Breakout Session I
Take a deeper dive into the topics that matter most to your organization. These interactive sessions are designed to share targeted insights and encourage collaborative discussions.
AI Basics: Real-World Site Application
Move beyond theory to practical AI implementation. This introductory session showcases real-world AI applications transforming daily site operations. Sites will share case studies sharing how to implement digital tools for protocol review, amendment comparison, patient recruitment, data management, feasibility analysis, and workflow optimization. Understand how AI augments staff capabilities, identify which applications make sense for your site’s size and resources, and navigate the overwhelming number of options.
Developing Tomorrow’s Investigators
The investigator pipeline is shrinking while trial complexity rises. This panel explores how sites, sponsors, and academic partners are preparing the next wave of investigators through early exposure, mentorship, and practical training. Learn what’s working, where gaps remain, and how to advocate for inclusion of emerging investigators and new sites in feasibility and site selection. Discover strategies for building a sustainable, diverse investigator workforce while addressing sponsor concerns about research-naïve PIs.
Global Advantage: International Site Positioning
International sites face unique visibility challenges in global clinical research. Learn how sponsors make geographic selections and how to position yourself based on regional strengths. Identify your competitive advantages in therapeutic areas, disease prevalence, and regulatory environments, then apply “fit for purpose” positioning that matches your strengths to sponsor needs. Regional leaders will discuss how to use global networks with intent, translating cross-regional relationships into measurable value and visibility.
If Only You Knew: Building Stronger Partnerships
Ever wish sponsors understood your constraints? Or wondered why CROs can’t be more flexible? Each stakeholder faces unique realities that shape how trials unfold, but these aren’t always visible across partnerships. In this candid session, representatives from each group reveal what they wish others knew: outdated rules they’re forced to follow, internal advocacy required for timeline shifts, budget constraints that limit flexibility, and wins after perspectives aligned. After honest dialogue, mixed breakout groups will tackle real scenarios, moving from understanding to co-creating actionable solutions.
Mastering Budget Negotiations: Fair Market Value
Learn clinical trial budget negotiation from the site perspective. This fundamentals-focused session breaks down what successful sites negotiate, how to calculate and justify fair market value, which expenses belong in budgets, and strategies for securing favorable payment terms. Experienced site representatives walk through line-item components, overhead allocation, and current market rates, providing honest guidance on what to ask for and how much. Learn how strategic questioning creates efficiency throughout negotiations and how to advocate effectively while building collaborative relationships.
Myth Busters: GCP R3 Implementation
GCP R3 confusion persists about requirements versus sponsor and CRO interpretations. This session addresses implementation challenges including training requirements, PI oversight, and misinterpretations that delay activation. Learn to distinguish between actual R3 requirements and myths with strategies to push back confidently with regulatory support. Sites with documented SOPs share how they defend their approaches.
Patient Recruitment Tools: One Size Doesn’t Fit All
There’s no universal recruitment playbook. This session focuses on matching recruitment tools and tactics to your site’s capabilities and study-specific needs: when to deploy in-house strategies versus engaging external companies, and how to leverage AI-powered patient matching, social media, prescreening, and other specialized tools. Learn to assess which tactics fit your patient population and resources, present your recruitment plan to sponsors to secure support, and align expectations for successful deployment.
The New Site Playbook: From Zero To First Study
A comprehensive roadmap for new sites navigating their first 1-3 years in clinical research. Learn how to build credibility from scratch, secure that critical first study, develop efficient operations and quality infrastructure, and create sustainable financial models. This session provides proven strategies for business development, financial planning, and leveraging your unique advantages as a new entrant in the clinical research ecosystem.