Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association Names Huff President; Announces New Board Members for 2012-2013
August 18, 2012
Susan Huff, director of global conventions for Medtronic, was named president of the Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA) for 2012-2013.
Huff assumed the role of HCEA president during the 2012 HCEA Annual Meeting that was held June 23-26 in Orlando.
Huff has been in the convention industry for almost 30 years, working for Medtronic for 25 of those years, and has held a variety of convention-related positions.
In her current role, she leads the exhibit design program on a global basis for Medtronic. Prior to Medtronic, she worked in communications and public relations for a show organizer.
She also is a member of the Exhibit Industry Council and the All Industry Summit. She earned a B.S. in Advertising from the University of Wisconsin.
During her acceptance speech at the HCEA Annual Meeting, Huff stressed the importance of face-to-face marketing: “Watch face-to-face in action. This is our profession; we create environments to make this happen.”
She added, “At the same time, we’re facing more competition from other marketing channels, such as the web, virtual events and social media. While acknowledging these other channels can complement the face-to-face channel, we need to continue to demonstrate the value of face-to-face. This is where HCEA can help.”
Huff has been a member of HCEA since 1990 and has served on the HCEA Board of Directors since 2003. Huff served as HCEA President-Elect during 2011-2012.
Also at the HCEA annual meeting, the board of directors were named for 2012-2013:
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.
HCEA’s 2012-2014 directors are:
Christine DiDomenico, Purdue Pharma L.P.; Christine Farmer, Sanofi; Carol Fields, CME/H, Edwards Lifesciences; Karen Kingston, CME/H, CMP, B. Braun Medical; and Dawn Will, Pfizer.
HCEA’s 2012-2013 directors are:
Randy Bauler, CEM, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses; Diane Benson, CTSM, GE Healthcare; Sheree Budrecki, Bristol-Myers Squibb; Anna Mosback, Covidien Surgical Solutions; Karen Prieto, Forest Laboratories, Inc.; and Michael Seymour, CME, 3D Exhibits.
HCEA’s 2012-2013 appointed directors are:
Sara Peterson, CEM, American Academy of Dermatology; Michelle Turenne, American Thoracic Society; and Kyle Wood, Delphi Productions.
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
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