Published: December 8, 2014

2014 Annual Report: Thriving: Annual Meeting & OTO EXPOSM

As planning began for the 2014 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO℠, the AAO-HNS/F Boards of Directors identified strategic initiatives intended to extend and increase the relevance of the Annual Meeting.

This year’s “Best in Show” Poster winner: National Trends and Associated Factors of Endotracheal Intubation among Adult Inpatients with Peritonsillar Abscess—Hannan A. Qureshi; Bruce K. Tan, MD; Rakesh K. Chandra, MD; Robert C. Kern, MD; Stephanie S. Smith, MD, MSc.

As planning began for the 2014 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM, the AAO-HNS/F Boards of Directors identified strategic initiatives intended to extend and increase the relevance of the Annual Meeting. Those initiatives were: systematically improve the Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM to position it for continued future success; serve as a source for certification/MOC preparation; and continue innovation in the Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM. We are pleased to report that we had 5,615 professional registrants this year; a 2 percent increase from last year’s attendance. Attendees came from around the world, spanning more than 80 different countries. We are also thrilled to report that we had 1,139 abstract submissions this year. In addition, the 2014 Annual Meeting featured a number of historic firsts for the education program.

A “Best of Orals” 80-minute session took place Sunday morning.
This session included 12 of the highest-rated oral
submissions representing all the subspecialty topics.
Based on very positive feedback from the 2013 Annual Meeting, all oral presentations were delivered in five-minute
increments. Three minutes were allotted for authors to present their research and findings followed by two minutes of audience questions and presenter responses.
Twenty-five percent of the Miniseminars used audience response technology allowing the participants to better engage in the presentation.
In addition to the tried-and-true Poster Awards recognition program identifying the top three posters, recognition was expanded this year to include Best in Show, Gold, and Silver ribbon commendations based on grading by the Program Advisory Committee.
Designed to help members prepare for the MOC Part III cognitive exam, the program included four Review Courses: ”Head and Neck Surgery,” “Rhinology and Allergy,” “General Otolaryngology,” and “Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.”
A new Clinical Fundamental track was added this year. This track includes Instruction Courses on the 10 topics required for MOC Part III and provided our Members with the means to meet one of the Maintenance of Certification requirements.
Left: Networking around every corner from the President’s Reception, Alumni Receptions, to the Career Fair. Right: More opportunities for hands-on training in the Product Theater and Hands-on Demonstration Labs.

Additional space for a hands-on learning room was added, providing participants with more opportunities to interact with expert faculty while participating in cutting-edge demonstrations.

Thirty of the top-rated Instruction Course presenters were invited to submit a ‘’State-of-the-Art Review’’ paper to Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.

For the first time, Instruction Courses took place on Wednesday morning together with the Scientific Program. Three blocks of courses were scheduled starting at 8:00 am, 9:15 am, and 10:30 am.

Moreover, there were many wonderful opportunities for professional development, networking with colleagues, and knowledge-sharing during some of the new featured items at this year’s Annual Meeting, including:

On the evening of the first day of the conference, the President’s Reception took place in the exhibit hall for an hour-and-a half, where attendees and exhibitors mingled over refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres. An intimate setting set the stage for exhibitors and attendees to enjoy meeting each other on a more relaxed level.
Hands-On Training and Demonstration sessions took place in the OTO EXPO^SM. These sessions provided a select number of Annual Meeting attendees the opportunity to use the newest technologies presented by various members of the corporate community.
The AAO-HNS Career Fair, hosted by ENT Careers and the HEALTHeCAREERS Network, provided candidates in all subspecialties and levels of training the opportunity to speak face-to-face with hiring representatives.
An Academy Technology Center premiered in 2014. The center focused on the Academy’s technology resources: ENT Connect, entnet.org, AcademyU®, PQRSWizard®, and more. Staff were available to demonstrate all of the Foundation technology solutions, answer questions, and listen to suggestions.
The 118th Annual Meeting proved to be a success. We were thrilled for those who were able to join us and we will be even more thrilled to see everyone at the 119th Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO^SM, September 27-30, 2015, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. Save the dates and watch the Annual Meeting website for updated information in the spring.