ATLANTA —Karen Prieto, Director, Convention Marketing & Meeting Services, Forest Laboratories, Inc., New York, was named President of the Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association (HCEA) for 2008-2009.  Prieto was officially installed as HCEA President during the HCEA 2008 Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, June 21-24, 2008.

Prieto’s experience spans more than 12 years in healthcare exhibiting and marketing.  Currently, she is responsible for the development and execution of convention/exhibit programs and meeting services for Forest Laboratories, where she has worked for the last seven years.  Prieto’s healthcare career began with Howmedica in 1995, followed by time spent at Daiichi Pharmaceuticals and Aventis Pharmaceuticals.  

During her acceptance speech at the HCEA Annual Meeting, Prieto said, “HCEA focuses on the face of the healthcare industry that the professional sees.  We provide an environment for the personal encounters that happen less frequently in the doctors’ offices.  We bring education, resources and opportunities for questioning to the places where healthcare professionals are sure to be: and that’s on the convention floor.”

CEA 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.