"Day One" in Indianapolis: Here We Go...
Compact, connected, and convenient—Indianapolis embodies our specialty's Day One mentality as we unite for education, innovation, and excellence.
Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA
AAO-HNS/F Executive Vice President and CEO
We could not be more thrilled by the tremendous work of the Annual Meeting Program Committee under the exceptional stewardship of Cecelia Damask, DO. The programming continues our tradition of excellence in didactic teaching while using modern approaches to what’s new in medical education, including simulation, problem-based learning, audience interaction, and gamification. These aren't just novel formats; they represent our commitment to ensuring the Annual Meeting remains fresh, engaging, and valuable for our diverse audience of attendees. As Dr. Damask reminds me, "The Annual Meeting should be something you can only experience in person."
When we performed our site visit to the city earlier this year, I was immediately struck by how Indianapolis embodies our Day One mentality. The Indianapolis Convention Bureau describes their city as "compact, connected, and convenient"—and I can think of no more apt descriptors for what a Day One approach looks like when we come together as a specialty.
Indianapolis brings unique energy to our gathering. This metropolitan area has rapidly become recognized for its culinary scene, thriving cultural institutions, and vibrant neighborhoods. With the second-biggest population among U.S. state capitals, Indianapolis offers the perfect blend of accessibility and sophistication for our global community.
During our site visit, I was refreshed to discover I could walk from my hotel room to the OTO EXPO hall in less than five minutes. This proximity is convenient and strategic. It virtually guarantees you'll have fortuitous meetings with old friends, colleagues, and people you've just met. These spontaneous connections often prove to be the most valuable part of our Annual Meeting experience.
Our Strategic Plan, revised and approved by the Board this past April, establishes two fundamental goals. First, we aim to unify our specialty and ensure we use our collective voices in an amplified manner to drive member value. Second, we must modernize your Academy to ensure we remain contemporary and competitive and foster a global and inclusive otolaryngology community.
The Indianapolis Annual Meeting brings both goals to life simultaneously. As we approach this gathering with our Day One mentality, we're literally coming together in a compact, connected, and convenient manner that allows us as a specialty to unite our collective voices and amplify their impact.
Building on our industry partnership initiatives we're embracing collaboration in unprecedented ways. The ENT Innovation Connection on Friday morning will serve as a dynamic convener for members, industry leaders, investors, and partners. This isn't just networking—it's strategic alliance-building that directly benefits patient care. I'm particularly excited about the Innovation Park, a unique section of our OTO EXPO where startup companies will showcase cutting-edge innovations designed to help members better serve patients. From seed-stage companies to established leaders, these partnerships exemplify the collaborative spirit that drives our specialty forward.
What makes this Annual Meeting exciting isn't just the programming or the venue. It’s the convergence of over 6,000 colleagues, experts, and professionals from around the world. When we gather in Indianapolis, we're not just attending sessions; we're participating in the global conversation that shapes the future of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.
This aligns perfectly with the Academy’s vision to be the “global leader in optimizing quality ear, nose, and throat patient care.” Every conversation in Indianapolis, every poster, every industry demonstration contributes to this larger mission of advancing our specialty and improving patient outcomes.
The compact nature of Indianapolis means that whether you're interested in the latest surgical techniques, practice management insights, emerging technologies, or research breakthroughs, everything is within reach. The connected layout ensures that transitioning between the scientific program and industry innovations is seamless. The convenient programming means you can focus on what matters most—learning, networking and building relationships, and advancing your practice.
As I've emphasized since joining the Academy in this role, we maintain a Day One mentality to ensure we advocate, innovate, and collaborate continuously. The Indianapolis Annual Meeting represents this philosophy in action—bringing together our modernization initiatives, strategic partnerships, educational excellence, and global community in one enriching experience.
Mark your calendars for October 11-14. Register today. Indianapolis awaits. The future of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery has never been brighter.
