Tom Higgins
WASHINGTON, DC—The International Hearing Society is reaching out beyond its membership and inviting all hearing care professionals to take part in its 62nd Annual Convention & Expo, to take place September 12-14 in the nation’s capital.
The theme is “Uniting the Profession,” and IHS president Tom Higgins, ACA, BC-HIS, described the convention as “a homecoming for all of our friends in the hearing healthcare profession.” He said, “This is your time to unite with your fellow professionals, gain valuable knowledge, embrace best practices, and become a part of the global movement to strengthen and secure the hearing healthcare profession.”
IHS is urging hearing aid dispensers, audiologists, students, and apprentices to come and acquire the skills and knowledge needed to remain competitive and connected in a fast-changing industry.
DELIVERING A MESSAGE
Convention 2013 headquarters will be the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA. That’s right across the Potomac River from Washington, DC, which will make it easy for IHS members and supporters to deliver messages to Congress on their two top governmental initiatives: the Hearing Aid Tax Credit Assistance Act and the “Fit to Serve” campaign, which is aimed at enabling hearing aid specialists to provide hearing healthcare services to U.S. veterans as VA providers.
Members interested in joining this effort are invited to travel to Washington a day early so they can meet with their Congressional representatives and tell them about these two initiatives. Further information is available online.
AN ADVENTUROUS KEYNOTER
Jamie Clarks
The convention will have its official kickoff Thursday evening, September 12, with a keynote presentation, dinner, and a Vegas-style party. The keynoter will be Jamie Clarke, adventurer, mountain climber, author and storyteller. Clarke has climbed to the top of Mt. Everest (twice) and walked across the Arabian Desert, the first Westerner to do so in 50 years. His colorful and inspirational stories have made him one of the most popular speakers around.
The General Session will also feature a guest speaker, Kordell Norton, an author and consultant whose topic will be “Status Quo to Status Grow: The Four Marketing Secrets to Explosive Growth.” In his humorous, highly interactive presentation, Norton will offer his audience insights on how to grow their business.
Kordell Norton
Other special events will include the IHS Awards Gala, with dinner and dancing. At this annual party, IHS members, hearing healthcare leaders, and IHS chapters will be recognized for outstanding achievements.
A LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Convention attendees will have many opportunities to gain knowledge designed to help them in their practices. About 20 seminars will be offered, covering such topics as resolving patient complaints, tinnitus, hearing loops, pricing strategies, explaining hearing aid benefits to consumers, disruptive innovations in technology, ethics, and the Fit to Serve campaign, among many other subjects. The full list of seminars is available online.
There will also be much to learn at the Expo, where more than 50 companies and other organizations will be displaying their products and services for six hours.
REGISTRATION INFO
To register for the convention, go to the IHS web site. The deadline for early registration is August 29.
