AORN Expo Kickoff Marks 70 Years of Excellence

Thousands of perioperative nurses converge on San Antonio to celebrate beloved conference.

The opening ceremony of the 2023 AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo, the 70th in the organization’s history, was an electric event — from the moment the moment AORN’s Board of Directors danced their way into the packed hall to the sounds of Mariachi music until keynote speaker Clint Pulver finished his riveting keynote presentation to the thunderous applause of a standing ovation.

AORN President Vangie Dennis, MSN, RN, CNOR, CMLSO, took to the podium to officially open Expo and highlighted the theme of the conference — No Limits. She thanked attendees for their participation, shouted out all active and veteran service members in attendance in a place known as “Military City U.S.A.”  and recognized the many, many accomplishments of AORN attendees throughout the country.

Another highlight of the opening ceremony was the presentation of a Lifetime DAISY Award to AORN CEO/Executive Director Linda Groah, MSN, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, FAAN, who was clearly surprised by the honor. Accepting the award, Ms. Groah acknowledged the entire AORN membership and said, “without you, perioperative nursing would not be where it is.”

The conference’s opening day ended with keynote speaker Clint Pulver, motivational keynote speaker, author, musician (drumming seen on America’s Got Talent), and workforce expert, delivering a high-energy, interactively keynote address on the power of small moments and their huge impact on those around them. Mixing traditional motivational speaking with impromptu drum breaks, Mr. Pulver highlighted just how much perioperative nurses love Def Leppard. The address ended with drumsticks being distributed to thousands in attendance and Mr. Pulver leading attendees in AORN Expo’s first drum line. OSM