FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 10, 2006

CONTACT:
Frank Skinner
Jennifer Palcher-Silliman
(404) 252-3663

ATLANTA — The Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA) announced its officers and directors at its 2006 Annual Meeting, June 24–27, in Fort Lauderdale.  Cynthia Holloway, Tyco Healthcare, Mansfield, Mass., was inducted as President.

Other 2006–2007 HCEA officers are: President Elect — Sue Jones, Boston Scientific Corporation, Natick, Mass.; Vice President — Barbara Costa, Organon USA, Roseland, N.J.; Treasurer — Geri-Dee Shaffer, Aesculap, Inc., Duluth, Ga.; Secretary — Karen Prieto, Forest Laboratories, New York; and Immediate Past President — Juleanne Dawson, Bard Access Systems, Salt Lake City.

The association’s 2006-2007 directors are Joyce Banister, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Plainsboro, N.J.; Susan Huff, Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis; Laine Mann, Schering-Plough Corporation, Kenilworth, N.J.; Riki Metzger, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Malvern, Pa.; Barbara Orr, Poretta & Orr, Inc., Doylestown, Pa.; and Kevin Wohlfort, American Urological Association, Linthicum, Md.

The association’s 2006–2008 directors are Jan Blanck, Baxter Healthcare Corp., Round Lake, Ill.; Jim Hladnik, Abbott, Abbott Park, Ill.; Nancy Hoppe, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Collegetown, Pa.; Sandra Ratcliffe, Pfizer, Inc., New York; and Betsy Wadas, Roche Laboratories, Inc., Nutley, N.J.

The association’s 2006-2007 appointed directors are Dan Foley, Freeman, St. Paul, Minn.; Sharon Hutinett, American Academy of Family Physicians, Leawood, Kan.; and Karen Kingston, B. Braun Medical, Bethlehem, Pa.

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