ATLANTA — The Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA) announced its officers and directors at its 2008 Annual Meeting, June 21–24, in Salt Lake City.  Karen Prieto, Director, Convention Marketing & Meeting Planning, Forest Laboratories, Inc., New York, was inducted as President.

Other 2008–2009 HCEA officers are: President Elect — Nancy Hoppe, CME/H, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Collegeville, Pa.; Vice President — Karen Kingston, CMP, B. Braun Medical, Inc., Bethlehem, Pa.; Treasurer — Riki Metzger-Ford, Merck Human Health Division, North Wales, Pa.; Secretary — Peggy Furman, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp, East Hanover, N.J.; and Immediate Past President — Sue Jones, Boston Scientific, Marlborough, Mass.

The association’s 2008-2009 directors are:
Sheree Budrecki, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Plainsboro, N.J.;
Barbara Charbonneau, CMP, St. Jude Medical, Inc., Austin, Texas;
Dan Foley, Freeman, St. Paul, Minn.;
David Kent, MEDRAD, Inc., Indianola, Pa.;
Geri-Dee Shaffer, Aesculap, Inc., Center Valley, Pa.; and
Patricia Whitaker, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Rosemont, Ill.

The association’s 2008–2010 directors are:
Joseph Agnese, Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Princeton, N.J.;
Everton Cranston, Pfizer, Inc., New York;
Cynthia M. Holloway, Covidien, North Haven, Conn.;
Betsy Wadas, CME/H, Roche, Nutley, N.J.; and
Janie Ward, CME/H, Abbott, Abbott Park, Ill.

The association’s 2008–2009 appointed directors are:
Susan Huff, Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis;
David Perkins, Champion Exposition Services, Jacksonville, Fla.; and
Kevin Wohlfort, American Urological Association, Linthicum, Md.

HCEA is the only association solely dedicated to improving the effectiveness of all conventions, meetings and exhibitions for the healthcare industry.  HCEA represents nearly 700 member organizations involved in healthcare exhibitions and conventions.