ASE 2014: A Not-To-Be Missed Meeting in a Must-See Location!

Abstract

Todd Belcik; Marti McCulloch MBA, BS, RDCS, FASE and Brad Roberts BS, RCS, RDCS, FASE all served as faculty at Echo Hawaii in January. As I sit here at the 24 annual Echo Hawaii course (with record attendance in a truly tropical setting), I am thinking of the upcoming ASE 25 Annual Scientific Sessions being held in Portland, OR. Sitting through these wonderful educational presentations while the sun is shining, the wind is blowing, and the waves are crashing just outside the conference ballroom, you may be wondering how Echo Hawaii and the Scientific Sessions are related. Well, the networking events held during Echo Hawaii are filled with Hawaiian food AND a classic tropical drink, the Mai Tai. Interestingly, the Mai Tai was created in Portland, OR in 1944 at Trader Vics’ and has become the mainstay cocktail of the Hawaiian Islands. I am excited to have Portland as the host of the 25 Annual Scientific Sessions. Portland is known by several different nicknames: Rose City, Stumptown, or simply PDX. It is recognized as the ‘‘Greenest City in America’’ with its focus onmass transportation, recycling, and conservation. Over 12,000 cyclists (with peak of 15,000 daily during summer months) travel to and fromwork across theWillamette River each day regardless of the weather. Other interesting facts about Portland include: There are 55 microbreweries in Portland, more than any other city in the world The TV programs Grimm and Portlandia are filmed in Portland Voted ‘‘2 best ‘‘foodie’’ city in the USA in 2010 with 600+ food carts dominating the ‘‘foodie’’ scene throughout the city Recognized as ‘‘Best City for Happy Hour’’ by CNBC in 2010 One of the 10 best places to retire in 2012 by CBS Moneywatch Voted #5 in nation of places to live by Travel & Leisure in 2012 Home to the Trailblazers (NBA) and Timbers (MLS) professional teams Home toNike elite running teams (NikeOregon Project andOregon Track Club) and training to numerous Olympic athletes Home of the ‘‘Mother of All Relays’’—The 195 mile Hood to Coast Relay with 12,600 runners and 3,600 volunteers Only one of two cities to have a volcano within the city limits Has one of the largest parks (Forest Park) within city limits at 5,000 sq/ acres and the smallest park in the world (Mill End Park) at 2.5 ft/diameter The total rainfall is 37 inches a year, which is similar to most east coast cities. The rain is better known as ‘‘Portland Mist’’ or ‘‘Liquid Sunshine’’ The birthplace of WIKI One of two cities that allow dogs into the pubs We are proud to host the 25 Annual ASE Scientific Sessions Friday, June 19 through Tuesday, June 24, 2104. This is the Silver Anniversary of the sessions, and it is fitting to have a focus on the innovations in cardiovascular medicine over the last several decades. The meeting is a ‘‘cutting-edge educational program’’ designed to provide awealth of information to clinicians, scientists, and sonographers. We are proud to have an internationally diverse faculty with extensive expertise in echocardiography. There are 8 different tracks aimed at offering different areas of echocardiography as well as learning experiences. One of the main focuses of the meeting is the offering of cased-based learning presentations each morning. There will be sessions on quantification and imaging, from the basics to the most complex and challenging. Our goal is to provide a wide range of highly educational sessions at various levels and expertise that will challenge all attendees.