When ENA decided to shake things up with a new format for the final session of Emergency Nursing 2024 in Las Vegas, it did so by bringing out the association stars.
Through videos, interviews and tributes, award recipients and other honorees became the focal point to inspire attendees to close out ENA’s annual conference. The razzle dazzle of the VIP Purple Carpet and a Second Line Band began the transition from Las Vegas to Emergency Nursing 2025’s host city of New Orleans.
“I thought the Celebration at closing was so wonderful. I love the Purple Carpet. It tied in great with the Vegas theme,” said Jamla Rizek, who was featured as a 20 Under 40 recipient. “I honestly felt honored to be recognized.”
Although attendees didn’t know what to expect from the inaugural Celebration, which wasn’t without some hiccups, the overall concept resonated well enough to return for Emergency Nursing 2025 as “Impact: An ENA Celebration” on Sept. 20 to close out things in a city that knows a little something about celebrating.
This year’s Celebration,” emceed by ENA President Ryan Oglesby, plans to feature more honorees who have made a diverse array of contributions to ENA and emergency nursing. The association’s most prestigious awards get their moment in the spotlight. That includes some of the record-breaking 96 Lantern Award EDs and the honorees from the Academy of Emergency Nursing, the Journal of Emergency Nursing and this year’s ENA Connection 20 Under 40 class.
The live announcement of the SIM Wars champion — complete with trophy and championship belt presentation — as well as the ENA election results return to the big stage, too. The Stryker Matinee, an ENA annual conference tradition, is also back with the Emergency Nursing 2025 video yearbook, which will have attendees looking to see if they’ll appear on screen.
Through all the planning for Celebration, unexpected and inspiring moments will send off everyone on a high note after a busy week of learning, networking and fun.
“We learned so much last year and took those insights into our design thinking process so we could come back with an even stronger ‘Celebration,’” said ENA Senior Director of Brand, Marketing and Creative Strategy Denise Wawrzyniak. “We’ve added surprise fill-your-cup moments to help replenish the energy emergency nurses need to take better care of themselves — and have more to give to their patients.”
“Impact: An ENA Celebration” takes place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 20, with the VIP Purple Carpet getting underway at 10:15 a.m.