FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 21, 2007

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

ATLANTA – Meagan Johnson, known as the “Generational Humorist,” has been announced as the plenary speaker for the 2008 HCEA Healthcare Convention Marketing Summit, January 24, 2008, at the Hartford Marriott Downtown in Hartford, Connecticut.
Meagan’s address will focus on generational differences in the workplace, and how each generation has very unique wants, needs and desires. Meagan will discuss how old-style human resources approaches don’t always retain the best people, and how getting people to work together is the critical success factor in every phase of your enterprise. Healthcare exhibit managers and convention marketers will glean valuable insight into how to keep their teams working together efficiently by allowing for generational differences.

The 2008 Summit agenda is as follows:

Plenary Address -- 9:30 to 11:00 AM, Zap the Gap!, Meagan Johnson

Morning Workshops -- 11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

• Healthcare Exhibits: Inside the Mind of the Healthcare Professional, Jeremy Williams, Group President - HealthSTAR Communications, CEO - PHOTOSOUND

• New Directions In CME: A Look at the ACCME and the Senate Finance Committee, Robert F. Orsetti, MA, FACME, Executive Vice President, Educational Measures LLC

Afternoon Workshops -- 1:45 to 3:00 PM

• Healthcare Exhibiting Around the Globe, Moderator: Pat Friedlander, President, Word-Up!
  Panel: Terry Campanero, Vice President of Client Services, Exhibitgroup/Giltspur; Brad Clift, Global Event Marketing Manager, American Medical Systems; Jon Ellms, Account Director, AccessTCA; Philip Soschinski, Executive Vice President, Expotechnik America; Nancy Hoppe, CME, Associate Director, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals; and John Moyes, Principal, General Graphics Exhibits

• Case Study: Virtual Conference and Expo Success Story, Jeffry Schmitt, Distance Education Manager, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society

Afternoon Workshops -- 3:15 to 4:30 PM

• The HCEA 2008 Special Report on Healthcare Meeting Globalization, Frank Skinner, Manager, Marketing Research and Communications, HCEA (Research Report Sponsor: Catalyst Exhibits, Inc.)

• Association/Industry Exchange, Moderators: Karen Prieto, Assistant Director, Convention Marketing & Meeting Planning, Forest Laboratories, Inc., and Christina Rayzis, Exhibit Manager, American College of Physicians

In addition, HCEA will hold a networking reception the night before the Summit on January 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Hartford Marriott Downtown.

Registration costs before January 5, 2008, are $295 for HCEA Regular/Associate Members, $395 for HCEA Supporting Members and non-member Regular/Associate organizations, and $495 for non-member Supporting organizations. Visit www.hcea.org for updated details.

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