World Congress Special Events

Make sure your busy World Congress Schedule includes time for these fun networking events.

Walk Through Time
Visit AOPA’s Walk Through Time in the Exhibit Hall to see a visual display of O&P through the years. If you have memorabilia to lend, email tcarlson@aopanet.org a photo and approximate date for consideration. If you are interested in creating your own Walk through Time display, see the Patient Care Facilities flier and the Supplier flier.

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

1:00 – 5:00 PM
Pre-Show Transfemoral Socket Symposium
This expert level course will provide an overview of the research and development work that led to the Northwestern University Flexible Sub-Ischial Vacuum (NU-FlexSIV) Socket, a socket technique designed to improve comfort for persons with transfemoral amputation.  Space is limited and tickets are required.

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

1:00 – 5:00 PM
Thranhardt Golf Classic
Join your colleagues for a fun afternoon of golf at the Las Vegas National Golf Club. Network with top leaders in O&P at the Thranhardt Golf Classic. We have scheduled the tournament for Wednesday, Sept. 6 from 1:00 to 5:00PM so you can fly in on Wednesday morning, catch the luxury motor coach to the tournament and enjoy an afternoon of golf with all your O&P friends and colleagues.   Visit www.lasvegasnational.com for more information.

Support two great causes, AOPA’s Capitol Connection and OPAF & The First Clinics. Strengthen OPAF’s efforts and the legislative, research and education efforts of the Capitol Connection to further the O&P policy agenda. Individual tickets are $195 and four-somes are $750 and include green fees, cart fees, pre-round range balls, transportation via luxury motor coach and an awards ceremony.

5:30 – 7:30 PM
Welcome to Las Vegas Reception
DON’T MISS THE SHOWSTOPPING OPENING RECEPTION as exhibitors greet you—Vegas Style. During the reception exhibitors will compete to show you the best Vegas has to offer through costumes, props and entertainment. Refreshments will be served. Remember to vote using the mobile, AOPA 365, under the contest section. The Welcome Reception is included in your full conference registration. Guest tickets may be purchased for $45 per individual.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

9:00 – 10:00 AM
Professional Women of O&P Celebrating Success
Women registering as full conference attendees for the 2017 World Congress are invited to join us for a special event for women at this year’s 2017 World Congress.  AOPA’s 2017 World Congress Planning Committee has organized a program to offer all women working in the O&P profession a casual networking brunch and the opportunity to learn from successful women in O&P.  Join us to hear from these outstanding leaders, who will share insight to their success in the O&P field:

• Marita Dorsh-Carozza, CP, FAAOP, a successful clinician and business owner who has mentored many young practitioners;
• Rosie Jovane’, an ISPO representative from Central America who champions O&P around the world.
• Wendy Beattie, CPO, FAAOP, an outstanding O&P educator, mentor, and practitioner.

Space is limited. Confirm your participation on the World Congress registration form.  For more information, please contact Betty Leppin at bleppin@aopanet.org or 571-431-0876.  A special thanks to our sponsors: Hanger and Townsend (Thuasne USA)

Noon – 1:00 PM
Lunch and Learn– Exoskeletons and NeuroRehab – Where are we Headed?
Join us for a lunch buffet and advanced level discussion on the Indications for Use (i.e. Stroke, MS, Parkinsons, etc); Technology direction; Price Points and affordability; Reimbursement potential; Clinical Trials; and Home vs Clinic.  This session is designed for seasoned prosthetists. Space is limited and a ticket are required.

5:30 – 6:30 PM
Centennial Celebration
Join conference participants, on Thursday, September 7 in the exhibit hall, as we celebrate AOPA’s Centennial and 100 Years of the formalized O&P Profession with a Champagne Toast.

