Where Life Meets Science - January 25, 2010
GREATER PHILADELPHIA LIFE SCIENCES CONGRESS NEWS If you know someone who would like to receive this e-newsletter, click here
FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BONNIE GRANT: The healthcare convention industry has faced many recent challenges from the affects of the revised PhRMA and AdvaMed Codes and impositions of various state laws into the business of convention exhibiting. The Health Care Exhibitors Association (HCEA) Marketing Summit that was held in Philadelphia on January 14 at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel addressed these issues and more. The plenary session, titled “Beyond the Recession: How the Economy and Other Factors Have Shaped Healthcare Convention Marketing,” featured Skip Cox, CEO and President of Exhibit Surveys, and Bill Trombetta, Professor of Pharmaceutical Marketing at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. Addressing the trends that determine effectiveness of conventions, they reported that convention attendance in other industries has declined overall by 15.6%, but the decline in healthcare conventions since 2008 has been about 5.6%. Breakout sessions included a review of HCEA’s “The Future of the Exhibit Hall,” a research project that looks at attitudes and preferences of healthcare professionals and how to make the exhibit hall more attendee-friendly. The U.S. Travel Association also presented the findings of Oxford Economics Study that demonstrated the resulting profitability from investments in conventions and business travel (see more below under THE BUSINESS OF TRAVEL). Findings show that conventions, besides being a good investment in people, help to retain customers, convert prospects to customers, and facilitate networking. More data can be found at www.meetingsmeanbusiness.com. HCEA remains a valuable resource for its members who are in the business of healthcare conventions, medical meetings, and exhibitions. For more information, visit www.hcea.org.
ON THE BUSINESS OF TRAVEL: Convention and exhibition participation yields an average return of $4 to $5.99 per dollar invested, according to findings from a recent study conducted by Oxford Economics and sponsored in part by the Destination & Travel Foundation, a combined effort of the U.S. Travel Association and Destination Marketing Association International. Other findings from the study include the following:
• More than half of business travelers said that five to 20 percent of their companies' new customers resulted from participating in exhibitions
• For every dollar invested in business travel, companies experience an average $12.50 in increased revenue and $3.80 in new profits
• The average U.S. business would forfeit 15 percent of its profits in the first year if it eliminated business travel, and it would take over three years for profits to recover.
"This research shows that face-to-face meetings ... are among the smartest investments companies can make," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. To read the full study, click here: http://www.meetingsmeanbusiness.com/value-meetings
PHILADELPHIA’S “GYM” FOR INNOVATORS: Philadelphia’s first “gym” for innovators has opened at the University City Science Center. NextFab Studio, a membership-based technology workshop and prototyping center, unveiled its brand-new facility to the public with an open-house event on January 22. The 3,600-square-foot facility provides comfortable, clean, and safe workspaces equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, digital embroiderers and other cutting-edge tools (see http://www.nextfabstudio.com/equipment). Expert instructors and a diverse community of collaborators are on hand to help inventors, artists, and innovators problem-solve and achieve their vision. NextFab Studio memberships will be available for individuals, students, corporations, and institutions, with rates and details available at http://www.nextfabstudio.com/membership. NextFab Studio operates in partnership with the Science Center’s nonprofit Breadboard program to bring the arts and technology educational and innovation opportunities to the broader community.
TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF PCC EXPANSION: The virtual tour of the expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center is now available on our Web site. You can view it at Pennsylvania Convention Center Expansion Virtual Tour
UPCOMING LIFE SCIENCES MEETINGS IN PHILADELPHIA:
• National Science Teachers Association/IMN Solutions, March 18-21; Attendance: 18,000
• National Association for Research in Science Teaching Annual Convention, March 20-24; Attendance: 900
• American Association of Neurological Surgeons, May 1-5; Attendance: 4,000
UPCOMING TRI-STATE BIO EVENTS:
• Sixteenth Annual BioNJ Dinner Meeting, Awards Program/Networking Event, Thursday, January 28, 2010, 5 p.m., Hilton East Brunswick, 3 Tower Center Boulevard, East Brunswick, NJ BioNJ annual awards dinner
• 2010 Pennsylvania Bio Annual Dinner and Awards Celebration, Thursday, March 11, 2010, 6 p.m. Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA Pennsylvania Bio Annual Dinner
WHERE LIFE MEETS SCIENCE IS A BI-WEEKLY EMAIL COMMUNICATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE GPLSC
CONTACT: Bonnie Grant, Executive Director, 215-636-4410
GPLSC is a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, 215-636-3300
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