Fellow optometrists: Fasten your seat belts and get ready to rev up your engines! SECO 2009 is right around the corner, and once again, this world class Congress is gathering the best and brightest in optometry to help you prepare for the challenging road ahead.
SECO 2009, which will be held in
The estimated 8,000 attendees who come to SECO from across the globe will have a unique opportunity to hear the latest information, to network and share ideas with colleagues of all ages, and to have a great time during SECOs numerous social events.
Once again, SECOs Continuing Education Committee has created each course from the ground up, with new topics, new lecturers, new panels and unique general sessions that set the bar for the profession. SECO will offer more than 150 hours of education and more than 90 total courses to O.D.s.
SECO, the Education Destination, will once again offer it all, from CE to networking opportunities during the annual Congress from March 4-8 in
Many of the courses and tracks, cleverly titled with road and highway themes, will drive home what you need to provide the best patient care and build a successful practice.
This years successful lineup includes the He Said, She Said Track; Navigating Through the Neuro Track; the Joint O.D./A.O.P. Building Bridges Track for entire practice team learning; The High Octane Nutrition Track, a new program this year at SECO that emphasizes physical fitness and the role of nutrition and the eye; The Cadillac Practice Track; and the Take the Highway Track, which will give you a roadmap on how to avoid malpractice suits and wrong turns with insurance plans.
Other tracks you wont want to miss include The Road Less Traveled Track, where you will get a unique look at enucleation and prosthetic eyes, and Rev Up Your Red Eyes Track where world-renowned ophthalmologist Stephen Foster, M.D., will present Secrets of a Uveitis Expert.
From the opening session titled The Road Ahead, moderated by the ever-popular Paul Karpecki, O.D., to The Final Destination, with perennial favorites Ron Melton, O.D., and Randall Thomas, O.D., SECO 2009 will once again help you to cross the finish line.
SECO 2009 will feature an A.O.P. program that includes 10 all-new educational tracks and more than 200 hours of continuing education courses to choose from. As most of these courses have no fee, SECO 2009 delivers tremendous value to the optometric team that is unsurpassed in the profession. These new A.O.P. tracks include: Tune-Up Track; Thunder Road Track; High Performance Assisting Track; Looking on Down the Road Track; From Road Map to GPS Track; Warning: Curves Ahead Track; Para Track; Full Speed Ahead Track; Getting Your License Track; and Avoiding Road Rage Track.
Whether you are attending the opening session or hopping a ride on an escalator to your next course, every moment of SECO 2009 will be memorable.
SECO remains committed to working with students and residents. With that in mind, SECO will feature the Approaching Your Destination Track on Saturday, which will include Crash Test Dummies, Legal Issues Facing the New Graduate, and Cold Start? Residents will also have a chance to present cases in the Rear View Mirror Track.
Additionally, for the first time, SECO will offer Exclusive MBA Courses, which will provide advanced learning opportunities for optometrists. This year, SECO 2009 will feature two Management & Business Academy (MBA) courses provided by CIBA Vision and Essilor. The courses include Creating a Culture of Excellence and Twenty Tips to Increase Profitability Tomorrow. This is the first time these courses will be offered at a major meeting.
Of course, the unparalleled CE Program is just one of the key factors that distinguishes this annual meeting from all others. While you are at SECO, be sure to visit Optometrys Marketplace, which will provide the latest technology, equipment and products for every attendee.
SECO will feature more than 300 industry-leading companies in Optometrys Marketplace, which will be open four additional hours this year and will showcase the latest technology, equipment and products available on the market.
Also, visit the
Finally, our events, as usual, will be unsurpassed in innovation and entertainment value. Heres a look at SECOs exciting events for 2009:
Start Your Engines Dont miss this kick-off event held in the Omni Hotels Atrium Terrace, overlooking the CNN Center. Held from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., on Wednesday, March 4, this reception will feature live music by the Joe Gransden Quartet, light appetizers and drinks.
Road Trip Back by popular demand, the Fur Buses will shuttle people to the popular Atlantic Station where the incomparable Bad Habits band will be playing at the Fox Sports Grill. From 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, participants can help the Bad Habits celebrate their 10-year anniversary at SECO.
Student Party All students are invited to the Student Party on Friday, March 6, in the Inter-national Ballroom E&F in the Omni Hotel from 9:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.
First Annual Allied Ophthalmic Professionals Networking Reception SECO 2009 is inviting all the Allied Ophthalmic Professionals to attend this inaugural reception on Friday, March 6, from 5:15 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Omni Hotel CNN Center.
Winners Circle All SECO attendees are invited to attend this special event from 8:00 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, March 7 at the world-renowned Georgia Aquarium. American Idol alum and country music sensation Kellie Pickler will headline the event. Guests will enjoy an exclusive evening of entertainment, light appetizers and cocktails.
Dont forget: You can still register early and use our easy online registration process, which will guarantee a seat at the courses and activities of your choice, along with discounted rates.
On behalf of the entire Continuing Education Committee, I look forward to seeing you in
Sincerely,
Dr. Paul C. Ajamian
SECOs General Chairman
of the Continuing Education Committee
