SIM Tank Competition & Showcase Submission Guidelines

Important Information

The SIM Tank Competition & Showcase is a 90-minute session in which simulation scholars will showcase their cutting-edge simulators, projects, and curricula. The top three most innovative simulation project authors will then present their work to a panel of expert judges and compete for cash prizes during the final 60 minutes of the session. Projects will be evaluated based on innovation and creativity, scalability across the specialty, and their potential to advance training and clinical practice in the field of otolaryngology.

The Simulation Showcase offers an opportunity for simulation scholars to present their innovative otolaryngology simulators, projects, and curricula in a group setting as tabletop poster presentations.

During the SIM Tank, the top three submitters, selected through review by the Simulation Education Committee (SIMEC), will each deliver a 10-minute presentation of their simulation to a panel of expert judges and compete for cash prizes.

Both components will take place in the same location.

We aim to continue enhancing this event, and our goal in establishing eligibility requirements for the SIM Tank Competition & Showcase is to provide greater clarity to submitters about what to expect when participating.

• Submission Review Process: After the submission deadline, all completed abstracts and proposals will be peer reviewed by the SIMEC. Incomplete abstracts or proposals will not be reviewed. To ensure the integrity of the review process, revisions to abstracts and proposals will not be accepted after the submission deadline—no exceptions. Make sure you have clicked the final “submit” button after all aspects of the submission are complete.
• Submission Status Notifications: The AAO-HNSF will notify all submitters in June 2026 of the status of their submissions upon the final review and decision of the AMPC and Program Chair. Refrain from directly contacting the AAO-HNSF staff to obtain information regarding the decision status, notification distribution, or publication dates. Check the Annual Meeting website regularly for the most up-to-date information.
• Key Dates:
  • March 30, 2026: SIM Tank Competition & Showcase Call for Simulation Abstracts Site Opens
  • April 30, 2026: SIM Tank Competition & Showcase Call for Simulation Abstracts Site Closes. No deadline extension will be granted this year.
  • May 2026: Submissions Reviewed by the Simulation Education Committee
  • June 2026: Submission Status Notifications Sent

Eligibility Requirements

Members and nonmembers of the AAO-HNS are eligible to submit.

If a proposal is accepted, all speakers are required to complete the following tasks:

• Agree to present at the AAO-HNSF 2026 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO. Submission of a proposal constitutes a commitment by the speaker(s) to present if selected. Failure to present may result in exclusion from the program for up to two years.
• Each speaker must register for the 2026 Annual Meeting and pay all applicable fees.
• Confirm email for all speaker communication: Presenters are identified on the conference website by email address. For those presenters who are listed on multiple submissions, ensure that the same email address is used on all.
  • Submitters, verify the following:
    • Double-check accuracy and spelling of all email addresses.
    • Check email settings to ensure that [email protected]does not filter to a spam/junk folder.
    • Ensure that the email address selected is not subject to an institutional firewall that will reject communications from AAO-HNSF.
    • Use an email address that will be active from the opening of the 2026 SIM Tank Competition & Showcase Call for Simulation Abstracts through the dates of the Annual Meeting (October 17-20, 2026), particularly for those graduating or in a job transition.
  • Professional Conduct Agreement: All submitters and proposed speakers agree to uphold professional standards of conduct throughout the review and selection process. Decisions of the Simulation Education Committee are final. Harassment, intimidation, or inappropriate communication with Simulation Education Committee members regarding submission outcomes will not be tolerated.
  • The Simulation Education Committee reserves the right to change any component of an accepted proposal. Submissions must be completed online by the deadline. Changes to proposals may not be made once the deadline passes.
  • All abstracts must be submitted in English.
  • All equipment and supplies are the responsibility of the individual/team to set this up. This includes shipping, if applicable. Participants will be provided with a table, Wi-Fi and a power source.
  • Plan to bring your simulator or demonstrate how your simulator/simulation activity operates (e.g., video demonstration of the actual simulator/simulation activity).
  • If selected to participate in the SIM TANK Competition, live demonstrations of products will not be permitted during the oral presentation. Presenters should instead include a short video within their PowerPoint presentation demonstrating how the product is used. Live demonstrations may take place during the Simulation Showcase portion of the session.

