Orthopaedic Surgeons Join Forces with KaBoom! at Annual Meeting to Build Playground in Las Vegas
March 24, 2015
Last year, children from the Palabra Viva church in Las Vegas drew pictures of their dream playground, and this week, hundreds of orthopaedic surgeons and other volunteers attending the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ (AAOS) 2015 Annual Meeting joined forces with KaBOOM! and members of the community to bring those designs to life.
Since 2000, the Academy has sponsored a one-day Safe and Accessible Playground Build as a gift to the AAOS Annual Meeting host community. This will be the Academy’s 16th playground build and the second in the Las Vegas area.
“The Safe and Accessible Playground Build is a great way for the Academy to show appreciation to the people of Las Vegas, and contribute to the overall health and well-being of the community,” said David D. Teuscher, MD, incoming president of AAOS.
He added, “‘In line with the AAOS Vision of keeping the world in motion through prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions,’ the playground is one way for orthopaedists to encourage all children to safely remain physically active with healthy lifestyles to build strong bones, reducing risk of future bone and joint injuries.”
The playground will cover 2,600 square feet and be built with components for children ages 2 through 12 of different abilities, including two slides, swings, a climber, a series of interactive panels, a “cozy cocoon” designed for children with autism spectrum disorders, and accessible wheelchair ramps.
“With this playground, we are providing kids the opportunity to grow up healthy, which will in turn create healthy families and finally, a healthy community,” said Sunny Chavarria, a special events coordinator with Palabra Viva.
Each year, more than 200,000 children in the United States sustain a playground injury requiring medical attention.
Orthopaedic surgeons treat bone and joint injuries, know first-hand the impact of playground-related accidents, and would rather help prevent injuries than treat them.
Academy officials say they are dedicated to creating Safe and Accessible Playgrounds where children—with and without disabilities—can play together safely.
This playground will provide children opportunities to play, improve balance, flexibility and strength, and build strong bones for life.
AAOS 2015 takes place March 24-28 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
Add new comment