Side activities
The AO Davos Courses are much more than an educational event—they are a gateway to inspiration, innovation, and lifelong connections. Alongside world-class courses, our side activities offer a rich and engaging program that brings the AO community together in meaningful and impactful ways.
Whether you're looking to explore new ideas, meet global experts, or enjoy the spirit of Davos, this is where your journey goes beyond the classroom.
Key events
Opening Ceremony
The AO President and other leaders welcome participants, faculty, industrial partners, and special guests to kick off the AO Davos Courses.
Check out this news article about the week 1, 2025 Opening Ceremony .
AO Davos Courses Night
An exciting evening dedicated to exploring the AO experience and engaging with participants, faculty, and the wider AO community.
Read more about the AO Davos Courses Night from previous years here.
AO Experience
Explore the AO’s innovations, research, education, and impactful history and connect with the AO community at dedicated booths along the Congress Centre’s main hallway.
Throughout the two weeks and during the AO Davos Courses Night, the AO Experience area showcases the AO Foundation’s products, services and innovations. It is hosted by the AO Research Institute, AO Innovation Translation Center, the AO Education Institute, and AO’s Community Development.​
AO Innovation Hub
Where ideas meet action.
The AO Innovation Hub is your front-row seat to the future of surgery. This is where AO’s brightest minds, industry partners, and development teams come together to share, challenge, and shape what’s next.
- Meet the Experts
Watch live sessions delivered by expert surgeons who are directly involved in the development of the AO Technical Commission’s latest approved medical solutions. Watch recorded Meet the Experts sessions from previous issues of AO Davos Courses here. - Fireside chats
Intimate discussions on breakthrough ideas and real-world impact. - Industry sessions
Insights from our partners on how innovation is transforming care. - Meet the AO’s researchers and innovators
Go behind the scenes with the creators of the AO’s latest technologies. - Podium discussions
Open forums to explore bold ideas and emerging trends.
Community moments
We bring together participants–from NextGen to faculty to AO leaders–in a relaxed and welcoming setting to connect, exchange, and discover what it means to be part of the global AO community.
The Bridging Generations lunch sessions foster cross-generational exchange between participants and some of the most sought-after key opinion leaders on topics not covered in the classrooms. Engage in highly interactive discussions in small groups with our leading surgeons. If you are attending the 2026 AO Davos Courses, secure your seat now. For more information and to register, please visit the side activities overview.
Educational extras
Go deeper into preclinical and clinical topics and current challenges with focused sessions led by experts.
AO Center visit
Take a tour of our headquarters, the AO Center, and gain insights into the AO's ongoing activities and resources available to support you in your clinical work.
Live surgical demonstrations
Observe a range of live surgeries with RIMASYS' SHARD—a 360-degree mobile operating theater.
Lunch symposia
AO Spine and AO Recon combined lunch symposium
Fireside chats
Small-format discussions with global leaders in surgical research, innovation, and education from diverse clinical specialties.
Quick links
Key events
AO Davos Courses Night
Opening Ceremony
Community moments
AO Access—driving the AO's diversity, inclusion, and mentorship programs
AO Spine Youth Club: Our future is bright!
Bridging the generations
Meet and greet
Innovation Hub
AO Technical Commission Meet the Experts
Watch a Meet the Experts session from the AO Davos Courses 2024