AO News 2402 - Academy of Osseointegration

Tampa Annual Meeting attendance approaches 3,100Total attendance at the Tampa Annual Meeting hit 3,094, including 1,605dentists, almost exactly the same number as last year, Executive Director KevinP. Smith reports. While not a record, attendance met expectations, consideringthe southern location and the economy. AO’s membership is largest along theEast Coast. Smith was encouraged to see the increase in attendance by studentmembers, up 33 percent from last year.International attendance was only 52 under last year’s numbers at 525, representing31 percent of the dental attendance from 44 countries, led by Brazil (127),Mexico (84), Japan (68), Canada (33), Italy (23), South Korea (18), and England(13). States sending the most registrants were host Florida (286), New York(156), California (131), Pennsylvania (73), Massachusetts (64), and Texas (64).Exhibit sales rose, and many programs had an up year, including Corporate Forums, Limited Attendance Lectures, Roundtables, andLunch and Learns. Exhibitor attendance of 1,075 was slightly down from the previous three years.Exciting person-to-person interaction typifies the action in AO’sbusy exhibit hall.Nobel Biocare’s Melker Nilsson (left) presents a symbolic check toOsseointegration Foundation President Dr. Luis Fujimoto, representingthe completion of his company’s 5-year Foundation contribution.New AO President Dr. StephenWheeler takes the podium.Stimulating speakers kept the audience’s attention.President Dr. Stephen Wheeler (left) thanks PastPresident Dr. Kenneth Hinds for years of Board service.One of the program’s highlights was the LaboratoryTechnician program.8It was outgoing President Dr. David Cochran’s momentto enjoy with his daughter Melissa (left) and wifeMonica (right).Representatives of DENTSPLY Implants enjoy thePresident’s Reception, held at the Florida Aquariumwhich featured singing mermaids.Dr. Takashi Sumi (left) accepts the award for Best ClinicalInnovations Presentation from Dr. Joerg Neugebauer.