Recognizing that there is an ever increasing amount of new information that is useful to the general practice of pathology, a series of Specialty Conferences utilizing case material is made available at the annual meeting of the Academy. The objective for these conferences is to show how newly acquired information, recent technical advances and updated concepts are used in the pathological diagnosis of complex cases.

Virtual Slides! - A new feature for Specialty Conferences this year is that, in most instances, a virtual slide for each case, in addition to still digital images and case histories will be available on the website at least a month prior to the Annual Meeting. This will enable attendees to study the slides before coming to the meeting. Paper copies of the handouts for the conferences will not be distributed at the meeting. However, like last year, the complete syllabus with diagnoses will be placed on the website the morning after the conference. These will not be available in advance in order not to give away the diagnoses. In addition, a booklet will be available at the meeting which will have important "take home messages" for each of the Specialty Conferences/panelists.