development theme
Registering a third representative: The Chair and APEX member must email the AAPath Office at
[email protected] for their third representative to receive access to the online registration form.
Registration Fees
Meeting Registration: $1,150 per Chair, Vice Chair, or APEX member. Includes the welcome reception (Friday evening), breakfasts and breaks (Saturday through Monday morning), and two optional group activities.
Guest Registration: $500 per guest. Includes the welcome reception (Friday evening) and two optional group activities with meeting attendees.
The deadline to register is Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
Optional Group Activities
To enhance the networking and social aspects of the WELM, a variety of recreational group and wellness activities are anticipated for Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Please see the 2027 Winter Executive Leadership Meeting Group Activities document for descriptions of the activities currently being considered. Activity sign up will be provided later this fall to all registrants. Activities are subject to change based on participant interest and weather conditions.
Hotel Information
The hotel reservation link at the group discounted rate will be shared with registrants in the meeting registration confirmation email.
- Core stay: Friday, January 15 to Monday, January 18. Additional nights at the group rate are not guaranteed; they will be confirmed by the hotel and communicated to guests.
- Rate: Starts at $395 per night and a discounted resort fee* of $25 per night, plus taxes, fees, and gratuities ($7/room/night or $9/suite/night).
- Hotel costs are NOT included with meeting registration. Attendees are responsible for their hotel costs, including cancellation penalties.
- A credit card is required to guarantee your reservation at the time of booking.
- Any changes to billing or additional billing instructions must be submitted at least 72 hours prior to arrival.
- At check-in, the resort places a $250 per day authorization hold for potential incidental fees.
*Resort fee includes:
- Wireless internet (5Mbps) for up to three devices in-room and all public space for resort guests
- Two bottles of water placed in-room upon check-in
- Pool chair and umbrella usage
- Exclusive access to the Lexus Experience Amazing Drive Opportunity (see Experience Center for mor details)
- Fitness center access, including daily fitness and wellness classes
- Access to The Links’ short game practice area
- …and much more!
Registration Cancellation & Waitlisting
When your registration invoice is fully paid, your participation in the AAPath 2027 Winter Executive Leadership Meeting will be secured. A waitlist will be established once the first 100 seats are filled. Refunds will be provided if AAPath is able to resell the open seat from a waitlist. Last-minute medical and family emergencies that preclude participation will be considered for refunds on a case-by-case basis with written notification to [email protected].
Meeting and Registration Questions?
Contact [email protected] or call 302-660-0433.
Interested in Sponsoring the AAPath 2027 Winter Executive Leadership Meeting?
Opportunities for different sponsorship levels are available to be visible to academic departmental leadership. Visit the Sponsorship Prospectus (PDF) for details. Interested sponsors should apply through this online form no later than December 1, 2026. Space is limited!
Sponsorship Questions? Contact: [email protected]
AAPath Code of Conduct: Events and listservs managed or held by the Association for Academic Pathology (AAPath) exist for the professional development of members and for the advancement of academic pathology. Members and guests of events and listservs are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism, cordiality and respect. At a minimum, AAPath expects members and guests to abide by local and national laws, and AAPath's General Rules for Antitrust CompliancePDF, when attending or interacting at AAPath events and on AAPath listservs. Read the full text of AAPath's Code of Conduct.
