National Assembly Takes Center Stage in Hollywood, Florida
By Kim Fernandez
The 2006 Assembly marks the return of the traditional day pattern of Wednesday through Saturday, allowing busy practitioners the opportunity to schedule time away from the office to learn and grow. With dozens of educational events and opportunities and a huge exhibit hall, attendees will return home armed with new knowledge, ideas and leads to make their businesses more successful than ever.
Assembly highlights
More of us than ever are fans of court- and law-themed television shows. The excitement and intrigue has us all hooked, but how often do you get to see a case played out live? This year’s Assembly will feature a unique mock trial, where two real attorneys will face off and argue their cases before a “judge” and audience.
This is a great opportunity for O&P practitioners and staff members to learn valuable legal lessons before finding themselves in a real courtroom. The mock trial promises to be both educational and entertaining and is sure to be a big hit.
Another can’t-miss event is the “Top 10” series, where experts from a variety of specialties will give you the top 10 strategies, solutions and ideas on different subjects. You won’t be able to tear yourself away from this series, which will include sessions on handling denials, getting paid by skilled nursing facilities, supplier number audits, opening a new office and collections, just to name a few. The format is fast-paced and fascinating, and you won’t want to miss a minute.
You’ll want to be sure to catch this year’s award-winning Thranhardt Lectures, which offer a $1,000 honorarium for one hour of educational programming at the AOPA National Assembly and the Academy Annual Meeting. The Clinical Sessions Work Group has chosen the top two clinical abstracts from all that were submitted. The Thranhardt winners will each receive a $500 honorarium, but you are the big winner with these top-notch presentations!
Of course, wandering the aisles of the 175+ booth exhibit hall is one of the best ways to gather new ideas and contacts to grow and improve your business. Exhibitors will come from every facet of the industry, prepared with the latest and greatest tools and concepts for O&P practitioners. 2006 also marks the debut of the exhibit hall’s Pedorthic Pavilion, which is sure to be a must-see.
The symposium on efficacy and outcome studies will offer valuable information on a host of important topics, including a new tool to assess the O&P needs of motor disabled people, new treatments for varus knee OA and the manufacturer’s role in supporting reimbursement claims. You can also hear talks on comparing management strategies for the transfemoral amputee and how to establish objective outcomes measurements.
Pair all of this with the opportunity to earn 35 CE credits—this is the only national show whose attendees automatically receive certificates of attendance—and you’ll see why Hollywood is the place to be this September. If it sounds like a lot, it is. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be time for a little fun in the sun, too!
The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa
Take a moment to listen before opening the front door of the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa. Just pause for a second; be still. The whoosh of the ocean crashing on the beach effortlessly mingles with the sounds of laughter as couples and families play in the sand. Take a deep breath—smell the salt in that breeze?
Now open the door and let luxury envelop you. Even inside, palm trees tower over a fountain and comfortable chairs beckon you to unfold the morning paper and settle in with a cup of coffee in the sun-drenched atrium.
Perhaps you’ll arrive early and spend a morning in the resort’s spa, enjoying a massage or any one of a long list of fitness classes and activities. Sunless tanning, reflexology, a number of massage techniques, and mineral baths are all available to guests, who may also request services in the privacy of their rooms or suites.
Golf sound good? The 155-acre, 18-hole Joe Lee-designed course features four par-5 holes and a 570-yard hole that’s one of the longest in the state.
Golf carts boast the ParView GPS system, which allows players to order refreshments on the course, and all golfers enjoy spectacular architectural features and fountains, in addition to the amenities one would expect on such a course.
Maybe you’re more of a water person. Before or after taking in the day’s Assembly events, take a stroll out to the resort’s private marina and choose from a number of Jet Skis, Air Cats, kayaks, or fishing boats. Always wanted to try out a Segway? They’re here, along with motor scooters and bicycles for city exploring. You can also book a waterskiing trip or try wake boarding or tubing.
The Westin Diplomat takes its swimming very seriously—no kidney-shaped pool here! Instead, experience the resort’s outdoor bridged pool. It has a see-through bottom, with waterfalls flowing into the 240-foot lagoon pool below—you’ve never seen anything like it.
The resort also features tennis, fitness and beauty facilities, as well as 24-hour room service. But things really come to life at night, when two distinct nightclubs open their doors for dancing and socializing. Choose from nine restaurants, ranging from coffeehouses to steak houses and everything in between.
AOPA-led events include a south Florida waterway tour, First Swing and Learn to Golf clinics, and the annual business meeting and member breakfast.
Exploring Hollywood
Were you in Hollywood with AOPA in 2004? Since then, the city has experienced a tremendous influx of restaurants, clubs, shops and activities sure to thrill just about anyone, from the environmentalist to the gourmet diner to the adventurous spirit.
