HCEA’s success is attributable to the dedication and work of its committees, in conjunction with HCEA’s Board of Directors and staff. Below is a list of the committees now in place to facilitate successful imple­mentation of HCEA’s Strategic Plan. The committee chairs and a brief description detailing the commit­tee’s activities are noted. HCEA’s members are encouraged to contact any of the chairs listed below or the Atlanta-based HCEA staff to participate on a committee or learn more about its work. (The member­ship of those committees designated by an asterisk(*) is defined by HCEA’s Bylaws, and thus is not open to the membership-at-large.)

 

2007-2008 COMMITTEES

ASSOCIATION/INDUSTRY PARTNERING COMMITTEE

Chair: Barbara Charbonneau, CMP, St. Jude Medical, Inc.
The Association/Industry Partnering (AIP) Committee was established to develop communications that foster a good working relationship between HCEA’s Regular, Associate and Supporting Members, and between HCEA and its allied organizations; and to promote HCEA’s Guidelines for U.S. Healthcare Conventions at all exhibits at which they participate. Activities that the AIPC may pursue in support of this charge include: Contributing relevant sessions for HCEA meetings and articles for HCEA publications.

Key activities: Guidelines, EACs (external), AIP Alert newsletter and association liaison.

ANNUAL MEETING COMMITTEE

Chair: Barbara Costa, Organon USA Inc.
Encourages and supports professional and personal development among member representatives to benefit them and their respective organizations. Provides industry-specific educational opportunities and valuable networking events.

Key activities: Annual Meeting, industry networking, technology, other education, HCEA’s Annual Meeting EAC.

EXECUTIVE/FINANCE COMMITTEE

Chair: Cynthia Holloway, Tyco Healthcare
Acts in place of the Board of Directors between Board meetings on all matters, except those specifically reserved to the Board by the by-laws. Reports to the Board for ratification of actions. The Committee consists of the Association’s President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past President and Executive Director. 
Makes financial recommendations to the Board and performs other duties in connection with the association’s finances as the Board may determine.

Key activities: Strategic Planning, recommends certain actions to the Board for ratification, provides financial advice to the Board and performs other duties in connection with HCEA’s finances as determined by the Board.\

INFORMATION RESOURCE COMMITTEE

Chair: Karen Kingston, B. Braun Medical
Assists with development and promotion of new publications and products to benefit member representatives and their respective organizations.

Key activities: HCEA Directory, technology (e.g., Online Directory), Insight, Information Resource Center (IRC) - Headquarters, and other publications and products.

MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE

Chair: Jim Hladnik, Abbott
Identifies and optimizes all available resources to firmly position healthcare convention and meeting education and marketing as a vital and cost-effective component of the marketing mix in the existing healthcare marketplace and a changing market environment. Communicates HCEA's position as the only association solely dedicated to improving the quality of all healthcare conventions and exhibitions.

Key activities: Primary research (e.g., Special Marketing Reports), secondary research, press releases, and article placement, Research Grant Program.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Co-Chair: David Perkins, Dupree Security, Inc.
Works to retain existing and recruit new members to broaden the membership base, enabling HCEA to provide maximum services to help its member organizations facing the challenges of the competitive healthcare industry.

Key activities: Develops and implements membership retention and recruitment efforts, conducts member surveys.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE *

Chair: Sue Jones, Boston Scientific
Invites suggestions from the membership for those offices and directorships which are vacant or about to expire. Considers nominees for the Distinguished Service Award. 
The Nominating Committee consists of the Association’s President, President-Elect, one member representative appointed by the President, one member representative appointed by the President-Elect and one member representative appointed by the Board of Directors.

Key activities: Determines nominees for officers and openings on Board of Directors, and recommends awards (e.g., Distinguished Service).

Note: Certain activities may fall under more than one committee (e.g., technology).

EXECUTIVE DESCRIPTIONS

President –Sue Jones, Boston Scientific
The President presides at all meetings of the association, the Board of Directors and Executive/Finance Committee. The President serves as an ex-officio member, with voting rights on all committees. The President makes appointments of standing and special committees with the approval of the Board.

President-Elect – Barbara Costa, Organon USA
The President-Elect presides at all meetings in the absence of the President, and shall perform the duties of the President in the event of the President’s inability to serve. The President-Elect also may carry out other duties designated by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors. The President-Elect serves as Chair of the Annual Meeting Committee.

Vice-President –Karen Prieto, Forest Laboratories
The Vice President may carry out duties as assigned by the President and Board of Directors.

Secretary – Nancy Hoppe, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
The Secretary, along with HCEA staff, is responsible for the records of the association in addition to the minutes of all proceedings of the Association and the Board of Directors. The Secretary also is responsible for the proper and legal mailing of notices to members, and keeps the official Seal of the Association.

Treasurer – Geri-Dee Shaffer, Aesculap, Inc.
The Treasurer, along with HCEA staff, is in charge of the association’s funds and financial records, including the collection of membership dues, the establishment of proper accounting procedures and keeping the funds of the association as directed by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer reports on the financial condition of the Association at the Annual Meeting and all meetings of the Board.

Immediate Past President –Cynthia Holloway, Tyco Healthcare
The Immediate Past President serves on the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. In addition, the Immediate Past President serves as an advisor to the President.

Executive Vice President – Eric Allen, Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association
The Executive Vice President provides oversight for the overall direction of the activities of the Association in coordination with the Executive Director and as prescribed by the Board of Directors.