Congress of Clinical Rheumatology

What Congress of Clinical Rheumatology does

The Congress of Clinical Rheumatology (CCR), legally operated as A&R Educational Group, LLC, is a private educational conference organization founded in 1983 by Drs. Pam and David McLain in Birmingham, Alabama. The company operates a dual-conference platform delivering CME/MOC-accredited continuing medical education to practicing rheumatologists, fellows-in-training, nurse practitioners, PharmDs, and allied health professionals across North America. Its core products are two annual resort-based conferences — CCR East in Destin, Florida (held at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa) and CCR West in Huntington Beach, California (held at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa) — supplemented by the North American Young Rheumatology Investigator Forum (NYRIF), founded in 2006 to support early-career researchers, and the newly launched First Annual Rheum-Derm Summit in 2026, which extends into cross-specialty rheumatology-dermatology education.

The business generates revenue through two primary streams: tiered conference registration fees (ranging from $0 for certain categories to $585 for full registration) and multi-tier corporate sponsorship packages sold to pharmaceutical and biotech companies (ranging from $0 for verified non-profits to $144,950 for Premier sponsorship, with Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Exhibitor tiers in between). The platform offers hybrid in-person and online attendance, and the conferences are accredited through AcademicCME under joint ACCME, ACPE, and ANCC accreditation, providing 25+ CME/MOC credits per event. Add-on content formats include the Thieves' Market (case-based stumpers), Poster Rounding sessions, and the NYRIF research presentation platform.

CCR serves a two-sided market: on the demand side, a community of 1,300+ annual attendees from 45 states, 14 countries, and 4 Canadian provinces, with an NPS of 84; on the supply side, a sponsor roster spanning essentially every major rheumatology-focused pharmaceutical company (AbbVie, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, GSK, Pfizer, Amgen, BMS, UCB, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, and others). The organization operates with a lean team of approximately 5 employees and is structured as a privately held, founder-led LLC with no external institutional investors, no funding rounds, and no acquisitions to date.

Name

Congress of Clinical Rheumatology

Legal name

A&R Educational Group, LLC

Website

https://ccrheumatology.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Congress of Clinical Rheumatology (CCR) is a private, founder-led CME provider, founded in 1983, that operates two annual resort-based rheumatology conferences (CCR East in Destin, FL and CCR West in Huntington Beach, CA) plus the NYRIF early-career program, serving practicing rheumatologists, fellows, NPs, and PharmDs with accredited continuing education sponsored by major pharmaceutical companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Continuing Medical Education / Medical Conferences

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Medical, Scientific & Healthcare Congress Organizers (THAHACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Healthcare & Clinical Professional Development (CME/CE) (EDAGANAJ), Healthcare & Medical Congresses (MPAGAGAF), Medical & Health Sciences Congresses (THAHAJAA)

Keywords

• Rheumatology conferences
• Continuing medical education
• CME accredited symposia
• Clinical rheumatology events
• Medical specialty meetings

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Conference Registration Fees: Revenue generated from attendee registration fees for CCR East and CCR West annual conferences, with tiered pricing ranging from $0 for certain categories to $585 for full registration. Additional fees for pre-conference summits like Rheum-Derm Summit at $275.
2. Corporate Sponsorship Packages: Multi-tiered sponsorship program with packages ranging from Non-Profit ($0) to Premier Sponsorship ($144,950), Diamond ($89,950), Platinum ($59,950), Gold ($29,950), Silver ($14,950), Bronze ($9,950), and Exhibitor ($4,950). Additional à la carte sponsorship opportunities available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Congress of Clinical Rheumatology (CCR) produces two annual CME-accredited rheumatology conferences — CCR East in Destin, FL and CCR West in Huntington Beach, CA — delivering case-driven clinical education, poster rounding, and the Thieves' Market case format to practicing rheumatologists, fellows, NPs, PAs, and PharmDs. The organization supplements these flagship conferences with the NYRIF research forum for fellows and a newly launched Rheum-Derm Summit bridging rheumatology and dermatology. CCR also sells tiered corporate sponsorship packages to pharmaceutical and biotech companies seeking access to the rheumatology audience.

Product overview

The Congress of Clinical Rheumatology (CCR) operates a dual-conference platform hosting America's Premier Rheumatology Symposium in two locations annually: CCR East in Destin, FL (spring) and CCR West in Huntington Beach, CA (fall). Both conferences deliver CME/MOC-accredited education through practical, case-driven sessions, poster rounding, and the Thieves' Market format. Add-on programs include the Rheum-Derm Summit (a separate cross-specialty CME activity bridging rheumatology and dermatology) and the North American Young Rheumatology Investigator Forum (NYRIF) supporting early-career researchers. The organization also offers sponsorship packages to pharmaceutical and medical device companies seeking engagement with rheumatology professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rheum-Derm Summit: Annual summit bridging rheumatology and dermatology education, featuring team teaching, gamified challenges, and rapid-fire panels on overlap conditions including psoriatic disease, lupus spectrum, scleroderma, vasculitis, and dermatomyositis.

