LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: REGISTRATION, REGISTRATION, REGISTRATION!

Imagine you're a professor at an optometry school. You enter your classroom with a bundle of midterm examinations in your hand, running a little late because you've been having a spirited scientific discussion with a former student. As you enter the room less than five minutes before the start of the midterm, you hear the sound of a few pairs of hands clapping. Soon, the entire room applauds, and the sound of that applause builds to a crescendo before stopping. You can hardly fathom what's happening. Are these students so appreciative of your teaching skill that they applaud BEFORE an exam? Are they being sarcastic because you're running so late? Do they applaud routinely for any little thing?

No, as with many things, it turns out to be about location, location, location. Their class was rescheduled to a nicer classroom, and they think you're responsible, even though it was a central administrative decision, hence your raucous accolades.

The Academy meeting benefits from location, too. Because the Academy meeting moves around, it’s not like Groundhog Day. It means that I remember that I became a Fellow in St. Louis and that the Steve Grant, Glenda Secor, Joe Shovlin, Joe Barr, and Jeff Dougal crowd became Diplomates in Denver. A memorable Academy meeting can be inextricably associated with its location.

Our record-breaking meeting attendance in San Francisco in 2010 is attributable in no small part to that magical city. Well, there’s more magic on the way! This year, the meeting is in one of the most vibrant of American cities: Boston. Earlier this week, AOA Board member and Academy Fellow, Mitch Munson, (and, it turns out, past Neumueller awardee!) sighed, “Boston is my favorite city.” It's got history, food, walkability, sightseeing, lovely autumn weather ... all components worthy of a long, loud round of applause.

But it's also got content. If you are considering sitting for a Board Certification examination anytime soon, check out the schedule for Academy 2011 Boston. All the categories outlined by the American Board of Optometry are represented in the Boston scientific papers, Section symposia, lectures, and workshops, several times over. It’s a four-day comprehensive review course in a beautiful city, and it happens every autumn! Who knew? You all do.

So, you’ve heard me. Fabulous location, great science, comprehensive education, and unparalleled camaraderie with your favorite optometrists and vision scientists. What should you do? Go to the registration page for registration, registration, registration. See you for a cup of chowdah and countless rounds of applause!
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