A New Perspective on Graphics

Christine Farmer, Senior Convention Manager, sanofi-aventis US and Chris Metzger, National Accounts Director, Freeman

Traditional advice about planning exhibit graphics is to think of billboards: after all, is driving down the highway all that different from walking down the aisle at a convention? In both cases, images attract and connect us to the company or product portrayed.
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Karen Kingston, B. Braun Medical, Named President of HCEA

Karen Kingston, CME/H, CMP, B. Braun Medical, Inc., Bethlehem, Pa., was named President of the Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA) for 2010-2011.  Kingston was officially installed as HCEA President during the 2010 HCEA Annual Meeting in New Orleans, June 26-29.
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HCEA’s Distinguished Service Award Presented to Joyce Banister, Bristol-Myers Squibb

Joyce Banister, Associate Director, Advertising Resources, Bristol-Myers Squibb, was presented with the Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA) Distinguished Service Award during the 2010 HCEA Annual Meeting, June 26-29, in New Orleans. 
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Moving Toward the Future While Giving Back: HCEA Blends Professional Development with Community Outreach at 2010 Annual Meeting

Strategic and creative uses for new healthcare meeting technologies and tools for complying with federal and state laws and regulations are just a few examples of key educational takeaways from the 2010 Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA) Annual Meeting, held June 26-29 in New Orleans. Read More »

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Associations Respond – and Prove that Innovation is Alive and Well

My last blog (The Enigma of Nonresponsive Markets) generated a lot of feedback.  Some of it demonstrated that excellent ideas for turning exhibit halls into responsive markets are out there and being implemented. Read More »

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HCEA Gives Back to New Orleans through Community Outreach at 2010 Annual Meeting

The Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA) will reach out to New Orleans through charitable activities and other events during the 2010 HCEA Annual Meeting, June 26-29. Read More »

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The Enigma of Nonresponsive Markets

I’ve gotten interested lately in a phenomenon that I’ll call “nonresponsive markets.”  I’m no economist, so I’m sure I’m not coming up with anything new here, and it probably already has a (different) name.  But what concerns me is this: I wonder whether we’re seeing an example of a nonresponsive market in the healthcare convention industry.  I hope not. Read More »

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Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association Celebrates 80th Anniversary

HCEA this year celebrates 80 years of leadership, advocacy and professionalism in the healthcare convention marketing and exhibitions industry. HCEA, which was founded in June 1930 in Detroit as the Medical Exhibitors Association, has continually led the way in promoting healthcare convention marketing and exhibitions as critical components of the healthcare marketing mix.. Read More »

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New Study Shows Exhibits and Business Travel Help Drive Profits

Convention and exhibition participation yields an average return of $4.00 to $5.99 per dollar invested, according to new findings from a study conducted by Oxford Economics and sponsored in part by the Destination & Travel Foundation, a combined effort of the U.S. Travel Association and Destination Marketing Association International. Other findings from the study include the following:

• More than half of business travelers said that five to 20 percent of their companies' new customers resulted from participating in exhibitions.
• For every dollar invested in business travel, companies experience an average $12.50 in increased revenue and $3.80 in new profits.
• The average U.S. business would forfeit 15 percent of its profits in the first year if it eliminated business travel, and it would take over three years for profits to recover.

"Business travel is economic stimulus," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. "In order to grow, businesses have to invest. This research shows that face-to-face meetings ... are among the smartest investments companies can make." Oxford Economics' analysis covered 14 economic sectors over a span of 13 years. View Full Study

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HCEA Summit Highlights Research on Present and Future Trends Shaping Healthcare Conventions and More

Healthcare conventions have weathered the economic storm better than other sectors of the convention industry and are likely to continue to do so, according to new research presented at the 2010 Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA) Healthcare Convention Marketing Summit, held January 14, 2010, in Philadelphia.  The meeting drew 218 participants, the second highest attendance for an HCEA Summit, and was held at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel in Philadelphia. Read More »