FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 11, 2002

CONTACT: Jennifer Palcher - HCEA (404) 252-3663

ATLANTA - An insider's discussion of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) "Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals" was a highlight of the Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA) 2002 Annual Meeting, held June 22-25 in Toronto, Canada.

Timothy T. Casady, Deputy General Counsel of Eli Lilly and Company and Chair of the Legal Section of PhRMA, spoke to a standing-room-only crowd at the HCEA Annual Meeting about the specifics of the new PhRMA Code, which went into effect on July 1. Casady said that the PhRMA Code was designed to level the pharmaceutical marketing playing field and to clarify that interactions between pharmaceutical sales representatives and physicians were meant to benefit patients and improve the practice of medicine.

"In addition to other crucial educational workshops, HCEA was very excited to offer our Annual Meeting attendees the opportunity to interact with Casady, who was heavily involved in the creation of the PhRMA Code," said Eric Allen, executive director of HCEA. "Providing a quality, relevant learning environment for healthcare exhibit marketing professionals is what the HCEA Annual Meeting is all about."

Six hundred eighty-four attendees came together to "reach skyward" at the HCEA Annual Meeting by attending workshops, making new contacts at networking events and exploring the exhibit hall. The meeting was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and the headquarters hotel was The Fairmont Royal York, one of the finest hotels in Canada.

The Annual Meeting included 33 educational workshops focusing on such topics as measuring the value of event marketing, legal issues, security, mentoring, lead processing, building booth traffic and international meetings. Lucy Rose, former head of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising and Communications, provided a general session update on FDA enforcement activities. In addition, The Passing Zone, a juggling duo, provided a dynamic keynote address by demonstrating the importance of balancing life's commitments while keeping many balls-or, in one case, chainsaws-in the air at once. Also featured were valuable networking activities, such as the Opening Reception at The Fairmont Royal York, an evening at Toronto's Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex and The Grand Finale Annual Gala.

In addition, the HCEA exhibit hall, which sold out in record time for 2002, showcased 110 exhibitors offering a variety of products and services designed to make a healthcare exhibit marketing professional's job easier. Exhibitors included exhibit designers and builders, I&D companies, exhibit staff training firms, hotels, CVBs and interactive technology companies.

Also, Barbara Orr, Executive Vice President and Owner/Partner of Poretta & Orr, Inc., Doylestown, Pa., received the prestigious HCEA Distinguished Service Award during the meeting. Orr was recognized for many years of service to HCEA and the healthcare convention marketing industry, including serving on the HCEA Board of Directors for five years and participating on the Annual Meeting Committee since 1988.

HCEA's next Annual Meeting will be held June 7-10, 2003, in Palm Springs, Calif., at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The headquarters hotel will be the Wyndham Palm Springs Hotel, and the alternate hotel will be the Palm Springs Hilton. For more information on the 2003 Annual Meeting, stay tuned to the HCEA Web site at www.hcea.org, or contact HCEA headquarters at (404) 252-3663; fax (404) 252-0774; or e-mail at hcea@kellencompany.com

HCEA is the only association solely dedicated to improving the effectiveness of all conventions, meetings and exhibitions for the healthcare industry. HCEA represents more than 700 member organizations involved in healthcare exhibitions and conventions.

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