Ken Horton RCS, FASE

It’s hard to believe another year has flown by and we are right around the corner from the 2012 ASE Scientific Sessions. Hopefully, by now you have either made your reservations or you are looking into those travel arrangements. Did you know this is actually the third time the Scientific Sessions will be held in or near our nation’s capital? The very first Scientific Sessions was held in Washington DC. In 2009, the 20 ^th annual Scientific Sessions were held at the Gaylord, and of course this year’s Scientific Sessions take us back to the Gaylord National at the National Harbor, MD. The property boasts an 18-story glass atrium filled with seating and concessions, making it a wonderful indoor meeting space that has the feel of sitting outdoors. The Gaylord serves as the centerpiece of the newly developed National Harbor, which has grown and expanded since our last visit in 2009. More information about the property and the National Harbor area can be found on their web site at www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-national . If you have not registered, you can do so online by visiting www.asescientificsessions.org . Register now to take advantage of the early registration discount and ticketed events with limited seating! The preliminary program is out, and if you haven’t received one it is available on the ASE web site. Be sure to take a look through it for a preview of the educational content, networking opportunities, and registration information.

I would like to thank Scientific Sessions Sonographer Program Chair Robert Davis, RCS, FASE and Co-chair Jennifer Neary, RCS for their efforts in putting the cardiovascular sonographer track together. In this track, leaders in the field will talk about the latest technologies, including three-dimensional and strain imaging. If you aren’t ready for advanced topics yet, you’ll want to attend the sessions on basic quantification and scanning, utilizing of contrast echocardiography, and review of ASE guidelines. There will also be sessions on advancing your career and lab management. Be sure to attend the council’s business meeting for an update of council activities, the presentation of the travel awards, and updates on health care reform, licensure, quality, and accreditation. If you are an educator, you will also want to attend the Educator’s Summit. The Summit is always popular, and this year will focus on “Overcoming Barriers to Improve Student Scanning Success.”

Other tracks that you will find interesting include:

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  Multi-modality imaging

  
  
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  Interventional procedures

  
  
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  Practice management and advocacy

  
  
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  Pediatric/congenital

  
  
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  Research

  
  
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  Fundamental imaging

  
  
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  Focused ultrasound

  
  
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  Case-based learning

  
  
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  Vascular imaging

  
  
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  Industry symposia

  
  
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  Ticketed breakfasts.

You won’t want to miss the return of “3 of A Kind”. David Adams, RCS, RDCS, FASE will serve as host of this “game,” and you’ll undoubtedly leave with more knowledge than you had when you arrived. This game made its debut last year, and hundreds of people filled the room, using an audience response keypad and trying to select which of four images does not belong with the other three in a number of sets. I guarantee you will have so much fun you won’t even realize you are learning. Isn’t that really the way it should be?

Of course, the evenings will be filled with networking opportunities. On Saturday evening, join your colleagues in the Exhibit Hall for the President’s Reception honoring ASE President Jim Thomas, MD, FACC, FASE. Meet and greet your colleagues while spending time supporting the industry partners that are vital to the success of the meeting. On Sunday, all attendees are invited to attend the Attendee Reception on the waterfront, with a gorgeous view of the Potomac River.

And finally, this meeting is going to end just in time for the 4 ^th of July weekend. I lived in the DC area for many years, and I can tell you that they know how to celebrate the 4 ^th of July! I highly recommend that you pack up the spouse and kids, and bring them along for a celebration of the 4 ^th like you haven’t seen before.

So, whether you are a student just entering the field or a 25+ year veteran like me, you can find content at this meeting that is interesting, relevant and educational. All that will be packaged in an awesome venue (the Gaylord) at an awesome location (National Harbor) at an awesome time (July 4 ^th weekend). The Scientific Sessions is the hallmark meeting of the year for ASE. It has something for everyone in our field. Check the ASE web site often for updates to the program and additional information at www.asescientificsessions.org .