From the moment you stepped foot inside the Hilton Bonnet Creek Resort, you knew this was going to be a different kind of AIUM Convention. Maybe it was the new venue. Maybe it was all the new offerings. Maybe it was the excitement about connecting and reconnecting with colleagues from around the world.

Whatever it was, it caused a buzz in Orlando.

If you were in Orlando, we hope you felt the same. If you were unable to make it this year, here are a few of the highlights (you can see and learn even more if you search #AIUM19 on your favorite social media site):

New Offerings—Each year, the AIUM and the Annual Convention Committee look to enhance and improve the event. This year was no exception. To get the juices flowing, attendees could participate in a morning exercise class that varied each day. We added the Recharge Lounge where attendees could relax and charge up their devices. We partnered with the International Contrast Ultrasound Society on a one-day educational event. And we enhanced the Meet-the-Professor sessions.

SonoSlam—In its fourth year, 24 teams battled it out for the coveted Peter Arger Cup. The University of Connecticut’s team, PoCUS Maximus, came out on top–and defended their title! Save the date for next year—March 21 in New York City! Big thanks to headline sponsor Canon.

The Buzz in Orlando

Social Media—From Instagram to Twitter to Facebook, Convention attendees were very active on social media at #AIUM19. And, for the first time, there was a takeover! Kristy Le, a recent RDMS graduate, took the reigns of our social accounts to give her perspective on the AIUM Convention! Search #AIUM19 to get her take!

Networking–It’s not an AIUM event if there isn’t networking. This year there were even more opportunities to make new contacts and reconnect with colleagues from around the world. From the morning workouts to the Presidential Reception. From Community meetings to the Welcome Reception. From the intimate Meet-the-Professor sessions to the Exhibit Hall breaks. You almost couldn’t help but expand your network.

Global Plenary—AIUM President Brian Coley, MD, hosted the Plenary session that featured a lecture on reducing workplace injuries from Kevin D. Evans, PhD, RT, RDMS, RVS, FSDMS, FAIUM, Professor at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. This talk launched a series of sessions and events at the AIUM Convention that focused on ergonomics. The entire Plenary Session is available on the AIUM Facebook Page.

Fun Activities—Not only was #AIUM19 educational, it was also fun. This year attendees could participate in morning exercise classes (yoga, jogging, bootcamp); do a scavenger hunt with the AIUM app (Congrats to Julie Abe, MD, from Brazil for winning the free #AIUM2020 registration); collect specialty-specific buttons (Congrats to Joanne Richards, RT, RDMS, RT on winning the smartwatch for collecting at least 15 buttons); and participate in Industry Symposia.

Sold-out Exhibit Hall—This year’s exhibit hall was the most exciting and active it has ever been. There were more new companies at this year’s event than ever, making the exhibit hall vibrant and exciting! New product releases, special offers, and cool giveaways created a buzz we haven’t seen in years. Plus, there was cake! Thanks to all the exhibitors!

Award Winners—The AIUM was proud to recognize the following award winners (look for upcoming blog posts and/or videos from some of these individuals):

James A. Zagzebski, PhD–William J Fry Memorial Lecture Award
Steven R. Goldstein, MD, FAIUM—Joseph H. Holmes Clinical Pioneer Award
Keith A. Wear, PhD, FAIUM—Joseph H. Holmes Basic Science Pioneer Award
Kevin David Evans, PhD, RT, RDMS, RVS, FAIUM—Distinguished Sonographer Award
Michael Blaivas, MD, MBA, FAIUM, FACEP—Peter H. Arger, MD Excellence in Medical Student Education Award
Bryann Bromley, MD, FAIUM—Carmine M. Valente Distinguished Service Award
Liat Gindes, MD—AIUM Honorary Fellow
Tammy Stearns, MS, RT(R), RDMS, RVT, FSDMS—AIUM Honorary Fellow

The AIUM also recognized the life and achievements of these individuals who were inducted into the Memorial Hall of Fame:

Michael L. Manco-Johnson, MD
Terry J. DuBose, MS, RDMS, FAIUM, FSDMS
Donald Baker

Up and Comers—In addition to our national awards, the AIUM also recognizes its New Investigators. This year’s winners and runners-up are:

Basic Science
Winner—Viktor Bollen, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Chicago for “A Comparison Of Thrombus Dissolution Efficacy With Single And Multiple-Cycle Histotripsy Pulses In Vitro.”
Runner-Up–Lakshmanan Sannachi, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre for “Quantitative Ultrasound Texture-Derivative Methods Combined with Advanced Machine-Learning for Therapy Response Prediction: Method Development and Evaluation.”

Clinical Ultrasound
Winner—Misun Hwang, MD, Assistant Professor of Radiology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania for “Quantitative Detection of Brain Injury with Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Neonates and Infants.”
Runner-Up–Michal Fishel Bartal, Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellow, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas at Houston (UTHealth) for “Validation of 3D Power Doppler Volume Analysis in Patients with 2D Ultrasound Suspected Morbidly Adherent Placenta.”

Convention attendees say that the reason they attend this event is because of the multi-specialty nature of the AIUM. This event brings together physicians, sonographers, scientists, students, and others from at least 20 specialties–all focused on medical ultrasound! No other event–or professional society–does this. To all of those who joined us in Orlando, thanks and we hope you were able to take back some contacts, a lot of information, and resources to improve patient care. For everyone else, we hope to see you in New York City for AIUM2020.