We are here to provide you with engagement and innovation opportunities to help you achieve your goals of targeting the orthopaedic surgeon and allied profession. We are happy to work with you to provide programs that meet your needs. If you would like to learn more about any program listed on these pages, or have specific needs that you would like to discuss with the AAOS, please contact us through the button at the bottom of this page.
Overview of the AAOS Orthopaedic Community
Meet the Commercial Solutions Team
Ben Harkinson, VP of Commercial Solutions
As VP of Commercial Solutions at the AAOS, I oversee the Academy’s Commercial Solutions efforts and serve as one of our key Corporate Engagement contacts. I joined the Academy in January of 2020 after having spent the previous 15 years in commercial publishing, most recently as Commercial Sales Director at Wolters Kluwer, the global leader in clinical orthopaedics publishing.
I’m a very proud father of three young daughters, and a food evangelist. When I’m not chasing them around the house or doing the majority of the cooking for our family, I look for time to spend with my wood-working power tools, which on occasion has landed me in the ER or the company of a hand surgeon. Clearly, I chose the right profession.
Jeff Hanwell, Senior Manager, Business Development
As a Senior Manager in the Business Development Department, I collaborate with workgroups across the Academy to develop new programs and opportunities that create additional value for our members. These new programs are developed to address the ever-changing needs of our physician members while creating innovative opportunities for engagement with industry. I have spent over a decade in the orthopaedics industry between roles in medical device sales and sales management in various parts of the United States. Working for both DePuy Synthes and Stryker Orthopaedics fostered not only my interest in orthopaedics, but the business behind it.
Travel is an interest of mine and I enjoy experiencing new places and cultures. I try to travel somewhere new each year.
Angela Buckley, MPA, Corporate Engagement Specialist
As a Corporate Engagement Specialist in the Business Development Department, I am responsible for establishing and maintaining industry relationships to support all grants and associated sponsorships throughout the Academy. I joined the Academy in 2012 and have a background in data analytics in both research and market research. I have been a part of Business Development since 2018 where I have been working with my team to bring new and exciting Academy offerings to the AAOS membership and orthopaedic industry.
I am a mother of two amazing boys that keep me constantly on my toes. I am an expert-level online shopper and have never met a Netflix series that I wasn’t able to binge.
Bhavin Chaudhari, Strategic Account Management Specialist
As a Strategic Account Management Specialist, I collaborate with leadership to implement business strategy to generate revenue from sponsorships and international educational initiatives, along with managing vendor relationships to ensure AAOS brand integrity is maintained. I am a recent graduate from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign majoring in Economics with a minor in Informatics. I first interned as a credit analyst at Wintrust Financial prior to accepting my internship with the AAOS as a Business Development intern.
I was born in Nairobi and spent most my childhood around Toronto before finally settling down in the Chicagoland area. I love playing sports. I used to spend a lot of time running both cross-country and track along with fitting in basketball in my free time. Currently, I am focusing on my golf skills where much help is needed.
Evette D. Thompson, Coordinator, Career and Practice Resources
As a Career and Practice Resources Coordinator, I am responsible for the coordination of the Academy’s Career Center and Annual Fellowship Listings, as well as providing support for all career programs and assisting with the development of practice management resources. For over 18 years, I have assisted medical professionals with their careers working in career centers from proprietary, community colleges, and an association. My career began as a Program and Case Manager for the HIV/AIDS population through Provident Hospital and Urban Life Line Family Center. Leveraging the knowledge acquired in my roles at the hospital, I wanted to assist underprivileged students looking to enter the medical field which led me to my role as the Director of the Career Center at a local Medical School; it was a pleasure seeing students become medical professionals through the coursework offered and the career center trainings provided. In 2016, I began enhancing the Academy’s career center offerings for our members.
I love to travel and believe that a true vacation is going somewhere outside of the state and/or home where one resides. If I am not traveling, I am spending time with family and friends. I am a proud godmother of 7; 4 boys and 3 girls ranging from 25 years old to 1 month old.
Jason Raymond, Sr. Coordinator, Exhibits & Sponsorships
As Sr. Coordinator, Exhibits & Sponsorships, I am responsible for the implementation and coordination of various activities related to the Annual
Meeting including exhibitor/industry registration, exhibit space assignment, and behind the scenes logistical work and collaboration with the Academy’s Live Events team and with some of the Academy’s official vendors to help ensure a smooth and successful Annual Meeting experience for our exhibitors. I am also responsible for promotion and sales of exhibit space at the Academy’s CME courses. I have been a part of the Academy’s Exhibits & Sponsorships team since 2007 and am newly Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE).
For a recent New Year’s Resolution, decided to go on an exploration to many of the Chicago area’s hottest pizza joints to find the best deep-dish pizza out there. This was one resolution that I succeeded at... and will need to repeat in the future!
Ken Schott, CEM, Exhibits & Sponsorship Manager
As the Exhibits & Sponsorship Manager, I am responsible for the management/execution of all exhibition and sponsorship sales, logistics, operations, and fulfillment for the Annual Meeting. In addition, I collaborate closely with the Live Events team, Commercial Solutions team, as well as external partners/vendors to deliver best-in-class exhibition and sponsorship experiences for our industry partners while maximizing the support for AAOS Annual Meetings. For over 10 years, I have worked in the association exhibition and received my CEM in 2019. The CEM designation is recognized throughout the exposition industry as the premier mark of professional distinction and achievement for exposition managers.
I am a huge neat freak. I can’t stand filth or anything being out of its place in my home. This drives my family and friends crazy because I will strongly suggest how they should act while visiting so that they keep my place clean.
Noel Sierra, Exhibits & Sponsorship Coordinator
As Exhibits & Sponsorship Coordinator, I provide support to the Exhibits & Sponsorship Manager and exhibit team staff. I coordinate and perform a wide variety of detailed tasks relative to promotional opportunities and other industry offerings for the Academy’s Annual Meeting and CME courses. For six years, I was a project manager at an exhibit house where I was responsible for the planning, coordination, procurement, and timely completion of exhibit booth projects. I also oversaw the setup of exhibit booth properties at various trade shows. In addition, I served as the sales and marketing manager for four years where I developed all aspects of the marketing strategy and supported our inside sales and client services.
For several years, I volunteered as an ESL instructor at a community center in Albany Park where I taught mostly Spanish-speaking adults how to speak English as a second language.
Nya Carney, Exhibits & Sponsorship Coordinator
As Exhibits & Sponsorship Coordinator, I am responsible for the coordination of numerous tasks for the preparation of the Annual Meeting, which includes assisting in Bio skills, the Innovation Theater, and other industry related events. I have worked in event management for two years in both logistics and exhibitor services. My job consisted of warehouse logistics, purchasing, inventory, assisting exhibitors in building their booths, and assisting in various trade shows.
I love to volunteer at animal shelters when I have the time.