Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, a U.S. immigrant who now serves as director of the Brain Tumor Surgery Program at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, will deliver the closing keynote address at the 2012 Americas Meetings & Events Exhibition (AIBTM), taking place June 19-21 in Baltimore, organizer Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) announced this week.
Quinones-Hinojosa — otherwise known as "Dr. Q" — will motivate attendees with his personal story: Born in a tiny farming community 60 miles south of the U.S. border, he immigrated to the United States at the age of 18. Once there, he worked and lived in the fields in a broken-down camper he bought for $300. Unable to provide for his family, however, he eventually signed up for English classes at a community college before attending the University of California, Berkeley on a scholarship. From there, he went on to Harvard Medical School, where he later delivered his class' commencement speech and also received his U.S. citizenship.
"We are delighted that Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa has accepted our invitation," said AIBTM Event Director Graeme Barnett. "He has a truly amazing story to share and one that I am sure will motivate and inspire. Delivering inspirational and thought provoking content is, once again, part of this year's AIBTM education program."
RTE promised that Dr. Q's presentation will be "packed with adventure and adversity," setting a "motivational benchmark for the meetings and events industry." For more information, visit www.aibtm.com.