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From San Francisco to Orlando: A Look at AAO's Upcoming Sessions by Arselia Gales, Assistant Editor

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by Arselia Gales, Assistant Editor, Orthotown Magazine

From May 15-19, more than 10,000 people from the orthodontic community will come together at the Moscone Convention Center, in San Francisco, for the American Association of Orthodontists' 115th Annual Session. These attendees may leave their hearts in San Francisco, and they'll also leave with a wealth of information.

Dr. Robert Varner, AAO president, said the meeting (aptly themed "Bridging Science and Technology") will provide doctors with learning opportunities in technology and practice management. Some of this year's lecturers include Drs. Gerald Nelson, Karin Vargervik and Richard McLaughlin.

The AAO was founded in 1900 and represents more than 17,000 orthodontist members. Through the organization's online resources, conferences and other events, the AAO aims to promote the highest standards of excellence in orthodontic education and practice. Other goals are to encourage and sponsor research to advance the science and art of orthodontics, educate the public about the benefits of orthodontic treatment, and provide advocacy and services that benefit the members' pursuit of professional success.

During this year's annual session, AAO will debut a new series of doctor/staff lectures including, "Reducing Bond Failures With the Proper Materials and Techniques" and "Mastering the Art and Science of WOW Customer Service: How to Get and Start More Patients and Grow Production."

AAO encourages attendees to bring family members and offers a child-care program for children as young as 6 months old. In addition, the San Francisco Convention and Visitor Bureau has a website for AAO members. Tours of the city can be booked during registration. Huey Lewis and the News will play during the opening ceremony on May 16, and comedian Jay Leno will perform during the Excellence in Orthodontics Awards Ceremony on Sunday, May 17. Other special events during the session include an international reception, a 5K fun run and walk, and the AAO gala. The exhibit hall will host more than 300 exhibitors, making it the world's largest orthodontic exhibit hall.

Those attending the sold out post-conference program held on May 21-22 in Napa, California, will hear from Drs. Greg Huang, David Turpin and David Hatcher.

Coming together in 2016
AAO's president-elect, Dr. Morris Poole, believes that next year's annual session, held in Orlando, will draw even larger numbers. He's hoping the 2016 Annual Session can attract up to 20,000 attendees. Next year's theme is "Bringing Us Together." The 2016 session runs from April 29-May 3, 2016.

"What we're trying to do is get a real family atmosphere," Poole said. "Orlando is a place where everyone likes to come and they enjoy it as families. In this case, it brings us together as an orthodontic family."

Poole has been an AAO member since he was a student, and has been in practice for 37 years. He said the 2016 session will be more centralized than ever before.

"We invite everyone to come and bring their families and staff and truly enjoy an experience of being together as an orthodontic community," he said. "We just have a very enjoyable profession."

Poole said Orlando will hopefully draw more international members, particularly Latin American and European orthodontists.

"We're trying to help our international membership grow because we feel that the AAO meeting is probably the best meeting in the world where the orthodontic specialty can be highlighted and things can be learned," Poole said.

The opening ceremony will be held in Shamu Stadium at Sea World, and during the AAO Gala attendees can enjoy The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, including Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Both of these special events will be included in the registration for all paid attendees.

"It should be a great meeting this year and we're looking for an even greater meeting next year," Poole said. "We are all orthodontists and we want everyone to feel [included] whether they are in a group, a corporate practice, or an individual practice."

For more information on this year's session as well as next year's in Orlando, Florida, visit aaoinfo.org/meetings.



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April 2024
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