Monthly Archives: May 2012

American Pain Society Holds 31st Annual Scientific Meeting at the Hawai`i Convention Center

Posted on by
Reply

Attendees of the American Pain Society 31st Annual Scientific Meeting check in at the HCC lobby. Photo courtesy of Chuck Weber.

The American Pain Society (APS) drew more than 1,000 attendees to the Hawai`i Convention Center from May 16-19, 2012, for its 31st annual scientific meeting.  It is the first time the APS has held its annual meeting at the Hawai`i Convention Center, attracting participants from around the world, including Japan, Australia, Canada, and Europe.

The meeting offered an opportunity for pain management clinicians and researchers, including physicians, nurses, psychologists, basic scientists, pharmacists, and policy analysts, to learn more about the diagnosis, treatment, and management of acute pain, chronic cancer and non-cancer pain, and recurrent pain.  More than 40 in-depth workshops and plenary session talks were offered.

The meeting brought in an estimated $4.7 million in state revenue, with the Center’s hotel partners benefiting from more than 8,000 room nights.

“As the premier conference meeting for the multi-disciplinary pain care community, the American Pain Society’s annual scientific meeting enables attendees to interact with the best and the brightest in pain research and learn ways to translate scientific discoveries into clinical practice,” said APS President Seddon R. Savage, MD.  “Hawai`i has provided us with a top-notch location for our meeting.”

Headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, APS is the leading multi-disciplinary professional organization in the United States dedicated to advancing pain-related research, education, treatment, and team-oriented professional practice.  Learn more at www.ampainsoc.org.

Kokua: To Be Helpful and Work Cooperatively With Your Fellow Workers, Especially During Stressful Times

Posted on by
Reply

Our HCC Hawaiian Value of the Month is Kokua.

What is Kokua?

When visitors come to our islands, they see kokua on our garbage cans and ponder if this means “garbage cans” in Hawaiian.  We see kokua on signs in the market, on the streets, and we hear people say it.

Our Hawaiian word Kokua is widely used and is part of our culture.  Our workplace, schools, and businesses are built on a team effort by working together collectively in achieving our mission and goals through practicing kokua.  Practicing kokua is reflected through our values and behavior by volunteering to help others without being asked, sharing resources with others who need it, going out of your way to make someone’s day, or making a special effort to work together with others, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Our large event in May, the American Association of Orthodontists, displayed kokua in action.  Our HCC employees, working alongside with our various contractors, hosted our guests and visitors with an exceptional convention and an outstanding and beautiful Hawaiian experience at our place.

We would like to acknowledge everyone for their kokua in making this event a success.

Mahalo Nui for a convention well done!

American Association of Orthodontists 112th Annual Session is Largest of the Year for the Hawai`i Convention Center

Posted on by
Reply

HCC Welcomes Back the American Association of Orthodontists This Week

The Hawai`i Convention Center welcomes back the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) this week, which last held its annual conference in Hawai`i in 2003.

Nearly 15,000 people are expected to attend the AAO’s 112th Annual Session at the Center from May 4-8, 2012.  It is the Center’s largest meeting of the year, including post-conference educational meetings on Oahu, Maui, and Kauai.

This premier gathering of orthodontists is expected to draw 850 international attendees representing more than 65 countries, topping international turnout at last year’s annual conference in Chicago.  More than 400 participants are expected from Pacific Rim countries including China, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and Taiwan.

The conference is expected to generate more than $68 million in state revenue, with the Center’s hotel partners benefiting from 116,600 room nights.

“It is a pleasure to host our Annual Session in Hawai`i – the Aloha Spirit, facilities and services, and natural beauty are unbeatable,” said Michael Rogers, DDS, AAO president.  “This year’s meeting will feature a robust lineup of educational events spanning three islands, as well as a special schedule that allows plenty of time for our members to experience the wonderful activities that Hawai`i has to offer.”

AAO members will also have the opportunity to visit state-of-the-art displays by more than 300 companies offering orthodontic products and services at the Annual Session Exhibit Hall.  In addition, members will have a chance to give back to Hawai`i communities via a “Virtual Food Bank,” where they can donate to the Hawai`i Food Bank through a computer kiosk at the Center.

Honolulu orthodontist Dr. Lili Horton is interviewed on May 3, 2012, by Howard Dicus of Hawai`i News Now Sunrise about the AAO's 112th Annual Session.

Read an interview with Dr. Lili Horton, local arrangements chair of the AAO planning committee.

Click below to view the Hawai`i News Now interview with Dr. Lili Horton.

Founded in 1900, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is the world’s oldest and largest dental specialty organization.  It represents more than 17,000 members throughout the United States, Canada and abroad.  Visit www.aaomembers.org or www.MyLifeMySmile.org for more information.