Dear Colleagues:

In less than one month, thousands of your peers will gather in New Orleans for the 2010 Annual Meeting. Will you be joining us?

If you've been waiting until the last minute to make plans—that "minute" is now. The discounted registration rate has been extended until February 10. Click here for a link to registration and here for a list of cities with direct flights to New Orleans.

Please join me in thanking Annual Meeting Program Committee Chair Stokes Peebles, MD, FAAAAI, Vice Chair James Gern, MD, FAAAAI, and the hundreds of volunteers responsible for programming this premier event.

There is something for everyone at the Annual Meeting, as the science and educational programs offer cutting–edge information in a variety of formats. I personally enjoy the Pro-Con Debates, Plenary Sessions and scientific interchange that takes place throughout our meeting.

In response to member feedback, a new type of keynote session is set to debut in New Orleans. The Cutting-Edge Research Keynote Session examines new frontiers in allergic disease. It takes place on Monday, March 1. The session will be moderated by Mariana C. Castells, MD, PhD, FAAAAI, and features presentations from Paul S. Foster, PhD, and A. Wesley Burks, MD, FAAAAI.

Burks will discuss the natural history of hypersensitivity to foods and treatment modalities for food allergy, while Foster will speak about his recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences titled, "Antagonism of microRNA-126 suppresses the effector function of TH2 cells and the development of allergic airways disease."

If you haven't been to New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina, there are more hotels near the Convention Center, which makes it quite convenient for attendees. Restaurants throughout the French Quarter are superb. There is a city tour of New Orleans that explains the ravages of Katrina and how the city has rebuilt and changed. I took a driving trip throughout the city last year and was moved by what has happened. It was also inspiring to witness the improvements that have taken place.

Click here to read more of the President's Message

Annual Meeting Deadline Extended! Register by February 10 for the Discount
Advance online registration for the 2010 Annual Meeting has been extended through Wednesday, February 10, so there is still time to take advantage of lower registration prices. After this date, registration rates increase. Thousands of your peers have already registered. Will you be joining them in New Orleans? Click here to register for the 2010 Annual Meeting, or visit the Annual Meeting Web site to view the Final Program. Looking for a direct flight to New Orleans? Check here.

Delegate Discounts and Opportunities
Visit the Member Resource Center...
Sign up for Enhanced Directory
Each year, nearly one million consumers use the AAAAI Physician Referral Directory, leading potential patients and referring physicians to your practice.

This valuable member benefit just got better.

During the 2010 Annual Meeting, we're rolling out an enhanced version of the Physician Referral Directory, providing members with an easy-to-use, economical mode of targeted advertising utilizing this top-tiered area of the AAAAI Web site.

The enhanced version of the directory allows members to personalize their listings with a photograph and commentary. The option of creating a descriptive page allows AAAAI members to grab the attention of the growing number of patients who search the Internet for health information.

When patients are searching online for an allergist, make sure they get the full picture of your practice. Upgrade to the enhanced version of the AAAAI Physician Referral Directory today.

Receive a special discount when you upgrade your listing during the Annual Meeting. It's a simple, inexpensive investment that promises great dividends.

Get your daily giveaway
There will be a different FREE item each day—from poster art to hand sanitizers. Quantities are limited, so visit early to secure your giveaways!

Get Annual Meeting discounts on brochures
The most popular Tips to Remember brochures are now available for you to customize with your practice information. Order onsite and receive an additional Annual Meeting discount.

Reserve the 2010 Virtual Annual Meeting
Order the Virtual Annual Meeting at discounted pricing. Along with the Data DVD, you will receive online access to claim CME/CE credits.

Purchase the Practice Management Workshop DVD
Take home the Data DVD to access what you missed at the sold-out 2009 Practice Management Workshop, or use it as a training tool for your office staff. Special member pricing is available.

Contribute to groundbreaking research
Learn more about Vaccines and Medications in Pregnancy Surveillance System (VAMPSS) and how you can participate.

Support the ART
Purchase tickets to the ART Big Bayou Benefit and pick up or purchase Friend of the President and NAIA ribbons. You may also be eligible for an ART donor ribbon based on your contributions.

