THE EIGHTH IMSA
NATIONAL CONVENTION
July 30 – August 2, 2010
San Francisco, California
2010 IMSA Convention: At a Glance
When the board of directors started planning for the convention we wanted it to be the most successful and enjoyable convention ever. By all measures those objectives were met, how do we know?
- Highest number for attendees at any convention ever.
- Great feedback from our members and their families about the comprehensive success in all aspects including scientific program, social, cultural, entertainment, and humanitarian component; Great friendships and fellowship among our members and their families with the background of San Francisco sights and sounds was amazing!
- Highest number of attendees from overseas, many other countries of the world including medical professionals from our home country IRAQ were able to attend.
- There were no significant complaints, errors or snafus all weekend!(Sounds unbelievable!)
- Even though we had a very busy program all events were on schedule and were well attended.
- First youth convention program ever, was a huge success, so much so that the younger members of our families 12-30’s developed great connections and beginnings of what we hope to be lifelong friendships based on commonalities and similarities between them.
- Our main hotel for the convention, the elegant Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco lived up very much to the five-star reputation it has with all the details. For the first time ever our guaranteed room block was sold out three months before our convention, and we had a secondary hotel, The Stanford Court Hotel which was also outstanding and sold-out. First time ever.
Synopsis of the Convention:
Friday July 30, 2010:
- Registration Went smoothly followed by the welcoming reception. This occurred in a beautiful courtyard environment with a tent to protect from the chilly San Francisco evening air. Following the president’s welcome speech and introductions, there was a brief “Welcome to San Francisco pictorial presentation, with Tony Bennett’s I left my heart in San Francisco song in the background”. The remaining part of the reception was friendship, nice hors d’oeuvres, and lots of pictures.
- For the first time ever we had a YOUTH RECEPTION, which exceeded all expectations for fun time, new friendships, and lifelong future contacts among the younger members of our family, people were already asking about the next convention so those friendships will blossom in the future.
- Many individuals following the reception went out to explore the beautiful Sites and Tastes of the city by the Bay.
Saturday, July 31, 2010:
- CME Program started following a continental breakfast, 14 speakers, 5 units of CME credit, on outstanding “Latest Advances in Medical Specialties”.
- Throughout the day there were poster presentations, exhibits of cultural, artistic, and professional services available to the pleasure of all.
- Saturday lunch: Was a jam-packed program that included, Founding President’s speech, awards and recognition for the CME presenters, lifetime achievement awards (for the pioneers in our profession that were in attendance as well as seven post-humous awards were given to family members). Adnan Shakir, MD Memorial lecture about physicians from Iraq who ended up refugees in Jordan an informative presentation; this was followed by updates and liaison reports: “IMSA INTERNET UNIVERSITY”, presentation about a new project we are working on, report on the Humanitarian mission to Syria and Jordan in 2009, brief reports/updates on Iraqi International Medical Association(IIMA online), Intercollegiate Iraqi Liaison Group (IILG)update from U.K, National Arab American Medical Association(NAAMA) update, and Iraqi Cultural Center update of activities.
- Group Photo at 6 pm
- Saturday night GALA:
- Following an acquired ritual group singing of Mawtani, a nice seated dinner, fabulous entertainment by Rafid Sawa and sons from Detroit, 4.5-hour Iraqi songs and music marathon was extremely well received, in addition to some talented members who volunteered ad hoc great entertainment talents!
Sunday, August 1, 2010:
- General Assembly meeting followed a continental breakfast.
- Sumptuous Family Brunch was highly rated accentuated be Ad Hoc Fundraising activity.
- Sunset San Francisco Bay Dinner Cruise aboard the San Francisco Spirit was a well attended big hit, including dinner, music and a quick but productive fund-raiser for Iraqi orphans.
- Departures Monday, August 2, 2010,with lots of fun and good memories.