FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 8, 2009

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

ATLANTA — Nancy Hoppe, CME/H, Associate Director, Global Congress and Convention Management, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, was named President of the Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA) for 2009-2010.  Hoppe was officially installed as HCEA President during the HCEA Annual Meeting in Tampa, June 13-16, 2009.

Hoppe has worked for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals for nine years, and has been responsible for managing and planning the company’s participation in U.S. conventions and global congresses for a variety of therapy areas.  In addition, she has more than 30 years of pharmaceutical sales, marketing and advertising experience and holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

During her acceptance speech at the HCEA Annual Meeting, Hoppe spoke about the wave of regulatory developments impacting the healthcare convention marketing and exhibitions industry, saying, “All of us as members of HCEA have a responsibility to understand what the new regulations entail, but more importantly, how we will implement the convention tactics based on these changing regulations.  So even though we’re doing away with the pens, mugs and other reminder items, we’re not doing away with traffic builders.  We just need to be more proactive and aware of what is being offered so we can bring these ideas back to our stakeholders.”

Hoppe has served on the HCEA Board of Directors since 2005.  She also chaired the HCEA 2008-2009 Annual Meeting Committee, which was involved in planning and producing the event, as well as the 2008-2009 HCEA Nominating Committee, which established the slate of officers and directors for HCEA that was recommended to the voting membership for approval. 

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