Earn CMEs, Network and Learn About the Top Products at 2019’s Top Otolaryngology Conferences

This blog was originally published on July 8, 2019 and updated on February 13, 2020.

If you’re looking to complete your otolaryngology CME credits, gain valuable clinical knowledge, and build connections in the industry, there’s no better place to do so than at an ENT conference. Plus, conferences give you the chance to explore the latest updates in ENT technology by visiting exhibit halls and speaking with vendors firsthand.

To help you make the most of ENT conferences in 2020, we’ve put together this guide covering your main options and what each has to offer.

How Can You Decide Which Otorhinolaryngology Conferences to Attend?

When trying to choose between all the conference options available, it can feel a bit overwhelming if you’re not sure exactly what you’re looking for. So before we go through our list of otorhinolaryngology conferences, here are a few questions you can ask to help you decide which ones are right for you:

• What type of knowledge are you looking to gain from attending an otorhinolaryngology conference?
• Does the conference address your subspecialty and topics of interest?
• Do you prefer a larger group or a more intimate environment?
• What types of professionals is the conference geared towards—mainly providers, or clinical and administrative staff as well?
• Which members of your practice would benefit most from going?
• Do the session formats fit your preferred learning style?
• Which speakers and exhibitors will be there?
• If any of the equipment, software or services your practice uses aren’t meeting your needs, will the conference provide opportunities to see the other options on the market?
• What types of connections are you looking to build in the industry?
• How much value does the conference provide compared to the cost of attending?
• How far will you have to travel to get there?
• Is there anything else you’d like to see in the area if you have extra time during or after the conference?

What Are the Top 10 ENT Conferences of 2020?

Here are our top picks, arranged from largest to smallest. Some of these are already over for 2020, but you can look into them for next year.

Several conferences have yet to announce session schedules and topics for 2020. Those interested in attending can refer to the individual conference homepages for details as the conference dates approach.

2020 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Experience

When: September 13-16, 2020

Where: Boston, MA

Attendees: 5,000

Exhibitors: 250+

CMEs: Yes

Subspecialties:

• Endocrine surgery
• Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery
• General otolaryngology
• Head and neck surgery
• Laryngology/broncho-esophagology
• Otology/neurotology
• Pediatric otolaryngology
• Rhinology/allergy
• Sleep medicine

Details for the 2020 conference are still to be determined, but for the 2019 conference, some session topics included:

• Patient safety and quality improvement
• Current issues in diagnosis and treatment of ENT disorders
• Research updates on procedures, drugs and medical devices
• Practice management techniques that help improve physician performance
• Gaining a broader practical understanding of global approaches used in ENT
• Endoscopic ear surgery and eustachian tube balloon dilation
• Worst case scenarios: managing OTO emergencies in practice

As the largest and most well-known ENT conference in 2020, this event hosted by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery is open to not just academy members, but also non-member physicians, ENT health professionals and administrators. Attendees can choose from a wide variety of educational formats, including panel presentations, masters of surgery video presentations, expert series, international symposium, scientific oral presentations, simulation events and numerous scientific posters. This ENT congress also offers ample opportunities to network with peers and visit with exhibiting companies.

Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting (COSM) 2020

When: April 22-26, 2020

Where: Atlanta, GA

Attendees: 1,700

Exhibitors: 550

CMEs: Yes

Subspecialties:

• Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery
• Broncho-esophagology
• Head and neck surgery
• Laryngology
• Neurotology
• Otology
• Pediatric otolaryngology
• Rhinology

Courses for 2020 have yet to be released, but some 2019 course topics included:

• Larynx Cancer Debate: Incorporating Best Evidence
• The Best Time to Surgically Intervene for Idiopathic Facial Paralysis (Bell’s Palsy) and the Management of Acute Facial Paralysis
• Skull Base Cancer Debate: Should I Operate?
• Vestibular Schwannoma – In Vivo and In Vitro
• Optimizing the Essential Role of Otolaryngology in the Cleft and Craniofacial Team
• Standardizing Quality and Outcomes in Post-Tonsillectomy Pain Management: Report from the ASPO Quality & Safety Committee
• Subsequent Tracheostomy after Tracheoesophageal Fistula Repair: Intraoperative Considerations

Bringing together eight different otolaryngology societies, the COSM provides educational sessions from prominent speakers covering cutting-edge clinical and scientific research. Since it incorporates so many subspecialty societies, this otolaryngology conference is heavily centered around subspecialties and provides premier opportunities to gain subspecialty knowledge and skills.

Rhinoworld Chicago – American Rhinologic Society

When: April 23-24, 2020

Where: Atlanta, GA

Attendees: 1200-1400

Exhibit hall size: 16,000 square feet

CMEs: Yes

Subspecialties:

• Rhinology

While the 2020 schedule is still TBD, some 2019 conference topics included:

• Evidence-based recommendations for managing rhinosinusitis
• Managing and surveilling neoplastic disease involving the nose and paranasal sinuses
• Understanding and managing allergic and immunologic disorders
• Strategies for managing functional and cosmetic disorders of the nose
• The latest developments in skull base surgery
• The emerging role of biologic therapies
• New office-based methods to treat chronic rhinorrhea and nasal valve collapse

This ENT congress aims to be the premier scientific rhinology meeting in the world, in both the basic science and the clinical realms. It features a mixture of expert panels, symposia, oral abstracts and poster sessions, as well as networking opportunities culminating in a black tie gala at the Field Museum.

