2026 ISMPP Academy Returns to Philadelphia

The 2026 ISMPP Academy brought medical publication and communication professionals together in Philadelphia on September 29–30 for two days of practical education, collaboration, and connection. With its limited-attendance format and highly interactive sessions, Academy provided opportunities to explore shared challenges, exchange ideas, and build skills applicable to everyday work.

“Small Group. Big Impact.” captured the spirit of a program designed to bring professionals at all experience levels into the conversation. From strategic publication planning to AI-driven changes in scientific communication, this year’s agenda paired emerging topics with hands-on learning.

AI is changing how scientific content is created and discovered.

The program explored AI from two complementary perspectives: its role in manuscript development and its influence on how audiences find scientific information. “Evolution of the Manuscript in the AI Era: New Processes and Responsibilities” addressed changing publication workflows, while “If AI Doesn’t Include Your Content, Does It Exist?” focused on making science discoverable in an increasingly AI-driven environment. Together, these topics brought attention to the evolving skills and responsibilities of publication professionals.

Effective communication starts with relevance.

Interactive sessions examined how scientific communication can better serve its intended audiences. “Relevant, Usable, Trusted” focused on the scientific communication platform, while “Personalized Engagement: Relevance to Reach” explored approaches to audience engagement. Both topics addressed a central challenge for medical communicators: connecting scientific content with the people who need it.

Strategic planning connects evidence, priorities, and execution.

The ISMPP Strategic Publication Planning Toolkit featured in a plenary focused on practical support for publication planning. Other sessions explored related challenges, including how health economics and outcomes research, real-world evidence, and integrated evidence generation plans come together to demonstrate value. “Coordinating Complexity” addressed simultaneous publication, while a session on communicating upward focused on securing leadership buy-in.

Learning extended beyond the presentations.

Small-group activities and interactive discussions gave participants opportunities to work through challenges with faculty and peers. Member research oral presentations and the poster and networking reception added opportunities to explore colleagues’ work and continue conversations beyond the sessions.

Attendees also received an early look at the new PubsProficiency Learning Program. Its scenario-based approach supports the application of competencies aligned with the CMPP™ domains of Strategy, Implementation, and Ethics, extending Academy’s emphasis on putting knowledge into practice.

Across the meeting program, several priorities offered a foundation for continued learning:

• Preparing scientific content for discovery through AI-driven tools
• Strengthening publication planning and evidence alignment
• Building relevant, audience-centered scientific communications
• Improving coordination across complex publication activities
• Developing the communication skills needed to gain leadership support

Couldn’t attend ISMPP Academy or want to revisit what you learned? Visit the ISMPP Learning Hub to download the following resources from Academy:

• Poster Gallery
• Slide Presentation Archive
• Key Takeaways Compendium (member benefit) – This AI meeting compendium delivers key insights from the plenaries at the Academy Meeting—in a quick, easy-to-read format. Use it to review key moments in seconds, refresh your notes, or share learnings with colleagues.

“Great learning, great conversations, and the best kind of reunion: catching up with former colleagues while making new connections across the medical communications community.”

~2026 ISMPP ACADEMY participant

Thank you to the ISMPP Academy Faculty

In honor of our esteemed faculty for the ISMPP Academy, ISMPP is proud to donate to the Cancer Support Community of Greater Philadelphia. CSCGP uplifts and strengthens people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care.

Program Committee Appreciation

We extend a heartfelt thank you to the 2026 ISMPP Academy Program Committee – Kerri Palo and Melanie Watson, Co-Chairs of the Program Committee, and Alexandra Greenberg-Worisek, chair of the Abstract & Proposal Review Committee, for their leadership in developing highly-regarded content for medical communication professionals in an interactive setting.

In addition, a special appreciation is due to the entire ISMPP staff and particularly Cassie Cobb, ISMPP Education Content Senior Manager, and Deidra Renahan, for her meeting management.

Thank You to our Exhibitors and Sponsors

Thank You to our Champion Sponsors

“Fantastic experience! As a first-time academy attendee, I thought the sessions were perfectly geared to inform and educate attendees at all experience levels, and the workshops were very well designed and highly interactive. The networking aspect of the meeting is probably its greatest power, with the small sessions allowing high levels of interaction and small table workshops made mixing and meeting new people easy.”

~2026 ISMPP ACADEMY participant

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Mark Your Calendar for the Upcoming European Meeting and Annual Meeting!

• European Meeting of ISMPP, 25-27 January 2026, London. Registration closes 12 January
• 23rd Annual Meeting of ISMPP, May 3-5, 2027, Orlando, FL. Registration is NOW OPEN!

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