WET YOUR WHISTLE After the day's sessions, enjoy complimentary wine and martinis in the exhibit hall.

What is it that sets OR Excellence apart? We think you'll agree that along with being extremely informative, it's also the friendliest conference you'll attend this year. And that's no coincidence.

We've been to enough conferences to know that many are so large and impersonal that it's easy to get lost and overwhelmed. So we make sure that doesn't happen at ORX. We strive to make our conference warm and intimate, fostering an environment in which attendees can get to know colleagues and develop valuable and lasting relationships. After all, the chance to connect with peers who've faced the same challenges you're facing is one of the most important benefits of attending a conference. At ORX, we make it easy and fun for even the shyest attendee to walk away with great memories, new friends and terrific ideas.

Equally valuable is the opportunity to chat with vendors in a pleasant, low-pressure atmosphere. And while learning about patient warming systems, orthopedic instruments, regional anesthesia and other OR solutions is important, it's also a little more fun over a glass of wine or an inventive martini. That's where our opening night wine tasting and closing night Martini Madness come in. After a packed day of learning opportunities, our exhibitors are more than happy to serve you a glass of wine or a different varietal or martini concoction while they explain about their products and services. It's a relaxing, comfortable way to get the information you need, and it's another chance to make valuable connections.

We know it works because you tell us so every year.

"This was my first OR Excellence conference and I really enjoyed all the speakers, the great food and the awesome drinks," says Raven Hulin, RN, from Lafayette General Surgical Hospital in Lafayette, La. "It was a great experience all around."

"We thought this conference was fantastic!" says Janna Roark, CASC, administrator of the Outpatient Surgery Center at the Villages of Bert Kouns in Shreveport, La. "This was our first ORX conference, but won't be our last. It had a really nice small setting where everything was easily accessible. We really enjoyed it. Thank you!"

"Great conference," agrees Carol Cappella, RN, MSN, CNOR, clinical director at the Delray Beach Surgical Center in Delray Beach, Fla. "There is something for everyone to learn or to take back with them. Give yourselves a round of applause. You are the only conference where you really connect with your participants."

Thank you, all. Connecting with participants is what it's all about. And we hope to make many more connections in San Antonio this year.