Exploration of new technologies for connecting the healthcare industry with relevant education was a keystone element of the 2012 Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA) annual meeting held June 23 through 26 in Orlando, Fla.

Held at the Orange County Convention Center, the meeting was attended by 633 participants and featured HCEA’s first-ever live-streamed programming, as well as heartfelt participation in HCEA’s charity programs .Attendees participated in multiple opportunities to expand their knowledge of emerging meetings industry innovations.

Opening with this theme was keynote speaker James Spellos, president, Meeting U., who urged attendees to give considerable thought to how social media may enrich their interactions at meetings as well as their professional personas. The keynote address, the HCEA “State of the Industry Report” and a special workshop on marketing called “Anatomy of Strategy – A Get to the Heart of the Matter Moment” were streamed live to HCEA’s audience to expand access to these learning opportunities.

Other learning highlights included moderated knowledge-sharing exchanges, creative new ways to measure healthcare convention marketing value and success, and sessions about preparing exhibit programs for compliance with international, federal and state marketing laws and regulations.

HCEA’s annual giving-back programs provided attendees with unique and gratifying opportunities to contribute to the Orlando community. Activities included volunteering for Give Kids the World and Edgewood Children’s Ranch, organizations that help children in need. Also featured was a charity golf tournament that raised funds for the organizations, and donation bins placed throughout the exhibition for collecting donation items. HCEA’s Corporate Social Responsibility Committee led these activities.

“The HCEA community stepped up to the challenge and exceeded our expectations,” said Mike Bradley, general manager, Derse. “The Give Kids the World families we interfaced with demonstrated the true spirit of hope, faith and belief in making the most out of every day with their sick child. We left the experience changed for the better; it made us all appreciate the blessings we enjoy and the responsibilities we have in helping others through tough times. The donations collected at the golf event and monies collected from others unable to participate were amazing.”

The best booth contest was again a highlight of the HCEA exhibition. Winners of the contest were exhibitors EWI Worldwide and Harborside Interactive. Also featured in the exhibit hall were educational sessions focused on industry compliance issues, professional development and innovative ideas for exhibit design.

In addition, HCEA’s 2012-2013 Board of Directors was announced, with Susan Huff of Medtronic installed as HCEA president. Geri-Dee Shaffer, former director of the Aesculap Academy, was honored with the HCEA distinguished service award to acknowledge her decades of service in the healthcare convention marketing industry and her dedication to HCEA.

Other 2012-2013 Board officers are president elect Betsy Wadas, CME/H, Genentech; vice president Janie Ward, CME/H, Abbott; treasurer Susan Weatherbee, Boston Scientific; secretary Kim Foley, Philips Healthcare; and immediate past president, Peggy Furman, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.

The association’s 2012-2014 directors are Christine DiDomenico of Purdue Pharma, Christine Farmer of Sanofi; Carol Fields of Edwards Lifesciences; Karen Kingston of B. Braun Medical; and Dawn Will of Pfizer.

The association’s 2012-2013 directors are Randy Bauler of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses; Diane Benson of GE Healthcare; Sheree Budrecki of Bristol-Myers Squibb; Anna Mosback of Covidien Surgical Solutions; Karen Prieto of Forest Laboratories; and Michael Seymour of 3D Exhibits.

The association’s 2012-2013 appointed directors are: Sara Peterson of the American Academy of Dermatology, Michelle Turenne of the American Thoracic Society and Kyle Wood of Delphi Productions.