Outside the resort, endless opportunities await to explore and enjoy this tropical paradise. More than seven miles of oceanfront beaches and the picturesque Intracoastal Waterway mean white sand and blue water as far as the eye can see, and Florida’s only oceanfront broadwalk gives you a 27-foot-wide path to enjoy it.
One of the biggest changes 2004 attendees will notice is right outside the hotel’s front door. Directly across the street stands Diplomat Landing—a strip of boutiques, restaurants, and casual eateries. From the Westin Diplomat, it’s an easy jaunt over to this upscale shopping and dining development.
Along the much-lauded broadwalk stand dozens of shops, boutiques, and eateries. Enjoy a burger on the beach or find the perfect beach toys for little ones in these family-owned establishments. You’ll also find white tablecloth seafood and Latin-themed restaurants, as well as more casual eating establishments of almost every style and atmosphere.
Nightlife
After a day’s learning and activities, you might want a night out to unwind and catch up with old industry friends. Kick things off on the boardwalk at Bu’s Beach Bar, or check out Club M on Hollywood Boulevard, or Club Sonar, a semi-underground nightclub with a futuristic touch. House and electronic music merge with martinis and Moroccan-inspired tapas, and an art gallery features a new artist each month.
For something a little more traditional, try Gusto’s All American Grill and Bar, on Federal Highway. Belly up to the pool tables at this sports bar and relax with friends until 2 a.m.
On Seminole Way, Jazziz Bistro & Live Music offers jazz, entertainment, and top-tier dining. Up the street is Murphy’s Law Irish Pub, with Irish beers on the menu and live music nightly.
Start planning
Registration for the 2006 National Assembly opened on June 1, and attendees who register before Aug. 30 will receive the discounted early bird rate. Housing reservations must be received by Aug. 30 to guarantee the nightly group rate of $175 (subject to availability).
Registration forms are included in the preliminary program, which mailed May 26. Or you can visit www.AOPAnet.org, where you can register, make hotel arrangements, sign up for the golf tournament, review speaker bios, preview the exhibitor list, and explore links to exhibitors’ Web sites.
Don’t miss the chance to experience affordable luxury, excitement, and everything O&P. For more information about the 2006 National Assembly, contact Sheila Pasquini at (571) 431-0876, ext. 234, or assembly@AOPAnet.org.
Kim Fernandez is a freelance writer based in Bethesda, Md.
Welcome to Hollywood!
If you haven’t already, mark your calendar and make reservations to attend the 2006 AOPA National Assembly at the tropical and luxurious Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Fla., Sept. 27-30. As seasoned Assembly attendees already know, this is the biggest and best annual event in the industry, with the largest trade show anywhere and unparalleled educational and professional opportunities, all set against a beautiful beach background with plenty to occupy “off” hours.The 2006 Assembly marks the return of the traditional day pattern of Wednesday through Saturday, allowing busy practitioners the opportunity to schedule time away from the office to learn and grow. With dozens of educational events and opportunities and a huge exhibit hall, attendees will return home armed with new knowledge, ideas and leads to make their businesses more successful than ever.
Assembly highlights
More of us than ever are fans of court- and law-themed television shows. The excitement and intrigue has us all hooked, but how often do you get to see a case played out live? This year’s Assembly will feature a unique mock trial, where two real attorneys will face off and argue their cases before a “judge” and audience.
This is a great opportunity for O&P practitioners and staff members to learn valuable legal lessons before finding themselves in a real courtroom. The mock trial promises to be both educational and entertaining and is sure to be a big hit.
Another can’t-miss event is the “Top 10” series, where experts from a variety of specialties will give you the top 10 strategies, solutions and ideas on different subjects. You won’t be able to tear yourself away from this series, which will include sessions on handling denials, getting paid by skilled nursing facilities, supplier number audits, opening a new office and collections, just to name a few. The format is fast-paced and fascinating, and you won’t want to miss a minute.
You’ll want to be sure to catch this year’s award-winning Thranhardt Lectures, which offer a $1,000 honorarium for one hour of educational programming at the AOPA National Assembly and the Academy Annual Meeting. The Clinical Sessions Work Group has chosen the top two clinical abstracts from all that were submitted. The Thranhardt winners will each receive a $500 honorarium, but you are the big winner with these top-notch presentations!
Of course, wandering the aisles of the 175+ booth exhibit hall is one of the best ways to gather new ideas and contacts to grow and improve your business. Exhibitors will come from every facet of the industry, prepared with the latest and greatest tools and concepts for O&P practitioners. 2006 also marks the debut of the exhibit hall’s Pedorthic Pavilion, which is sure to be a must-see.
The symposium on efficacy and outcome studies will offer valuable information on a host of important topics, including a new tool to assess the O&P needs of motor disabled people, new treatments for varus knee OA and the manufacturer’s role in supporting reimbursement claims. You can also hear talks on comparing management strategies for the transfemoral amputee and how to establish objective outcomes measurements.
