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AO Annual Meeting Program Committee

Jeffrey Ganeles (US)
Chair

Andre De Souza (US)

Lars Janson (US)

Joseph Y.K. Kan (US)

Bach Le (US)

Irene Marron-Tarrazzi (US)

Megan Ratliff (US)

Briar Voy (US)

Jeffrey Ganeles 
Board Liaison

Gina Seegers, AO Director of Meetings and Conventions
Staff Contact

General Responsibilities

The purpose of the annual meeting committee is to investigate and to help formulate the overall shape of the annual meeting into an attractive, popular structure and successful format that reflects AO’s mission, vision, member needs and sponsor preferences while maintaining AO’s financial viability. The Annual Meeting Committee is not charged with developing scientific content or selection of speakers but will work with staff and consult with the Annual Meeting Program Chair and Committee to establish AO’s annual meeting the foremost successful meeting of its kind.

Specific Responsibilities

  • Financial break-even or profit?
  • Showcase AO as having “the best knowledge, speakers and presentations”
  • Work with staff to present innovative and attractive venues, formats, meeting esthetics
  • Work with industry representatives to make meetings “business-friendly” and receptive without creating appearances of bias
  • Make recommendations to BOD to implement

Strategic Plan Responsibilities

  • To be determined pending AO’s 2025/28 strategic plan approval

Qualifications (Minimum)

  • Active Member who has attended annual meetings with the exception of the Corporate Liaison, who has no voting rights.

Composition

6-8 members from AO membership will serve staggered 3-year terms. Members may be reappointed pending chairman recommendation as long as desired (no term limits if someone is particularly good), including past presidents.

Tasks for Annual Meeting Committee

  • Critically review 2025 meeting
  • Review AV provider
  • Set design
  • Media (round, 3D, VR, etc.)

Review dates and venues for meetings after 2028

  • Avoid conflict with IDS, etc.
  • Look at warmer months opening options to more cities
  • Consider hotel-based meetings instead of convention centers
  • Consider alternate year meetings

Review structure of Annual Meeting

  • Become more corporate friendly
    • time for corporate forums
    • opportunities to interact with attendees
    • input from corporate representatives
  • Integrate rewards ceremony
  • Streamline VIP event, President’s reception
  • Best practices from other successful organizations and events

Event promotion

  • Work with staff and other committees to create constant information flow
  • Marketing and advertising

 

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