HCEA’s success is attributable to the dedication and work of its committees, in conjunction with HCEA’s Board of Directors and staff. Below is a list of the committees now in place to facilitate successful implementation of HCEA’s Strategic Plan. The committee chairs and a brief description detailing the committee’s activities are noted. HCEA’s members are encouraged to contact any of the chairs listed below or the Atlanta-based HCEA staff to participate on a committee or learn more about its work.

ASSOCIATION/INDUSTRY PARTNERING COMMITTEE

Chairs: Patricia Whitaker, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; Christine Farmer, sanofi-aventis
The Association/Industry Partnering (AIP) Committee was established to develop communications that foster a good working relationship between HCEA’s Regular, Associate and Supporting Members, and between HCEA and its allied organizations; and to promote HCEA’s Guidelines for U.S. Healthcare Conventions at all exhibits at which they participate. Activities that the AIPC may pursue in support of this charge include: Contributing relevant sessions for HCEA meetings and articles for HCEA publications.

Key activities: Guidelines, EACs (external), and association liaison. Lead a workshop or submit session ideas relative to the committee’s charge by responding to the HCEA AM call for papers process; forward information pertinent to, or develop an article about, a topic related to the committee’s charge for Edge e-newsletter or the members only resource center on the HCEA website at least once during the June-June committee year; be involved in HCEA liaison with other industry organizations and/or between industry associations.

 

ANNUAL MEETING COMMITTEE

Chair: Sue Huff, Medtronic, Inc.
Encourages and supports professional and personal development among member representatives to benefit them and their respective organizations. Provides industry-specific educational opportunities and valuable networking events.

Key activities: Annual Meeting, industry networking, HCEA’s Annual Meeting EAC.

 

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Chairs: Pat Friedlander, Word Up!; Karen Prieto, Forest Laboratories; Michelle Turenne, American Thoracic Society
The Education Committee is responsible for content development year-round in support of all HCEA educational programs (conferences, publications, electronic) including but not exclusive to the development of educational content for the HCEA Annual Meeting and Summit, and identifying key opinion leaders to be utilized for further development of educational content and to be available to present educational content as feasible.

Key activities: Submit or solicit submissions for articles, white papers, etc. for members-only resourcecenter on HCEA website; lead workshops or submit session ideas relative to the HCEA AM call for papersprocess; forward information pertinent to, or develop articles about, topics related to thecommittee’s charge for Edge e-newsletter or the members-only resource center on theHCEA website at least once during the June-June committee year.

 

MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE

Chair: Michael Seymour, CME, 3D Exhibits; Diane Benson, GE Healthcare
Identifies and optimizes all available resources to firmly position healthcare convention and meeting education and marketing as a vital and cost-effective component of the marketing mix in the existing healthcare marketplace and a changing market environment. Communicates HCEA’s position as the only association solely dedicated to improving the quality of all healthcare conventions and exhibitions.

Key activities: Press releases and article placement.

 

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Chairs: Randy Bauler, CEM, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses; Barbara Orr, Poretta & Orr; Janie Ward, CME/H, Abbott
Works to retain members and recruit new members to broaden the membership base, enabling HCEA to provide maximum services to help its member organizations facing the challenges of the competitive healthcare industry.

Key activities: Develops and implements membership retention and recruitment efforts, conducts member surveys.

 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Chairs: Sue Huff, Medtronic, Inc.
Invites suggestions from the membership for those offices and directorships which are vacant or about to expire. Considers nominees for the Distinguished Service Award. The Nominating Committee consists of the Association’s President, President-Elect, one member representative appointed by the President, one member representative appointed by the President- Elect and one member representative appointed by the Board of Directors.

Key activities: Determines nominees for officers and openings on Board of Directors, and recommends awards (e.g., Distinguished Service).

 

RESEARCH COMMITTEE

Chairs: Betsy Wadas, CME/H, Genentech; Jeremy Williams, PHOTOSOUND
The Research Committee has oversight of all HCEA activities centered around documenting and validating the value of healthcare convention marketing. The committee is responsible for conducting or otherwise generating research data on or about the effectiveness of healthcare convention marketing for the online resource center and other uses.

Key activities: Primary research (e.g., special marketing reports), secondary research, Research Grant Program.

Note: Certain activities may fall under more than one committee (e.g., technology).

 

EXECUTIVE DESCRIPTIONS

PRESIDENT
Peggy Furman, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.
The President presides at all meetings of the association, the Board of Directors and Executive/Finance Committee. The President serves as an ex-officio member, with voting rights on all committees. The President makes appointments of standing and special committees with the approval of the Board.

PRESIDENT ELECT
Susan Huff, Medtronic
The President-Elect presides at all meetings in the absence of the President, and shall perform the duties of the President in the event of the President’s inability to serve. The President-Elect also may carry out other duties designated by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors. The President-Elect serves as Chair of the Annual Meeting Committee.

VICE-PRESIDENT
Betsy Wadas, CME/H, Genentech
The Vice President may carry out duties as assigned by the President and Board of Directors.

SECRETARY
Janie Ward, Abbott
The Secretary, along with HCEA staff, is responsible for the records of the association in addition to the minutes of all proceedings of the Association and the Board of Directors. The Secretary also is responsible for the proper and legal mailing of notices to members, and keeps the official Seal of the Association.

TREASURER
Susan Weatherbee, Boston Scientific
The Treasurer, along with HCEA staff, is in charge of the association’s funds and financial records, including the collection of membership dues, the establishment of proper accounting procedures and keeping the funds of the association as directed by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer reports on the financial condition of the Association at the Annual Meeting and all meetings of the Board.

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Karen Kingston, CME/H, CMP, B. Braun Medical
The Immediate Past President serves on the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. In addition, the Immediate Past President serves as an advisor to the President.

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
Eric Allen, Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association
The Executive Vice President shall be responsible for the management and direction of all activities of the Association as prescribed by the Board of Directors and shall be responsible to the Board.