Tips for First-Time Annual Meeting Attendees

Plan Ahead

It’s time to start mapping out your #OTOMTG25 game plan! Before you arrive at the Annual Meeting, you’ll want to make sure you have registered for the conference, booked your hotel, and have checked out all that Indianapolis has to offer. If you require a Visa to travel to the United States of America, now is the time to begin the visa process. If you need an invitation letter to present to the embassy/consulate, please complete and submit this form.

This year’s program offers 520+ groundbreaking sessions, so now is the perfect time to explore the program and start creating your own schedule. Looking for additional ways to plan ahead? Be sure to view our series of #OTOMTG25 guides. Once you arrive in Indianapolis, take 10-15 minutes each night to go over the next day’s schedule.

Engage

While you’re absorbing the latest science and new clinical approaches, take advantage of the many opportunities available to expand your professional network and tap the minds of leaders. Don’t be afraid to ask a speaker a question, introduce yourself to a new friend at a networking event, or sit in as a guest on a committee meeting.

Attend the General Assemblies

Many of you belong to at least one Academy section, and the General Assemblies held during the Annual Meeting are the perfect opportunity for you to learn about the work and initiatives of the Board of Governors, the Sections, and the International Advisory Board.

Get out of Your Comfort Zone

Attend at least one session completely out of your specialty and comfort zone to learn something new and see what’s going on outside of your purview. The full online education schedule is available now and can be viewed by specialty track.

“Ask the Experts”

Formerly known as “Office Hours” and “Stump the Experts,” “Ask the Experts” is an opportunity for a smaller room discussion to access our expert speakers and faculty and ask case-based and burning questions.

Utilize the Endless Resources at Your Disposal

Use the program website to help you plan out your time in Indianapolis and navigate the Annual Meeting as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Also be sure to check out the Bulletin for new Annual Meeting content, as well as our various social media channels including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the latest updates. The mobile app will also be available later this summer, and that will be an extremely valuable tool to help you plan your time in Indy.

Bring Those Business Cards

Make connections by networking and sharing your contact information with fellow attendees. Those relationships can turn out to be beneficial professionally and personally. Many lifelong friendships and mentor/mentee relationships began at the Annual Meeting, so don’t be shy and make a connection for life!

Visit the OTO EXPO and Wellness Zone, sponsored by Sanofi

Frequent the events, education, exhibitors, Scientific Posters, lunch, and more in the OTO EXPO Saturday through Monday. With over 250 exhibitors in the OTO EXPO, attendees can participate in hands-on demonstrations and Q&A about innovative, new products and technology that can help improve your practice and enhance patient care.

While you’re in the OTO EXPO, be sure to stop by the Wellness Zone, sponsored by Sanofi! This new experience in the OTO EXPO area is designed to help surgeons decompress and recharge through the following offerings:

• Reflexology
• Compression + Eye Massage
• Red Light Therapy
• Rapid Release Massage
• Immunity Bar
• Wellness Pantry
• Wellness Classes

The Academy hopes that surgeons take some of these actionable strategies home to implement long-term to reduce stress.

The Learning Continues!

Full conference registrants will receive free online access to all recorded education sessions through OTO Logic, the AAO-HNSF’s Otolaryngology Learning Networking, for three years.