The Association of Anesthesia Clinical Directors was formed in October 1988, by a group of anesthesia clinical directors who were invited to the ASA annual meeting in San Francisco to discuss clinical anesthesia and O.R. Management. At this meeting, it was obvious that the management problems of each individual were universal to all, and that common solutions could be found through association and dialogue. The purpose of the society is to provide a forum for anesthesiologists whose primary responsibility is operating room management. We recognize that given the changing health care environment in which we practice, operating room efficiency, productivity, and cost containment are increasingly vital to our survival. The AACD offers physicians with an interest in the business aspect of operating room management an opportunity to share ideas with colleagues, meet anesthesiologists who have more experience than they in this area, and share in a common forum for the discussion of problems.