Pair all of this with the opportunity to earn 35 CE credits—this is the only national show whose attendees automatically receive certificates of attendance—and you’ll see why Hollywood is the place to be this September. If it sounds like a lot, it is. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be time for a little fun in the sun, too!
The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa
Take a moment to listen before opening the front door of the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa. Just pause for a second; be still. The whoosh of the ocean crashing on the beach effortlessly mingles with the sounds of laughter as couples and families play in the sand. Take a deep breath—smell the salt in that breeze?
Now open the door and let luxury envelop you. Even inside, palm trees tower over a fountain and comfortable chairs beckon you to unfold the morning paper and settle in with a cup of coffee in the sun-drenched atrium.
Perhaps you’ll arrive early and spend a morning in the resort’s spa, enjoying a massage or any one of a long list of fitness classes and activities. Sunless tanning, reflexology, a number of massage techniques, and mineral baths are all available to guests, who may also request services in the privacy of their rooms or suites.
Golf sound good? The 155-acre, 18-hole Joe Lee-designed course features four par-5 holes and a 570-yard hole that’s one of the longest in the state.
Golf carts boast the ParView GPS system, which allows players to order refreshments on the course, and all golfers enjoy spectacular architectural features and fountains, in addition to the amenities one would expect on such a course.
Maybe you’re more of a water person. Before or after taking in the day’s Assembly events, take a stroll out to the resort’s private marina and choose from a number of Jet Skis, Air Cats, kayaks, or fishing boats. Always wanted to try out a Segway? They’re here, along with motor scooters and bicycles for city exploring. You can also book a waterskiing trip or try wake boarding or tubing.
The Westin Diplomat takes its swimming very seriously—no kidney-shaped pool here! Instead, experience the resort’s outdoor bridged pool. It has a see-through bottom, with waterfalls flowing into the 240-foot lagoon pool below—you’ve never seen anything like it.
The resort also features tennis, fitness and beauty facilities, as well as 24-hour room service. But things really come to life at night, when two distinct nightclubs open their doors for dancing and socializing. Choose from nine restaurants, ranging from coffeehouses to steak houses and everything in between.
AOPA-led events include a south Florida waterway tour, First Swing and Learn to Golf clinics, and the annual business meeting and member breakfast.
Exploring Hollywood
Were you in Hollywood with AOPA in 2004? Since then, the city has experienced a tremendous influx of restaurants, clubs, shops and activities sure to thrill just about anyone, from the environmentalist to the gourmet diner to the adventurous spirit.
Outside the resort, endless opportunities await to explore and enjoy this tropical paradise. More than seven miles of oceanfront beaches and the picturesque Intracoastal Waterway mean white sand and blue water as far as the eye can see, and Florida’s only oceanfront broadwalk gives you a 27-foot-wide path to enjoy it.
One of the biggest changes 2004 attendees will notice is right outside the hotel’s front door. Directly across the street stands Diplomat Landing—a strip of boutiques, restaurants, and casual eateries. From the Westin Diplomat, it’s an easy jaunt over to this upscale shopping and dining development.
Along the much-lauded broadwalk stand dozens of shops, boutiques, and eateries. Enjoy a burger on the beach or find the perfect beach toys for little ones in these family-owned establishments. You’ll also find white tablecloth seafood and Latin-themed restaurants, as well as more casual eating establishments of almost every style and atmosphere.
Nightlife
After a day’s learning and activities, you might want a night out to unwind and catch up with old industry friends. Kick things off on the boardwalk at Bu’s Beach Bar, or check out Club M on Hollywood Boulevard, or Club Sonar, a semi-underground nightclub with a futuristic touch. House and electronic music merge with martinis and Moroccan-inspired tapas, and an art gallery features a new artist each month.
For something a little more traditional, try Gusto’s All American Grill and Bar, on Federal Highway. Belly up to the pool tables at this sports bar and relax with friends until 2 a.m.
On Seminole Way, Jazziz Bistro & Live Music offers jazz, entertainment, and top-tier dining. Up the street is Murphy’s Law Irish Pub, with Irish beers on the menu and live music nightly.
Start planning
Registration for the 2006 National Assembly opened on June 1, and attendees who register before Aug. 30 will receive the discounted early bird rate. Housing reservations must be received by Aug. 30 to guarantee the nightly group rate of $175 (subject to availability).
Registration forms are included in the preliminary program, which mailed May 26. Or you can visit www.AOPAnet.org, where you can register, make hotel arrangements, sign up for the golf tournament, review speaker bios, preview the exhibitor list, and explore links to exhibitors’ Web sites.
Don’t miss the chance to experience affordable luxury, excitement, and everything O&P. For more information about the 2006 National Assembly, contact Sheila Pasquini at (571) 431-0876, ext. 234, or assembly@AOPAnet.org.
Kim Fernandez is a freelance writer based in Bethesda, Md.
