MESSAGE FROM THE SMRT 24TH ANNUAL MEETING
PROGRAM & EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Great location, hot topics, international speakers, good friends...
...and two iPad Minis to be won!
Welcome to the 24th Annual Meeting of the SMRT!

Welcome to fabulous Toronto, the cultural hub of Canada, for the 24th Annual Meeting of the Section for Magnetic Resonance Technologists (SMRT). The Metro Toronto Convention Centre has been the host of several successful SMRT meetings in the past, and we expect this year to be no exception. On behalf of the Program and Education Committees, we warmly invite you to settle in and enjoy our aptly titled 'At the Forefront of MR Education' Annual Meeting, which has been designed to provide you with an unparalleled educational opportunity and experience.

Over the next two days you will have access to 30 internationally recognised MR leaders and educators that will be presenting on a diverse range of clinically relevant and cutting-edge topics in the fields of MR Physics, Cardiac MR, Oncology/Whole Body MR, Musculoskeletal MR, Clinical and Advanced Neuro-Imaging, Pediatric Imaging, Emerging MR Technologies, MR Safety and MR Management. You will also be hearing from a selection of your peers during the Proffered Paper Sessions, with 7 innovative and enthusiastic MR Technologists/Radiographers chosen on merit to present their award winning work.

In recognition of the different interests and educational requirements of our members and attendees, we have introduced parallel educational sessions for the first time this year. These concurrent sessions will run on both Saturday and Sunday, giving you more opportunities to select topics that are of interest to you. Please check the program for specific details and times.

To receive Continuing Education (CE) credits remember to scan your attendee name badge at the scanning iPad counter upon entering and exiting each lecture theatre.

As always a large range of clinical and research posters will be on display throughout the weekend in the vendor display area. Please take the time to explore the posters for new ideas and insights. While in the area also check out the vendor displays to learn about some of the exciting new technologies coming our way.

We know this is a busy weekend, but we encourage all meeting attendees to be present for the SMRT business meeting on Saturday when SMRT Policy Board Members will report on current and future activities of the Society. The meeting is open to all SMRT members, and your presence is welcome.

On Saturday afternoon, following the Educational Sessions, we will move to the vendor display area for the Traditional Poster Reception and Tour. Come along, have a drink, and listen to the authors of the winning posters present their work. Those that wish to can take the opportunity during the Poster Tour to find the answers of the 'Poster Seek and Find Quiz', and get a head start on winning an iPad Mini. (Don't forget to listen out for the poster quiz 'buzzword' during the tour - you will need this to be in the running to win.)

Attendees interested in the social side of things can look forward to a fantastic function on Saturday evening when the SMRT takes over the historic 'Imperial Room' at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel for a catered evening of fun and a chance to unwind and network with your peers. Your registration includes entry so come along after the Poster Tour.....it's only a 5 minute walk from the Toronto Metro Convention Centre!

Sunday afternoon will see the presentation of the President's Award, the Proffered Paper and Poster Awards . The winner of the 'Poster Seek and Find Quiz' will also be announced during the Awards Ceremony, so make sure that you are there for your chance to win.

Our meeting will conclude on Sunday afternoon following the much anticipated MR Safety Forum, which features a presentation on the hot topic of retained Gadolinium. As a registered meeting attendee your name has been automatically entered into the drawing to win an attendance spot prize (a second iPad mini). The winner will be drawn during the MR Safety Forum, and must be present to win.

On Monday afternoon, the ISMRM and SMRT will be hosting a Joint Forum on 'Whole body DWI' that is included in your registration. Additional midweek sessions have also been accredited by the SMRT for CE/CPD credits during the week of the ISMRM meeting.

Online evaluation forms will be available on the SMRT website for you to complete following the close of the meeting. Your feedback and ideas are extremely important in shaping future SMRT meetings so please take a moment to complete an evaluation form for each session that you attend. CE/CPD credits will be automatically assigned to you once your evaluations are received.

Finally, we would like to thank you for attending our meeting. Whether this is your first SMRT meeting or you are a regular attendee, we hope that our 24th Annual Meeting provides you with an exceptional MR learning experience and the opportunity to meet new friends.

Enjoy your stay in Toronto!

Chris Kokkinos Program Chair 2014-2015

Sheryl Foster Education Chair 2014-2015