6:30 – 9:30 PM
Party with a Purpose
Let’s celebrate 100 years of success—Las Vegas Style!  Reserve your ticket for this elaborate 1920’s themed party at the 1923 Bourbon Bar—A Modern Speakeasy, immediately following the Centennial Celebration on Thursday, September 7. Enjoy extensive, prohibition inspired cocktails, a delicious dinner, live entertainment and a cigar lounge.  Since this event is a fundraiser for the O&P PAC, rules apply. Tickets must be purchased separately but can be reserved in advance. Space is limited and the event will sell out. Get authorized with the PAC and we will send you more information.

Friday, September 8, 2017

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Las Vegas Guest Tour
We will start this private tour at the original Las Vegas, Fremont Street. See where it all began along with a view of the world’s largest whole golden nugget. Your professional Las Vegas tour guide provides a colorful history and dialogue of this great destination as you proceed southward down Las Vegas Boulevard. Our second stop will be the new Las Vegas High Roller – the world’s largest observation sky wheel with 28 pods holding 40 passengers each. The wheel takes 30 minutes to complete and features broad views of Las Vegas and the Strip. After leaving the High Roller, you will continue down the strip taking in all the sights and sounds of Las Vegas. Last, but certainly not least, is a stop at the world famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign. Tickets are $95 per individual.

3:15 – 4:30 PM
Technology Transfer Program
Join inventors and researchers from educational, clinical and manufacturing sectors, both within and outside of our industry, to present their ideas to an audience of manufacturing and clinical representatives, along with investors and venture capitalists from outside our industry. Review state of the art ideas, processes, designs and products about to be commercialized. A one hour networking wine-and-cheese reception will be held for inventors and investors to network following the presentation.

4:30 – 5:30 PM
Poster Sessions
Research posters will be on display throughout the day on Thursday and Friday.  The Congress has dedicated an hour for you to meet with researchers and learn more about their presentation while enjoying a glass of wine.

5:30 – 6:30 PM
Happy Hour Reception
What better way of wrapping up a full day of learning than spending an hour in the exhibit hall, enjoying refreshments and networking with your colleagues and exhibitors.  The Happy Hour is hosted by exhibitors- Las Vegas style.  A list of sponsors will be included in the final program and on the website to make it easier for you to partake in the fun.  The Happy Hour reception is included in your full conference registration.

Register for the free Step It Up Challenge
Participate in a 3 day Step-It-Up Challenge! Each day participants can track their steps via phone, separate app, fitness tracker, pedometer, etc. Participants must post a picture of their daily steps by 6PM on each day in the Activity Feed of the AOPA 365 app or present their data to the Step it up race headquarters, located in the info booth. Thanks to our sponsor MD Orthopaedics.

Play the Giant Slot Machine and $2000 Giveaway
Back by popular demand. As you attend educational sessions, be sure to get your tokens for the giant slot machine located in the exhibit hall.  Test your luck and play your tokens to win fabulous prizes from exhibitors and AOPA – Sponsored by: Townsend Design/ Thuasne USA

Alumni Connection
When completing your World Congress registration, be sure to include your graduating school and year so you can be invited to connect with other alumni from your school. (Even if it is the school of hard knocks, connect with your classmates.)

• Connect with your classmates through AOPA’s mobile app, AOPA 365 – your school will be set up as a networking group
• Proudly wear your school button which will be provided at registration
• Join your friends at the Welcome Receptions where you will find a table and message board for your school.
• Share pictures messages and more through the Facebook event page.
• Meet your friends at informal social gatherings on Saturday night.

NUPOC
7:30 PM, Wednesday, Sept 6
Fleur (Mandalay Bay)

Technical Fabrication Contest
Start practicing!  This year’s technical fabrication contest will feature a timed competition on the exhibit hall show floor.

Sign up, Strut your stuff and show the profession that you are the best technical fabricator in the O&P profession. Winners receive – Bragging Rights and cash prizes.

• First Place Winner receives a $500 Cash Prize
• Runner up receive a $200 Cash Prize

All World Congress registrants may participate unless they are a judge, work for a contest sponsor or are on the World Congress Planning Committee or AOPA Board of Directors.

Thanks to our sponsors: