The Desert Journey: Bringing Defining the Next Era to Life

The road to the next era leads west.

As the gynecologic oncology community prepares to gather in Phoenix for the SGO 2027 Annual Meeting on Gynecologic Cancer, the meeting’s visual identity takes inspiration from the landscape, character, and unmistakable spirit of the Southwest.

Introducing The Desert Journey—the creative expression of this year’s theme, Defining the Next Era.

A Journey Toward What’s Next

At the center of the design is a winding road stretching through the Arizona desert toward the horizon.

It’s more than scenery.

The road represents the journey of gynecologic oncology itself: a specialty continually moving forward through research, innovation, leadership, collaboration, and a shared commitment to improving patient care.

There isn’t one path to progress, and the future isn’t defined by a single discovery or individual. Every researcher who asks a new question, clinician who puts new evidence into practice, trainee who brings a fresh perspective, mentor who develops the next generation, and colleague who shares an idea contributes to where the field goes next.

The road is ours to travel, and the next era is ours to define.

An Ode to the Southwest

Phoenix isn’t simply the backdrop for the 2027 Annual Meeting. Its landscape and culture helped inspire the visual story we’re telling.

Layered mountain vistas, expansive desert landscapes, warm light, natural textures, and subtle Western influences bring a distinct sense of place to this year’s creative.

The color palette draws from the desert itself: the warm peach and coral tones of sunrise and sunset; rich blues and purples inspired by changing desert skies and distant mountains; and grounded, natural tones that reflect the landscape.

Even a familiar symbol receives a Southwestern twist. The uterus icon woven throughout the creative is reimagined as if carved from wood—a playful, unexpected detail that brings together gynecologic oncology and the character of our host region.

Together, these elements create an experience that feels unmistakably SGO while giving the 2027 meeting a personality all its own.

Resilience, Possibility and Progress

The desert is also a fitting metaphor for the work of this community.

It is a landscape defined by resilience and adaptation. Life finds ways to flourish, sometimes under the most challenging conditions.

Gynecologic oncology has its own history of persistence and progress. Scientific breakthroughs emerge from difficult questions. New approaches to care grow from collaboration. Innovation challenges what we thought possible. And progress is built through the collective determination of people committed to improving outcomes for patients with gynecologic cancers.

That sense of possibility sits at the heart of The Desert Journey.

The horizon ahead represents what has yet to be discovered, challenged, built, and achieved.

The Journey is Just Beginning

Over the months ahead, you’ll see The Desert Journey come to life across the Annual Meeting experience—from digital communications and program materials to the environment attendees encounter in Phoenix.
Some moments will feel inspiring. Others may be unexpected. And, in true Southwest fashion, don’t be surprised if we have a little fun along the way.

Because Defining the Next Era isn’t meant to be something we simply talk about.

It’s something we’ll experience together.

So, we’re heading west.

And from March 19–22, 2027, the gynecologic oncology community will come together to explore what’s ahead, celebrate how far we’ve come, and continue the journey toward what’s next.

Next stop: Phoenix.

Save the Date

SGO 2027 Annual Meeting on Gynecologic Cancer 
March 19–22, 2027 | Phoenix, Arizona