The Big Bayou Benefit on Saturday, February 27 features a jazz band, magicians, tarot card readers, caricature artists, casino games and traditional New Orleans fare. Try your luck at blackjack, roulette, craps, Wheel of Fortune or slots. If you are really adventurous, take a seat in the Texas Hold'em tournament for an additional fee.

Visit the Member Resource Center. It's more than you think.

Have your Handouts Printed and Ready
The most up-to-date versions of the Annual Meeting handouts are now available to delegates online. Although Wi-Fi will be available in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, delegates should download and print handouts for sessions of interest before arriving in New Orleans. Delegates can also receive a complimentary copy of the Annual Meeting handouts on flash drive by visiting the Alcon Laboratories booth (#735) in the Exhibit and Resource Hall.

Abstracts accepted for presentation at the Annual Meeting are published in the February 2010 online supplement of the JACI. Beginning February 12, visit the Annual Meeting Web site for access to the supplement. The abstracts on flash drive will also be available at the Meda Pharmaceuticals booth (#617).

Need Help Organizing Your Annual Meeting Schedule?
Visit the online Itinerary Planner to review the 2010 Annual Meeting program, select the sessions and presentations you want to attend, and prepare a personalized agenda. Search sessions by topic, speaker or session type.

Pay Your 2010 Dues Before It's Too Late
Have you renewed your AAAAI membership? If not, do it today to continue receiving valuable benefits, including your subscription to The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI). To save time, paper and stamps, pay your 2010 dues online with our user-friendly and secure payment form. Click here where you'll be prompted to log in before beginning the process. Your AAAAI membership. It's more than you think.

LAST CHANCE: Claim your CME/CE Credits from the 2009 Annual Meeting
The credit claim system for the 2009 Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, is available online. Claim your credits and print your CME certificate for your participation before the March 2010 deadline. The feedback you give about your Annual Meeting experiences and your educational needs will be used for future meetings, so please take a moment to complete those portions of the site as well.

Elements of Allergy and Asthma: Scratching the Surface on Skin Allergies
About 27% of children who have food allergies also have eczema or skin allergies. Point your patients to the AAAAI's latest educational feature, which offers tips on how an allergist/immunologist can relieve the unpleasant symptoms of skin allergies.

Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases Information for Your Patients
A section on Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PIDD) is now available within the Patients & Consumers Center of the AAAAI Web site. Information includes an overview and then offers links to additional topics:

• Our Immune System: The Basics
• PIDD: B cell and Antibody Problems
• PIDD: T Cell Problems
• PIDD: Neutrophil Problems
• Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy
• Genetic Inheritance: The Basics

Building Bridges at New Medical Schools
One of my Presidential Initiatives is placing allergist/immunologists in new medical and osteopathic schools. It is heartening to find that a number of you already have "built bridges" with Deans of Education and Department Chairs. What a way to increase visibility of our sub-specialty during the formative years of medical students and residents!

I may be calling on you to consider volunteering in your location as the schools plan and open. By giving of ourselves, we can help our sub-specialty and patients with allergies, asthma and immunologic conditions. If you are interested in learning more, or if you are already involved, please contact me at president@aaaai.org.

Providing Access to Care
The debate over healthcare reform continues, but it is unclear whether meaningful changes will be forthcoming. The AAAAI has signed on to principles of the ABIM Foundation. These principles are a set of values rooted in medical professionalism and have at their core the objective to help build a more equitable, affordable and higher quality healthcare system with access to care. This document reaffirms the AAAAI's proactive Position Statement on Access to Care that was adopted in 2002. In addition, an increasing number of AAAAI members have been appointed to various governmental, nonprofit and other committees. With or without impending legislative changes, AAAAI representatives are advocating for patients with allergies, asthma and immunologic disorders.

Closing Thoughts
It is hard for me to believe that my term is coming to an end and that this is my last eNews message. It is a rare privilege and true honor to have served the AAAAI as President. I want to recognize all of you who contribute your time, energy, expertise, insight and financial support to better the AAAAI, our profession and our patients. I have great confidence that incoming President Mark Ballow, MD, FAAAAI, will serve you with distinction. Remember, you can reach us at president@aaaai.org with your thoughts and ideas.

Best regards,

Paul A. Greenberger, MD, FAAAAI
AAAAI President
president@aaaai.org