April 14-17, 2010
An IFSES Endorsed Event
Dear Colleagues:
Time is our most precious commodity! As surgeons, we are pressured on all sides to be more productive with fewer resources. Staying abreast of scientific and technical developments in our field is a constant challenge. The 12th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery, jointly hosted by SAGES and CAGS, will help you to effectively meet these challenges that you face in your practice of surgery every day. At the 12th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery, you will hear about the latest advances from the leading experts in the fields of general, gastrointestinal, endoscopic and minimally invasive surgery. Cutting edge emerging technologies such as single incision surgery, NOTES® and endolumenal therapies will also be addressed in an informative, fun, and engaging environment. You will learn about new strategies to enhance patient safety and gain practical tips and tricks to take back to your surgical practice while networking with like-minded colleagues in your field.
A central focus of 12th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery is “The World of Technique.” The program will highlight different surgical techniques and strategies from around the world. A world-class faculty will emphasize surgical technique using didactics, images, and video to address both established and novel therapeutic modalities from North America and beyond.
The 12th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery will be held at the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, Maryland just outside Washington, DC on, April 14 - 17, 2010.
At this meeting you will find:
The 12th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery, hosted by SAGES and CAGS, promises to be a meeting like no other. If you go to just one surgical meeting this year, this is the one!
We look forward to seeing you there in April.
Sincerely,
Daniel Herron, M.D., SAGES Program Co-Chair
Barry Salky, M.D., SAGES Program Chair
Christopher Schlachta, M.D., CAGS Program Chair
Held every two years, the World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery is an educational forum for all minimally invasive surgical societies around the world. The World Congress provides the opportunity for minimally invasive surgeons from every corner of the globe to meet, join in educational sessions, share social time and network.
The World Congress rotates bi-annually between the different continents, and is hosted by the member organization of the International Federation of Societies of Endoscopic Surgery (IFSES) relevant to the region. Member organizations include SAGES, CAGS, EAES, JSES, CSLES, IAGES, FELAC, ALACE, and ELSA.
The answer is YES, it’s both! You can expect the same superb educational offerings you’ve come to associate with every SAGES meeting. To address the diverse educational needs of the attendees, the program will contain more concurrent sessions, increased international participation, and an IFSES panel.
Yes! CAGS (Canadian Association of General Surgeons) is fully involved in the development of the program, and the World Congress will include lectures and sessions specifically geared toward the Canadian general surgeon. CAGS will still host its annual Canadian Surgery Forum in the fall of 2010.
The World Congress replaces Surgical Spring Week in 2010. In 2011, Surgical Spring Week returns with the SAGES annual meeting.
Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center
201 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, M.D. 20745
Map of the National Harbor Area
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
11300 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 600
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Phone: 310-437-0544
Fax: 310-437-0585
Email: sagesweb@sages.org
Website: www.sages.org
Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS)
774 Echo Drive
Ottawa, ON K18 5NB
Phone: 613-730-6280
Fax: 613-730-1116
Email: cags@rcpsc.edu
Website: www.cags-accg.ca
11300 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 600
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Phone: 310-437-0544, ext. 128
Fax: 310-437-0585
Email: registration@sages.org
Please register prior to the early registration deadline of March 12, 2010 online.
The World Congress has elements that have been specifically designed to meet the needs of practicing surgeons, surgeons-in-training, GI assistants, nurses and other allied health professionals who are interested in minimally invasive surgery and gastrointestinal endoscopy. Thorough coverage of traditional topics and presentations of “cutting edge” material can be found in this program. The World Congress Program Committee recommends that participants design their own attendance schedule based on their own personal educational objectives.
SAGES (The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons) was founded in 1981 to foster, promote, support and encourage academic, clinical and research achievement in gastrointestinal endoscopic surgery. SAGES currently boasts more than 6,000 general surgeon members from countries all around the world. The SAGES annual meeting is oriented toward minimally invasive surgery and in 2009 had an attendance of more than 2,100 surgeons.
With over 2000 members, The Canadian Association of General Surgeons is the largest surgical association in Canada and the only national organization representing the interests of General Surgeons. CAGS promotes the training, education, continuing professional development, thoughtful practice and research that are essential to the specialty of general surgery. CAGS hosts the Canadian Surgery Forum annually, which is the largest surgical conference in Canada.
Attendees include general surgeons, minimally invasive surgeons, bariatric surgeons, endoscopic surgeons, colon/rectal surgeons, oncological surgeons, pediatric surgeons and allied health professionals.
Daniel M. Herron, M.D. (SAGES Co-Chair)
Barry A. Salky, M.D. (SAGES Chair)
Christopher M. Schlachta, M.D. (CAGS Chair)
Gerald M. Fried, M.D. (CAGS)
David W. Rattner, M.D. (SAGES)
SAGES President: C. Daniel Smith, M.D.
CAGS President: Chris Jamieson, M.D.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, April 14, 2010: 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday, April 15, 2010: 6:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday, April 16, 2010: 6:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday, April 17, 2010: 6:30 AM - 2:00 PM
For those participants only interested in attending the technical exhibits, we will offer a special Exhibits Only Pass. This option will only be available on-site. You may register for an Exhibits Only Pass beginning the morning of Wednesday, April 14, 2010.
For additional information, please contact the Registrar.
For more than 50 years, the United States of America has required visas to be issued to those wishing to study, visit, or conduct business in the U.S. While changes have been made recently to U.S. visa law, many procedures remain the same. Most importantly, you must APPLY EARLY for a visa, as processing time has increased in some instances. For information about obtaining a visa, please visit the following website: travel.state.gov/visa/
If you need a written invitation to assist you with your visa, please email the World Congress Registrar with your name and complete mailing address for each request.
World Congress Opening Reception 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Hall Open 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Hall Open 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Hall Open 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Free Lunch for All Attendees 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
World Congress exhibits will take place at the Gaylord Convention Center in Prince George’s Exhibit Hall A-C.
The Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center and surrounding hotels are 15 minutes due south of Washington, DC, just off the Capital Beltway (I-95/I-495).
For more information on directions and transportation, Including water taxis & airport shuttles, please visit http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-national/directions-transportation/index.html
**Make sure to stay Saturday Night! Unlike a usual SAGES meeting, the annual Gala and International Sing-Off will be held on Saturday evening, not Friday. Plan now to stay the extra night. Don’t miss the official end of the Congress! Details.
SAGES & CAGS thank IFSES, the IFSES member societies (ALACE, CSLES, EAES, ELSA, FELAC, IAGES, JSES) and corporate partners for the opportunity to host the World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery.
IFSES President: Prof. Alberto Chousleb, MD
IFSES Secretary General/Treasurer: Prof. Tatsuo Yamakawa, MD
Visit the IFSES website for future IFSES activities and World Congress meetings: http://www.ifses.org/