(McLean, VA) - The American Academy of Audiology's 14th Annual Convention & Expo in Philadelphia (April 17-20, 2002) has exceeded all expectations. With 6,549 audiologists, students and hearing health care professionals in attendance, Convention 2002 promises to be the largest gathering of audiologists in the world this year. Although attendance was down slightly from last year's record-breaking attendance of 7,321, this is on the low-end of the 10-15% average reduction in attendance the majority of conventions have experienced since September 11.
With rave reviews for Philadelphia in general, and Convention 2002 in particular, the highlights of this year's show were many, including:
- The witty and poignant Keynote address by best-selling author Amy Tan
- Dennis Smith, Director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services commitment to continued progress with reimbursement and other hearing health issues
- A salute to the 32 Founding Fathers of The Academy
- 38 Featured Sessions, more than 100 Instructional Courses, and many more Research Podiums, Poster Sessions and Round Tables.
- For the first time, an interactive CD-ROM of educational session handouts was presented to each registrant.
- The Academy's prestigious Honors and Awards presentation to seven top audiologists in the profession.
- A breathtaking Exhibit Hall - the largest hearing health care exposition in the world - with 190 exhibitors and 96,000 square feet of the latest in hearing health care innovations and technology.
- A dazzling Opening Night Reception featuring a jazz combo and a sumptuous buffet.
- Free Consumer workshops on hearing loss for the people of Philadelphia.
- A Blood Drive to benefit the community.
- 447 international guests from Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany and many other countries.
- An impressive 241 AuD's in attendance (double the 120 at last year's convention).
To view the Opening General Assembly, hear Amy Tan and Dennis Smith's remarks, and purchase audio cassettes of individual sessions, please visit
https://www.audiology.org/development/meetings/Pages/default.aspx
The American Academy of Audiology, the world's largest professional organization of audiologists, is dedicated to providing quality hearing care services through professional development, education, research and increased public awareness of hearing disorders. To learn more about the audiology profession and how audiologists are helping the 28 million Americans who suffer from hearing loss, please visit The Academy's web site at www.audiology.org
