Nation's Largest Aesthetic Medicine & Dermatology Convention Scheduled for August 18-22
Music City SCALE is returning to Nashville August 18-22, ushering in a new venue and exciting lineup of some of the world's top skin care experts.
Organizers say the 16th annual convention, which typically draws more than 1,000 dermatology and cosmetic surgery professionals, is a welcome change of pace from last year's virtual event - one of the first international conventions to go online in 2020.
"The amount of education participants received last year was incredible because they could actually sit and listen to all the talks without the distractions normally associated with live meetings," said Brian Biesman, MD, SCALE co-founder and Nashville-based cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon. "Ours was one of the first large-scale virtual events, and we learned a lot."
New Location
While last year's event drew an impressive 500-plus online attendees, organizers are grateful to bring one of the nation's largest industry events back to Middle Tennessee. In fact, the Symposium for Cosmetic Advances and Laser Surgery has notably found a new home for 2021 - The Grand Hyatt Nashville.
A newcomer to Nashville's luxury hotel scene, the Hyatt is walking distance of the Gulch, Lower Broadway and Midtown. The hotel offers enough space to house SCALE attendees, along with ample meeting space to encourage social distancing. The symposium represents the first in a five-year commitment to the Broadway hotel.
Michael Gold, MD, FAAD
"These meetings really work best when you can have everyone in the same place, and we're taking up 90 percent of the hotel," said SCALE co-founder Michael Gold, MD, FAAD, dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at Gold Skin Care Center. "It's spectacular inside, and we're excited to showcase Nashville in a new venue."
Expanded Offerings
The August event is expanding its highly popular cadaver facial dissection anatomy course, now offered for a full day. Led by Biesman and world-renowned anatomist Sebastian Cotofana, MD, PhD, the course consists of four 90-minute modules focusing on toxins and fillers in the upper, middle and lower face.
A two-hour SCALE hair workshop also has been added to this year's lineup, featuring the latest in hair loss research and restoration treatment options. Gold said the workshop, and many others, are a response to patient demand.
"We're really expanding the scope of program because a lot of surgeons are now doing more surgical and nonsurgical treatments," Biesman added. "This started as a laser meeting but has expanded into different areas outside energy-based devices from injectables to medical dermatology, aesthetic surgery and topicals."
The Zoom Effect
Now a popular component of SCALE, medical dermatology is rolling out new therapies for acne, psoriasis and other common conditions. "Research endeavors didn't stop during the pandemic," Gold said. "On the cosmetic side a lot of innovation took place behind the scenes with a lot of new approvals, and we're the first meting to showcase much of that."
Gold noted cosmetology practices are booked solid in 2021 - a post-pandemic reaction that caught providers off guard. "We call it the 'Zoom boom' or 'Zoom effect,' because people were forced to look at themselves all day online," he said. "Using minimally invasive aesthetic treatments, we're able to help people feel good about themselves."
The infamous "quarantine weight gain" has opened an additional unexpected market for injectables in the face and neck, as well. Many of the latest innovations with these treatments will be highlighted. SCALE will be among the first meetings to showcase a recently approved injectable for cellulite.
Bringing the Best to Nashville
The meeting's 80-plus faculty members include internationally known keynote speakers Mitchell Brin, MD, a respected botulinum toxin research expert; facial plastic surgeon Stephen Dayan, MD, discussing the psychosocial aspect of cosmetic surgery; Botox pioneer Jean Carruthers, MD, FRCSC; and astronaut Rhea Seddon, MD, one of the first six women accepted by NASA. The former astronaut and veteran of three space shuttle flights is a national speaker and award-winning author.
"We're continually growing and offering attendees a relaxed, fun atmosphere with easy accessibility to the world's top experts," Biesman said. "Everyone has the opportunity to intermingle, so it's not like a society meeting where the faculty and attendees are so busy running to different buildings with a packed agenda that they barely have time to breathe."
Registration 101
The event will include more than 140 exhibitors and sponsors. A handful of speakers will also offer virtual lectures, and the entire event will be available on demand for 90 days.
SCALE organizers have continued their flexible registration fees for 2021, with residents and fellows receiving free admission. Office staff can attend for half price, and non-physician providers receive a discount, as well. A significant discount also is available for virtual only attendees. Registration information is available at scalemusiccity.com.
"SCALE is a nice mix of great academics and exposure to top quality faculty, which have been carefully selected," Biesman said. "For the investment I don't think you'll find a better return in any meeting anywhere."
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