Products and services

• CCR East Annual Conference America's Premier Rheumatology Symposium held annually in the spring at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, FL. Delivers 25+ CME/MOC accredited education hours through international faculty presentations, poster rounding sessions, and the Thieves' Market case format. CCR East 2025 drew 919 attendees from 45 US states, 14 countries, and 4 Canadian provinces, including MDs, PharmDs, NPs, PAs, and allied health professionals. Registration is offered in-person and online/hybrid, priced from $0 to $585 depending on attendee category.
• CCR West Annual Conference West Coast edition of America's Premier Rheumatology Symposium held annually in the fall at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa in Huntington Beach, CA. Offers 25+ CME/MOC credits through dynamic presentations by internationally recognized speakers, attracting rheumatology professionals seeking the same standard of CCR East education with West Coast accessibility. Available in-person and online/hybrid formats.
• Rheum-Derm Summit Cross-specialty CME program bridging rheumatology and dermatology, held as a pre-conference day prior to CCR East and CCR West. Features team-teaching and gamified case challenges led by experts from both specialties, covering five critical overlap disease states: psoriatic disease, lupus spectrum, scleroderma, vasculitis, and dermatomyositis. Earns approximately 5.5-6.0 CME credits. Priced at $275 per attendee for onsite or online attendance.
• North American Young Rheumatology Investigator Forum (NYRIF) Research presentation forum for rheumatology fellows and junior faculty run alongside CCR East and CCR West. Participants present original research or clinical cases to a panel of international rheumatologists, receive detailed feedback, establish professional networks, gain career-path insights, and compete for travel stipends and grants.
• Corporate Sponsorship Packages Tiered sponsorship packages sold to pharmaceutical, biotech, and life-sciences companies for visibility and engagement with the CCR rheumatology audience. Packages range from Non-Profit ($0, IRS verification required) to Exhibitor ($4,950), Bronze ($9,950), Silver ($14,950), Gold ($29,950), Platinum ($59,950), Diamond ($89,950), and Premier ($144,950). Inclusions span booth space, logo placements, sponsored breaks, product theater presentations, lead retrieval, email blast access, registration inserts, virtual booth engagement, and complimentary conference badges.
• CME/MOC Accreditation Services Continuing education accreditation delivered through AcademicCME, a body jointly accredited by ACCME (Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education), ACPE (Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education), and ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center). Issues CME and MOC credits to physicians, pharmacists, and nurses attending CCR East, CCR West, and the Rheum-Derm Summit (25.25 CME/MOC credits at CCR East 2025).

Quantifiable outcome

• Pre-Conference Average Score: 49.15% → Post-Conference Average Score: 88.24% (78% relative knowledge gain)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

36 partnerships are on record, tiered premier, gold, diamond, silver, non-profit, exhibitor, platinum and bronze.

• AbbViepremierGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 September 2026Premier sponsor of First Annual Rheum-Derm Summit West 2026. AbbVie supports cross-specialty rheumatology-dermatology education.
• ArgenxgoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 September 2026Gold sponsor of First Annual Rheum-Derm Summit West 2026.
• Eli Lilly and CompanygoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 September 2026Gold sponsor of First Annual Rheum-Derm Summit West 2026.
• AmgendiamondGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026Diamond sponsor of CCR East 2026 conference in Destin, FL.
• Boehringer Ingelheim PharmaceuticalsdiamondGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026Diamond sponsor of CCR East 2026 conference.
• Eli Lilly and CompanydiamondGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026Diamond sponsor of CCR East 2026 conference.
• GSKdiamondGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026Diamond sponsor of CCR East 2026 conference.
• Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.diamondGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026Diamond sponsor of CCR East 2026 conference.
• SanofidiamondGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026Diamond sponsor of CCR East 2026 conference.
• AstraZenecagoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026Gold sponsor of CCR East 2026. AstraZeneca supports CCR East through gold sponsorship.
• Bristol-Myers Squibb CompanygoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026Gold sponsor of CCR East 2026. Bristol-Myers Squibb supports rheumatology education.
• Kiniksa PharmaceuticalssilverGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026Silver sponsor of CCR East 2026.
• argenxsilverGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026Silver sponsor of CCR East 2026. argenx supports rheumatology education through silver sponsorship.
• Novartis CosentyxgoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026Gold sponsor of CCR East 2026 through Cosentyx brand.
• Association of Women in Rheumatologynon-profitOthers · 30 April 2026Non-profit sponsor of CCR East 2026. Professional organization supporting women in rheumatology.
• Rheumatology Research Foundationnon-profitOthers · 30 April 2026Non-profit sponsor of CCR East 2026. Foundation supporting rheumatology research.
• Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providersnon-profitOthers · 30 April 2026Non-profit sponsor of CCR East 2026. Organization supporting advanced practice providers in rheumatology.
• AbbViepremierGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 April 2026Premier sponsor of First Annual Rheum-Derm Summit East 2026.
• Leo PharmaexhibitorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 April 2026Exhibitor sponsor of First Annual Rheum-Derm Summit East 2026.
• Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.silverGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 April 2026Silver sponsor of First Annual Rheum-Derm Summit East 2026.
• AbbViepremierGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Premier sponsor of CCR West 2025 conference. AbbVie participates in the conference as a premier sponsor, supporting rheumatology education and connecting with rheumatology professionals.
• Boehringer IngelheimpremierGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Premier sponsor of CCR West 2025 conference. Boehringer Ingelheim supports rheumatology education through conference sponsorship.
• GSKpremierGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Premier sponsor of CCR West 2025 conference. GSK participates in rheumatology-focused conference sponsorship.
• Johnson & JohnsonpremierGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Premier sponsor of CCR West 2025 conference. Johnson & Johnson supports rheumatology education through conference sponsorship.
• Eli Lilly and CompanypremierGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Premier sponsor of CCR West 2025 conference. Eli Lilly supports rheumatology education through conference sponsorship.
• SanofipremierGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Premier sponsor of CCR West 2025 conference. Sanofi participates in rheumatology education sponsorship.
• UCBdiamondGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Diamond sponsor of CCR West 2025 conference. UCB provides highest-tier sponsorship support.
• AmgenplatinumGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Platinum sponsor with multiple product sponsorships including Otezla, Tavneos, Uplinzna, Rare Disease, and Bone Health divisions. Multiple platinum-level sponsorships across Amgen product lines.
• Bristol Myers SquibbplatinumGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Platinum sponsor of CCR West 2025 conference. Bristol Myers Squibb supports rheumatology education.
• PfizerplatinumGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Platinum sponsor of CCR West 2025 conference. Pfizer participates in rheumatology conference sponsorship.
• AstraZenecagoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Gold sponsor of CCR West 2025. AstraZeneca supports rheumatology education through gold-level sponsorship.
• NovartisgoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Gold sponsor with multiple divisions including Cosentyx, Ilaris, and SjD programs. Multiple gold-level sponsorships across Novartis product lines.
• Sobi MedicalgoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Gold sponsor of CCR West 2025. Sobi Medical (Swedish Orphan Biovitrum) supports rheumatology education.
• argenxgoldGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Gold sponsor of CCR West 2025. argenx supports rheumatology education through gold sponsorship.
• GenentechbronzeGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Bronze sponsor and exhibitor of CCR West 2025. Genentech participates in rheumatology conference exhibition.
• LabcorpsilverGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Silver sponsor of CCR West 2025. Labcorp supports rheumatology education through silver-level sponsorship.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR): European rheumatology society hosting the annual EULAR Congress, one of the largest international rheumatology meetings. Comparable to CCR in rheumatology CME focus, but operates at a much larger scale and primarily serves European attendees.
• Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education: Major academic medical center CME provider offering live and online accredited education across many specialties. Comparable to CCR as a CME provider accredited through ACCME, though operates at a much larger scale and broader specialty scope.
• Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development: Major academic medical center offering accredited CME courses live and online across specialties. Comparable to CCR in providing high-quality accredited medical education to practicing clinicians, though at a much larger scale and broader scope.

Others

• BioAscend: Medical conference management and event services provider supporting life sciences organizations. Comparable to CCR as a specialized service provider in the medical conference ecosystem, though operates as a B2B services vendor rather than a proprietary conference organizer.

Direct peers

• Medscape Education: One of the largest online medical education platforms offering accredited CME/CE across dozens of specialties. Comparable to CCR in delivering rheumatology CME content, though Medscape is digital-first and substantially larger.
• American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST): Hosts the annual CHEST Meeting, a specialty medical conference with strong pharma sponsorship and CME programming. Comparable to CCR as a specialty society-style medical conference organizer with tiered sponsorship model.
• American Academy of Dermatology (AAD): Hosts the AAD Annual Meeting, the premier dermatology conference. CCR's newly launched Rheum-Derm Summit specifically bridges rheumatology and dermatology, making AAD a directly comparable specialty conference organizer with overlapping pharma sponsor base.
• Pri-Med: Large-scale primary care CME conference organizer and online education provider with multi-day regional conferences. Comparable to CCR as an independent CME conference operator targeting practicing clinicians with multi-tier sponsorship packages.
• American College of Rheumatology (ACR): The largest and most established rheumatology professional society in the US, hosting the ACR Annual Meeting (~15,000+ attendees) and Convergence. Directly comparable to CCR as the dominant rheumatology-focused CME conference organizer with deep pharma sponsorship relationships.
• American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions: Hosts the annual ADA Scientific Sessions, a major endocrinology specialty conference with extensive pharma sponsorship. Comparable to CCR as a specialty medical conference serving clinicians with multi-tier sponsorship packages.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CCRheumatology
• Facebookfacebook.com/ccrheumatology
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/congress-of-clinical-rheumatology

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Congress of Clinical Rheumatology