Education Rules the Show at Rheumatology-focused ACR/ARHP 2013 Annual Meeting
October 31, 2013
The theme of knowledge sharing and networking around the discipline of rheumatology at this year’s ACR/ARHP meeting was evident, both on and off the showfloor.
The 15,000 attendees, comprised of physicians, the scientific community and health care professionals, were able to enjoy the week-long meeting Oct 25-30 at the San Diego Convention Center and the 80,000 square feet of exhibitor space.
“We look at the overall experience and want every aspect of the meeting to be of the highest quality, from when they step off the plane to when the get back on,” said ACR Exhibits Director Stacey Chandler.
She added, “We take our position as one of the leaders in medical education very seriously. And with the ACR/ARHP annual meetings, we are able to provide both networking and educational opportunities for those in the field of rheumatology.”
Attendee, speaker and poster presenter Dr. Mary Vera, PhD, from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, agreed.
“I have been presenting with ACR since 2009, and I am very excited to be back this year with my PhD completed,” she added. “The educational sessions at the ACR/ARHP annual meeting are great for the scientific community to present our latest research.”
The poster sessions provided great traffic for the exhibitors. “We have been exhibiting for 10 years, and we have a great position with our booth near the poster sessions. This meeting always has fantastic networking and business opportunities for us,” said Ranit Shriky, director of the Peter D. Seligman Center for Advanced Therapeutics at NYU Langone Medical Center. “We have also noticed this year a noticeable amount of international attendees coming through our booth, which is a great trend to see.”
The relocation of the Discovery Center, which provides information and assistance to the attendee, to the middle of the exhibit hall added to the engagement on the showfloor.
“It has been great to have the Discovery Center right on the showfloor, and the energy from the attendees has been phenomenal,” said exhibitor Tammy McMahon, Marketing Coordinator with Actelion Pharmaceuticals.
Attendee Nilsa Cruz with the Milwaukee Rheumatology Center also has been happy with the sessions around the changes in health care. “Involvement by the rheumatology community is key to being advocates for our patients. ACR membership helps with disseminating new information such as new coding requirements. The ACR keeps us involved and educated as a community.”
“With nearly 275 educational sessions and more technology-related exhibits this year, we believe there is so much more to discover with rheumatology and ACR/ARHP,” added Stacey Chandler.
The 2014 meeting will take place Nov. 14-19, 2014, in Boston.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
Add new comment