AAO 2024 to “elevate” in Windy City

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The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is holding its annual meeting October 18 to 21 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, featuring symposia, instruction courses, clinical sessions, original papers, skills transfer lectures, videos and posters, and the Expo.

According to Debra Rosencrance, vice president of meetings and exhibits at the AAO, the theme for AAO 2024 is “elevate.”

“The academy’s annual meeting helps attendees elevate their skills, knowledge, and the profession,” she explained. “We encourage physicians to bring their entire team to the annual meeting as there are sessions and networking opportunities that can elevate one’s entire practice.”

A new addition this year is the Saturday Night Celebration, being held from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM on October 19. Rosencrance noted that it is a new meetingwide event supporting the academy’s education initiatives. Attendees can buy tickets through registration.

Rosencrance added that more educational opportunities are now available in the AAO 2024 Expo.

“In addition to the sessions taking place in the Learning Lounge and Poster Theater, industry will talk about products and trends in the Showcase Theater,” she pointed out. “Exhibitors from early-stage and start-up companies will speak in the new Innovation Theater, and academy education, advocacy, and research initiatives will be highlighted in the new Academy Theater.”

During the meeting there will be a range of educational opportunities available, including hands-on workshops and certification courses, with an educational opportunity for everyone, regardless of their learning style. Rosencrance noted that these include the following:

• Small-group learning at the Learning Lounge, Academy Café, Poster Theater, Poster Discussions, new Innovation Hub, and more.
• Hands-on surgical labs allow attendees to practice a new technique or brush up on an old one.
• Symposia rooms allow attendees to listen to ophthalmology’s key opinion leaders on the latest research and then immediately discuss with nearby colleagues during the breaks.

There are several keynote speakers lined up for the event, including the following:

• Jasmine H. Francis, MD, will deliver the Jackson Memorial Lecture. The title of her presentation is “Histiocytosis Advancements Parallel Ophthalmic Innovation.”
• Mary Street Alinder will deliver the Michael F. Marmor Lecture in Ophthalmology and the Arts with a presentation titled “Ansel Adams: The Development of Vision.”

Rosencrance pointed out that there are several must-attend sessions on the schedule this year. New sessions and hot topics include Office-Based Surgery; Ophthalmology Mythbreakers; The Year in Literature: Editor’s Choice Highlights From the Ophthalmology Journal Family; Artificial Intelligence in Ophthalmology; Geographic Atrophy; New Retinal Therapies; and New Therapies for Corneal Endothelial Diseases.

“We encourage attendees to stay for Cataract Monday, the academy’s must-attend Spotlight on Cataract Complications,” she added.

The primary objectives for planners this year, according to Rosencrance, have been to provide more networking and educational opportunities in the Expo and to develop programs for the entire practice team.

“We continue to look for ways to make the meeting more comfortable for attendees,” she added. “One way we are addressing this at this year’s meeting is the introduction of a quiet room. We’ll be providing a room away from the action where attendees who may be feeling a little overwhelmed can sit quietly to read, work, or relax.”

Each year, the academy sets out to make the event a little different.

“AAO attendees will find something different every year because the program is based on what is hot in ophthalmology right now,” Rosencrance explained. “We are continually tweaking the educational opportunities to continue offering value to all attendees.”

Rosencrance also pointed out that Chicago remains a favorite destination for the academy.

“It is easy to travel to and from the city, and there is always something new to see, hear, and experience,” Rosencrance said. “It is known for its cutting-edge theater, breathtaking architecture, world-renowned museums, and inventive chefs.”

The academy will also provide myriad ways for ophthalmologists to network during the annual meeting.

“We have been creating more and more business-ready networking lounges designed for attendees to conduct meetings and interviews, charge devices, check in with the office, focus, and relax,” Rosencrance pointed out. “We’ve added more educational opportunities to interact and discuss in small groups—Learning Lounge, Academy Café, poster discussions, and introducing ‘continue the conversation’ areas in selected session rooms.”

Rosencrance added that attendees are encouraged to take advantage of regularly scheduled breaks in the scientific program to meet up with colleagues and mentors, visit affinity group lounges, and explore the AAO 2024 Expo.

“The new Saturday Night Celebration is a great place to connect with friends and colleagues, meet academy leadership, and just have fun at one of Chicago’s hottest nightclubs, TAO,” she added.

The academy also will offer both in-person and virtual options for AAO 2024 and Subspecialty Day.