FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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

ATLANTA - The Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association (HCEA) sold out the exhibit hall for its 2002 Annual Meeting on April 10, the earliest sellout ever for the meeting. The HCEA Annual meeting will be held in Toronto, Canada, June 22-25.

In order to give attendees and exhibitors a more concentrated environment in which to connect, HCEA limits the size of its exhibit hall to 150 paid spaces. This year, 108 exhibitors signed up for the HCEA 2002 Annual Meeting exhibit hall spaces, and a waiting list has formed. HCEA exhibitors include exhibit designers and builders, I&D companies, convention and visitors bureaus, hotels, freight carriers, meeting planners, destination management companies and many other companies servicing the healthcare exhibit and convention marketing field.

"We are delighted-but not surprised-that exhibitors recognize the value of the business opportunities presented by exhibiting at the HCEA Annual Meeting," said Eric Allen, HCEA executive director. "This further demonstrates the strength of the healthcare convention industry in the current economic environment."

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.