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Attendees were brimming with enthusiasm from beginning to end during IHS’s 54th Annual Convention and Exposition, held October 19-23, 2005, in Quebec City, Canada. Professionals from around the world gathered to attend this one-of-a-kind international event dedicated to the hearing health profession.
With nearly 1,000 participants, all the events were action-packed. As a bonus, IHS was pleased to welcome the Ordre of Acousticians of Quebec, who incorporated their annual meeting into ours.
IHS Executive Director Cindy Helms said, “The decision to go international was a giant step forward for both the convention and the Society in general. The Board of Governors demonstrated their commitment to international growth by having the vision and the courage to take the convention out of the U.S. for the first time, and that decision reaped tremendous rewards. The enthusiastic response and congratulations are still pouring in from attendees and exhibitors alike. I’m optimistic that we can capitalize on the fantastic success of this year’s program and use it as the launch point for bigger and better shows from here on out. We’re already evaluating how to best capture the excitement we created in Quebec City so we can build on the momentum for next year in San Antonio.”
It would be a daunting task to describe everything that happened during the convention—there was just too much going on to try to include everything. So following are just a few of the high points.
The seminars, at their usual level of excellence, were filled to capacity. They were offered in two languages, English and French, and covered a broad range of the most important training for today’s dispenser. Overall, there was a total of 16.5 continuing education units available.
The energy was at an all-time high as hundreds of attendees flooded the exhibit hall following the ribbon-cutting ceremony. It was a spectacular showcase of technology and tools for dispensers to grow their businesses, maximize their profits and improve their healthcare services for the hearing impaired.
The annual membership meeting and luncheon was the forum for conducting the official business of the Society. It featured internal reporting, updates from allied organizations and an advocacy briefing. Many individuals and groups were recognized with honors and awards, as follows.
Salute to All-Stars
Special recognition was given to members who have reached milestones in their history with IHS. Congratulations to: 20-year members Edmund Carter, CCCA; Denson Dingler, BC-HIS, ACA; Margaret Lake, BC-HIS; Alan Lowell, BC-HIS, ACA; William Perrine, BC-HIS; William Schenk, BC-HIS; and D. Thomas Smith—25-year members Chris Gustafson, BC-HIS, ACA; David Leishman, BC-HIS; Ellis Thomas, III, BC-HIS—30-year member Jerry Smith—40-year members Edmund Duhaime, BC-HIS; Joseph Fishman, BC-HIS; Rocco Andreozzi, Jr.; and Patrick Smallwood, BC-HIS.
Tanaka Receives Empowerment Award
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| Harutsura Tanaka (right) receives the IHS Empowerment Award from President Cato. |
Letts Honored with Leadership Award
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| John Letts, BC-HIS (left) receives the Professional Leadership Award from Karl Storm. |
Venema Earns Education Award
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| Ted Venema, PhD (right), accepts the Joel S. Wernick Award from Jerry Laux. |
California is Chapter-of-the-Year
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| Chapter President Deane Manning, BC-HIS, along with other chapter members, accepts the Chapter-of-the-Year award from IHS President Cato. |
The grand finale festivities topped off an already spectacular week with delectable cuisine and dazzling performances. The crowning glory of the evening was the nine-act Cirque de Quebec, a Cirque de Soleil-style extravaganza with all the bells and whistles.
While our Quebec City memories are still fresh, it’s a good time to make sure we get next year’s convention on our calendars. You’ll have a rip roarin’ time at Sound Bonanza in San Antonio, Texas, October 18-22, 2006.
“This was my 28th IHS convention in a row and this one was definitely among the best! It was most refreshing to see so many new faces and to learn new perspectives about dispensing from all over the world.”
Max Chartrand, BC-HIS
“The best part of the convention was the awesome energy and excitement! The City of Quebec is beautiful and the whole experience was first-class. The time spent with ‘family’ and friends was a wonderful bonus.”
Kathy Harvey, BC-HIS, CCCA
“My favorite moment at the convention was the graduation ceremony for the Rosemont College students. It was truly inspirational to see that group of young people receive their diplomas. They are the future of our profession and industry—part of the next generation of hearing care practitioners. I must admit a bit of jealousy for the Canadian system of educating hearing instrument specialists but, as I said, that should be a moment of inspiration to all of us to promote and support the development of such an educational and training model in the U.S. and throughout the world.”
Patricia Connelly, PhD, CCCA
“The 2005 IHS convention was one of the most memorable I have ever attended. The continuing education offerings were exceptional.”
Michael Stone, BC-HIS
“Several manufacturers that I’ve known for a long time kept telling me the same thing—IHS is back! I took great pride in seeing IHS step out of their comfort zone and truly become the international association they have dreamed of becoming for many years. Attendees had an incredible experience at this year’s convention and exhibit hall. Manufacturers were busier than ever with their current and prospective customers.”
Scott Austin, BC-HIS
“This year’s closing night show was absolutely fantastic! I couldn’t take my eyes off the performers and was enchanted with their talent, art and magical beauty. It was breathtaking.”
Christine Feige, BC-HIS
