See you soon at APAO 2016 Taipei

Issue: March 2016

By downloading the Congress app from the app store, you will be able to access the latest information about the 31st APAO Congress. We have made it easy for everyone to download our Congress app — just scan the QR code on the final program book cover. You can leave that weighty volume in your hotel room once you have downloaded the app. It has everything you want from the final program book. Additionally, it shows real-time updates of the scientific program schedule and allows you to conduct a quick search by speaker. You will know where to find whom with the powerful speaker search. You can also connect to the APAO’s Facebook and Twitter pages via the Congress app. You can tweet and/or share photos and write posts on our Facebook page. What’s more, by logging in with your APAO ID, you will be able to add friends and send them messages. Feedback can also be submitted via the Congress app. Although the Congress app is handy, remember to look up so that you won’t miss the opportunity to make new friends.

APAO Achievement Awards

Achievement Award points have all been credited. Members can log in to their registration account to view their updated information. This year at the 31st APAO Congress, 61 outstanding individuals will be recognized with Achievement Awards for their contributions to the scientific program of the APAO annual congress. We thank our faculty members and program participants for assisting us in organizing a world-class program. Both awardees for this year and previous awardees will receive an Achievement Award ribbon along with their delegate packs.

Poster presentations

This year at the 31st APAO Congress, delegates can scan the QR code on a poster or an e-poster to activate an audio recording made by the presenters. This allows delegates to view the posters at their own pace without missing comments from the presenters, which are traditionally given at scheduled poster sessions. Conventional poster sessions will be conducted during the intersession breaks in the exhibition hall. Refreshments will be available.

Social program

A number of social events have been incorporated into the 31st APAO Congress in an effort to give you a taste of local arts and culture in a relaxing but exciting environment.

Welcome reception: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 23, Exhibition Hall, Taipei World Trade Center.

Accompanied by light snacks and drinks, here you will have the opportunity to meet and share ideas with friends and colleagues.

Opening ceremony: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday March 24, Plenary Hall, Taipei International Convention Center.

All delegates are welcome to attend the opening ceremony. Join us to witness the presentation of the APAO Named Awards, as well as be entertained by impressive performances displaying rich local traditions.

Gala dinner: 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday, March 25, Grand Hotel Taipei.

Sitting on the top floor of this former official hotel for foreign receptions, which was built by past First Lady May-Ling Soong, you can learn about the history of Taiwan while enjoying a fantastic panoramic view of Taipei City. You can also visit the hotel’s secret underground passages, which are two 180-meter air raid tunnels leading to nearby parks at Liberty Square in front of the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. It is a chance to make new friends and renew old friendships. A handful of tickets are available at US$100 per person.

Run for Nepal: 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., Saturday, March 26, Dadaocheng Park.

If you want to participate in something more energetic (maybe a wake-up run?) while contributing to the post-earthquake relief efforts in Nepal, you are welcome to join the 67 runners who have already signed up for the Run for Nepal charity run on the morning of March 26. Visit the onsite APAO Office located at Room 106, 1/F, Taipei International Convention Center, to sign up on site. We are pleased to share that we have raised more than US$12,000 for Nepal. A check presentation will be scheduled at the opening ceremony.