Eyeworld

26 | EYEWORLD | MARCH 2021 ASCRS NEWS ASCRS prepares for 2021 Annual by Steve Speares ASCRS Executive Director A SCRS announced that the 2021 Annual Meeting will be held July 23–27 in Las Vegas, Nevada, moving from the previous location of San Francisco, California. While planning for the change, the ASCRS Executive Committee wrestled with the question: Is it too early to return to a live meeting format? ASCRS President Terry Kim, MD, thought the safety measures being put in place helped drive the enthusiasm and excitement to return to an in-person event. "We will be working with Mandalay Bay Convention Center and hotel staff providing the safest meeting environment possible," he said. "The facility's hospital-grade air filtration system and the Mandalay Bay's Seven-Point Safety Plan, developed with medical professionals and put in place by the facility, will provide the latest in health and safety for guests and staff. "As we all continue to adapt to the evolving COVID-19 environment, I know many of us are experiencing fatigue in terms of our clinical practices and virtual conferences. That is why I am so excited about the announcement of our in-person annual meeting in Las Vegas. I could not think of a better destination where we can all get back to interacting with our friends and colleagues and experiencing the outstanding educational events of ASCRS." Returning to live meetings The move to Las Vegas allows ASCRS to have its first meeting in 800+ days in as safe a meeting venue as can be reasonably organized. Some of the safety-first features that aid in the effort to put on such an event include: • Onsite COVID testing capability and contact tracing • Fifth largest convention center in the U.S., allowing a social distancing-com- pliant setup • 30-foot convention center ceilings with high-grade HVAC system designed to provide as much outside air circulation as possible throughout the con- vention center and guest rooms with air filters that meet or exceed published standards • MGM/Mandalay Bay Seven-Point Safety Plan • SafeConnect initiative from Freeman, ASCRS' event management partner • Touchless check-in and meeting registration options • Multiple hand sanitizing stations • Frequent cleaning of hard surface, high-touch areas • Masks mandate Unmatched anterior segment education As we return to live meetings, ASCRS brings together the top thought leaders and researchers in all areas of anterior segment surgery and treatments. This year's meeting introduces a newly established named lecture series and count- less educational opportunities. Most importantly, we bring back the opportunity to connect with colleagues face to face. Highlights of the meeting will include: • Inaugural Lindstrom Lecture acknowledging the 40+ years of immeasurable contributions to ASCRS by Richard Lindstrom, MD

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