American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Annual Meeting (AAFPRS)

When: September 10-12, 2020

Where: Boston, MA

Attendees: 1,000

Exhibitors: 100

CMEs: Yes

Subspecialties:

• Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery

Stay tuned to the website for the 2020 ENT topics. Some conference topics in 2019 included:

• The latest techniques and technologies in facial plastic surgery, including laser resurfacing, neck and face lifting, rhinoplasty, fillers, and more
• Marketing and practice management advice, from starting a new practice to running a more efficient established practice

This otolaryngology conference incorporates speakers from many specialties related to facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, including plastic surgery, ophthalmology, otolaryngology and dermatology. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about innovative surgical and nonsurgical techniques, network with peers, collaborate, share best practices, and explore new, innovative products and services in the exhibit hall.

AOCOO-HNS 2020 Annual Clinical Assembly

When: April 30 – May 2, 2020

Where: San Diego, CA

Attendees: 500

Exhibitors: 24

CMEs: Yes

Subspecialties:

• Endocrine surgery
• Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery
• General otolaryngology
• Head and neck surgery
• Laryngology/broncho-esophagology
• Otology/neurotology
• Pediatric otolaryngology
• Rhinology/allergy
• Sleep medicine

Session topics in 2019 included:

• Physician Burnout – Keep the Fire Lit!
• Opioid Prescription Patterns
• Pediatric Hearing Loss
• Can Endoscopic Ear Surgery Add Value to Your Practice?
• Getting it Right the First Time: Primary Sinus Surgery
• Technical Considerations for a Tailored Facelift
• Prevention and Management of Complications of Thyroid Surgery

Combining otolaryngology and ophthalmology, the 2019 Annual Clinical Assembly featured a research paper competition in addition to educational sessions, networking opportunities and an exhibit hall.

AAOA Annual Meeting 2019 – American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy

When: October 23-25, 2020

Where: Scottsdale, AZ

Attendees: 300

CMEs: Yes

Subspecialties:

• Allergy/immunology
• Rhinology
• Sleep medicine

Courses for 2020 are TBA. Some 2019 session topics included:

• Immunotherapy (SCIT and SLIT)
• Diagnosis and management of allergy
• Practical rhinology
• Basic principles of allergy
• Instructional on topics such as GI disorders, immunology, stinging insects, allergy emergencies and anaphylaxis, sleep disorders, and setting up an allergy practice
• Current research highlighting advances in clinical and basic science
• Solving day-to-day issues and challenges in the business of medicine

If you’re looking to learn more about allergy patient care, immunology and inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract, you should definitely look into attending this ENT annual meeting. It offers general sessions, ENT workshops, instruction courses, topical discussions and panels. Attendees will also have opportunities to explore ENT software, products and services and ask faculty members face-to-face questions.

Ascent (Administrator Support Community for ENT), Formerly AOA

When: October 14-16, 2020

Where: Portland, OR

Attendees: 300+

CMEs: No

Conference topics include:

• Academic
• Coding
• Financial management
• Human resources
• Marketing
• Technology
• Personal and professional development
• Practice management
• Healthcare today

Formerly known as the Association of Otolaryngology Administrators (AOA), ASCENT aims to help managers, administrators and other ENT professionals sustain and improve their ENT practices. Open to non-members, the ENT annual meeting includes networking and exhibit time in addition to educational sessions.

Florida Combined Otolaryngology Meeting (FSO-HNS, FSFPRS)

When: November 13-15, 2020

Where: Orlando, FL

Attendees: 200

Exhibitors: 25+

CMEs: No

Subspecialties:

• Head and neck surgery
• Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery

Hosted by the Florida Society of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery (FSO-HNS) and Florida Society of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (FSFPRS), this ENT congress will feature world-renowned otolaryngologists and plastic surgeons presenting on a variety of industry topics. The ENT annual meeting is open to physicians, fellows, residents, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, practice administrators and students.

Texas Association of Otolaryngology Annual Meeting

When: May 1-2, 2020

Where: Fort Worth, TX

Attendees: 125

CMEs: Yes

2019 conference topics included:

• The unique nature of work-life balance for each individual
• Risk factors that lead to imbalance and potential ethical violations
• Current concepts for treatment of chronic sinusitis and reconstruction of oral cavity defects
• Current concepts in the care of professional voice users
• Update on recent advances in pediatric otolaryngology
• Evaluation and treatment of vestibular migraine and hyperparathyroidism
• Immunologic workup for chronic sinusitis patients
• Knowledge and experiences in the field of otolaryngology

Held in conjunction with the Texas Medical Association’s annual TexMed conference, this meeting of the Texas Association of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery offers otolaryngology CME programs on a variety of clinical, scientific and other medical topics, as well as networking opportunities.

Karen Zupko 2019 ENT Coding and Revenue Cycle Workshops

When and Where: January 31 – February 1, 2020 in Las Vegas, NV | February 14-15, 2020 in Orlando, FL | March 20-21, 2020 in Dallas, TX | May 8-9, 2020 in Chicago, IL | August 7-8, 2020 in Nashville, TN | November 13-14, 2020 in Chicago, IL

Attendees: 120 per workshop

CMEs: Yes

Workshop topics include:

• Ignite Your E/M Coding
• Rockstar Revenue Cycle
• CPT Power Coding

Hosted by healthcare consulting and education firm KarenZupko & Associates, these interactive ENT workshops for physicians, staff and administrators focus on the financial and billing aspects of otolaryngology practice.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know what the major ENT conferences in 2020 are and what each offers, you can reflect upon how each might fit your unique needs and choose accordingly. With any luck, your chosen conferences will allow you to not only fulfill your otolaryngology CME requirements, but also put your new knowledge into practice to help improve patient care and practice operations.