2018 ASHA CONVENTION PROGRAM BOOK • 7 WELCOME FROM THE ASHA PRESIDENT Welcome From the ASHA President Welcome to the 2018 ASHA Convention! On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am really excited that you are joining us in Boston for “Revolutionary Learning, Evolutionary Practice!” Isn’t it amazing that, even after many years in the profession and many, many memorable trips to Convention, we still look upon this experience as one of the main highlights of our year, both personally and professionally? Well, it’s like that for me, and I hope it is for you, too. It is such a wonderful opportunity to visit with professional colleagues and friends; learn about new ideas and trends; polish skills and techniques; be inspired by the contributions of award recipients; meet new people who become part of your ongoing network; and experience the fun of finding out about an iconic and wonderful city like Boston, with so much to offer. And, even better, we’re expecting record-breaking attendance! Sharon Sandridge and Melissa Jakubowitz, the Audiology and Speech- Language Pathology Convention Program Co-Chairs (respectively)—along with the amazing Convention Program Committee—have been working hard alongside ASHA staff and their committees to make sure you have a wonderful Convention experience. Their goal has been to develop an experience that will help you shake up the status quo where need be, and to lead positive and productive change—and what better place to learn to do that than here in Boston? The Convention activities that are planned will help you personally focus on areas that will meet your needs and will help you to thrive, not just survive! Revolutionary learning is not the end in and of itself. What you will learn will be directly applicable and transferable to your practice, whatever the work setting, and will foster collaborations and interactions with professionals around the country and around the world, to bring stimulating new ideas and approaches to the professions. ASHA is committed to helping you be the best audiologist or speech-language pathologist you can be, which is why we’re also featuring the Empowerment Zone again this year, to enable you to pursue your personal passions. I encourage you to visit the Empowerment Zone to bolster your confidence in advocating for yourself, your clients, and your profession. Stop and tell us some of your stories—in particular, inspiring examples of how audiology and speech-language pathology make a difference! I also hope to see you at the Awards Ceremony on Friday evening—what better place to celebrate the best of our Association. Finally, just as our Founding Fathers did, I hope you will push yourself a bit, take a step outside your comfort zone, and brace yourself for a revolutionary Convention experience! Elise Davis-McFarland, PhD, CCC-SLP ASHA PRESIDENT Revolutionary learning is not the end in and of itself. What you will learn will be directly applicable and transferable to your practice.