Life Hacks for the 2015 AIUM Annual Convention

The 2015 AIUM Annual Convention, hosting WFUMB, is less than a week away. Although it was about six months ago that we opened registration, that time just cruised by much too quickly. We here at the AIUM office just said goodbye to the truck full of convention goodies. Next time we see all that stuff, we will be in Orlando. For those of you meeting us there, here are a few things you should know.

  1. Plan now

 15_Final_Program.indd

If you haven’t started planning, what are you waiting for? The Program book and official proceedings are online now so get busy.

  1. Never go hungry   

image

We know that AIUM Convention attendees don’t go hungry so we aren’t really worried about that. However, you will need to find a place for dinner. There are numerous places within walking distance of the hotel. Check them all out here.

  1. What about the internet?

wifi

There will be complimentary internet access on the exhibit hall floor in the Dolphin Resort. In addition, if you are staying at the Dolphin, your resort fee includes in-room internet access as well as bottled water. So stay hydrated while you post all those cool photos and useful tips!

  1. Getting to and from

Transportation-options

Transportation can sometimes be a hassle, so it’s better to plan ahead. There are many options to get to and from the Orlando Airport and the Dolphin Resort and the choices depend on your budget and timing. Check out all the options here. If you are staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge you do have access to Magical Express, but you will need to make a reservation. During the Convention there will be daily transportation between the Animal Kingdom and the Dolphin Resort.

  1. Let us hear your voice

karaoke_live

Of course we want you to complete the evaluation forms, but that’s not what we are talking about here. We are talking about the Dinner and Karaoke networking event. If you still need a ticket you can purchase them on site in the registration area.

  1. Get your ribbons

ribbon

You might notice that getting your Convention ribbons will be a bit different this year. While some might be in your materials, the AIUM has created a ribbon station where you can select those that pertain to you.

  1. Get extraterrestrial

Scott

There are a ton of sessions and heaps of learning that go on at an AIUM Convention. But this year don’t miss the Opening Plenary Session where Scott Dulchavsky, MD, PhD, will discuss the unique challenges and solutions associated with performing medical procedures in space!

  1. Cases Go Digital

ctd15

One of the most popular aspects of the AIUM Convention is the case of the day challenge. They are definitely back, but instead of jotting your diagnosis on paper (which frankly can be difficult to read), this year it will all be handled via text. All the instructions will be on site, but watch your autocorrect!

We can’t wait to see you in Orlando! Don’t forget to tag and share #AIUM15 on all your social media platforms.

Why Not Start?

“Why not
Take a star from the sky
Why not
Spread your wings and fly
It might take a little
And it might take a lot
But… why not
Why not”

It isn’t often that I quohilary-duff-fab-hairstyles-3te Hilary Duff. Basically, never. But today it seemed appropriate as the AIUM officially launches its first new communication vehicle in years.

We knew this venture might be risky. What if people don’t read it? What if we can’t find writers? What if there isn’t enough compelling content to support it? Trust us—we worried about all of these. In the end, we decided to take Hilary’s advice. So here you have it—The Scan!

Why a new outlet? Aside from the obvious answer, the AIUM felt that something was missing from its communication family. We have the popular Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine with its scientific insight and cool charts and graphs. We have our electronic newsletter, Sound Waves, that contains short snippets and links. We have our social media outlets that keep us connected to members around the clock. What we were missing was a way to share opinions, lead discussions, and even spark debate.

Hence, The Scan. Our goal is to make this an outlet for members, partners, supporters and even AIUM staff to share what they are working on, what matters to them, and what’s happening in medical ultrasound. We want this to be serious when it needs to be but always entertaining and helpful.

And that’s where you come in. We have a good line up of posts scheduled for the next few months, but if you have topics, insights or opinions you would like to share, email us your thoughts. We are always looking for writers and ideas.

In the end, we want The Scan to be valuable and useful to the medical ultrasound community. We hope you enjoy! And when your colleagues ask why you are reading a blog from your professional society, we hope your response begins with “Why not?”

 Let us know what you think about the blog! Comment or let us know on Twitter: @AIUM_Ultrasound.

Peter Magnuson is AIUM’s Director of Communications and Member Services.