Hot take on ACFAS and AMIFAS

A few weeks ago I gave my review of the FPMA SAM Conference and now I'm back to tell you about ACFAS and AMIFAS.

First, the Academy of Minimally Invasive Foot & Ankle Surgery (AMIFAS) held their Annual MIS Cadaver Lab Seminar on February 18-20 in Orlando. Full disclosure – I am on the planning staff for this organization (just like I help with the FPMA SAM conference).

The event was sold out with a max capacity of 80 attendees coming from all over the world including Spain, Australia, Brazil, Morocco and more.

The first 2 days were lectures from MIS experts and the third day was the cadaver lab. The event also included an exhibit hall with vendors offering MIS tools and complementary products and services. AIMx Podiatry sponsored a bustling Welcome Reception for all attendees and speakers.

AMIFAS is the original MIS organization, founded over 50 years ago and boasts faculty and board members who are world-renowned experts in their field. They have several other events throughout the year with details being published soon. Curious? Find AMIFAS here.

I came home from AMIFAS for 2 days to do laundry and hit the road again headed to Las Vegas for ACFAS.

I don't get the chance to go to ACFAS every year so I was excited to return. I love seeing the elaborate booth designs showcased at ACFAS and 2026 did not disappoint.

In true ACFAS style, no expense was spared. From the venue (Venetian Hotel and Convention Center), to the food, and the swag, everything was top-shelf. I ran into many of my favorite people and was able to connect with most of my PodiatryMeetings.com corporate sponsors. The Welcome Reception included games, airbrush tattoos, and an open bar. There were 5 full days of lectures and hands-on workshops led by premier foot and ankle surgeons.

I was surprised to find a trifold schedule at-a-glance rather than the standard full-size program. The trifold was a budget friendly choice that still satisfied old-school folks like myself that want to hold a schedule in their hands.

The Registration area was massive with a self-serve badge ribbon station for speakers, residents, and other delegates, huge bins of super fancy backpacks sponsored by Fusion Orthopedics, and multiple photo-op stations. Each night was filled with industry sponsored receptions and dinners.

Nearly 2,300 physicians attended the event, spread across 3 floors of the convention center. For as many people that were there, traffic in the massive exhibit hall seemed light unless you were one of the mammoth booths at the front of the expo.

ACFAS is definitely an event you must attend at least every few years. The 2027 Annual Scientific Conference will be in Orlando from March 11 – March 15th.

-Annie