Submission Instructions

The following section outlines the tasks and questions you may need to complete during the submission process. Please ensure that all required information is accurate and complete before finalizing your submission.

While all questions in the submission site are required, the specific tasks and questions applicable to your proposal may vary depending on the selected education format.

• Log in to the submission site using your AAO-HNS member ID and password (If you are not a member, create a non-member account)
• Read and provide consent for the Privacy Notice
• Select “Click Here” to begin a new proposal”
• Review and Sign the Eligibility Requirements
• Speaker(s): 
  • Sessions must have one designated lead presenter who is the point of contact for all operational logistics. You may designate up to six additional co-authors as needed. However, be sure that each co-author is registered for the Annual Meeting.

• • Enter Speakers: Create the list of speakers for this submission. It is important that you have each speaker’s full professional name as they would want it to be published, including middle initials and credentials, when adding speakers.
    • To add a speaker:
      • Type the speaker’s first name, middle initial, last name, email address and select a role
      • Important notes about email addresses:
        • Verify that you are using the most current email address for all speakers.
        • Ask speakers to use the same email address for all submissions as their identity in the Speaker Management Portal is linked to their email address. This prevents creating duplicate accounts.
        • Consider using an email address that is not restricted by institutional firewalls.
        • For transitioning physicians (graduation, employment change), use a permanent email address that will still be active after the transition.
  • Click “Add Speaker” – To complete a presenter’s profile:
    • Click on the “Edit Speaker” button to complete the profile.
    • A green check mark indicates a complete profile.
    • Once the profile is complete, click “Save Speakers” to complete the task.

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodation: AAO-HNSF is committed to making the Annual Meeting accessible to attendees and presenters with disabilities. If you identify as a person with a disability and wish to disclose your specific accommodations requests, please indicate below.
  • Do you require an accommodation or service to fully participate? If yes, please provide details on accommodations needed.
  • Enter N/A if not applicable.

• Abstract:
  • Proposal Title: Your proposal title has a 15-word limit. Be sure your title is listed as you would like it to be published (if selected) on the website and other promotional and marketing pieces, including correct grammar, capitalization, and punctuation. While a catchy session title can attract the attention of meeting attendees, the proposal itself should be clear and complete to be favorably viewed by the SIMEC.
  • Simulation Type: Please select any of the following that best describes your simulation or simulation activity.
    • 3D Printed
    • Biologic Tissue
    • Curriculum/Course/Activity
    • High Fidelity
    • Low Fidelity
    • Modified Commercial Manikin
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality
    • Other (please explain)
  • Abstract Description: Provide a brief, concise description that will explain the focus, purpose (goals), and significance of your abstract. Successful abstract submissions will involve the development, validation or study of a simulator, simulation, or simulation-based curriculum. Describe the successful usage of the simulator model or simulation activity as well as its relevance to the practice of otolaryngology. (1,600 characters MAX)
  • Session Description: Briefly describe what attendees can expect from your session. This description will appear in the online program and may be included with a photograph taken. (700 characters MAX)

• Proposal Information:
  • Does this submission involve the development, validation, or study of a simulator, simulation, or simulation-based curriculum?
  • Has the simulator model or simulation activity been successfully used with proven demonstrative results?
  • If selected to participate in the event, will you bring the simulator device or your laptop to demonstrate the project or provide a video demonstration? (Note: The submitter is responsible for the coordination of any materials they plan to share)

• Submission Comments: Please use this section to provide any additional information about your submission that you believe is important and relevant to your simulation for consideration during the review process.
• Select “Preview & Submit”
• Review and click “Submit” – Abstracts will not be complete and considered for presentation unless formally submitted. Incomplete information including presenter disclosures may prevent the “Submit” function.