FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FEBRUARY 1, 2006

Kitty Ratcliffe
Executive Vice President
New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau
504-566-5034
kratcliffe@neworleanscvb.com

Amy Murphy
Senior Specialist, Media Relations
American College of Cardiology
800-253-4636
301-581-3476
amurphy@acc.org

American College of Cardiology Confirms New Orleans for 2007 Scientific Session

Conference to take place March 24-27, 2007

New Orleans, La. – The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has confirmed that it will hold its 56th Annual Scientific Session in New Orleans on March 24 – 27, 2007. The scientific session will include the second annual Innovation in Intervention: i2 Summit.

“We are delighted to reconfirm our commitment to New Orleans as the host city for our annual scientific meeting,” said Pamela. S. Douglas, M.D., F.A.C.C., president of the ACC. “New Orleans has always been a great venue for the world’s most prestigious cardiovascular scientific meeting, and we are confident that 2007 will be another great experience.”

Following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the ACC volunteer and staff leadership began a thorough examination of the city’s viability to host the Scientific Session and its anticipated 30,000 attendees. ACC staff members toured the area and confirmed that the ACC meeting activities and requisite hotels were located in areas that escaped flooding — the central Business District and the French Quarter.

Many restaurants, shops and hotels are already back in business, and essential services have been fully restored. “We realize that many sections of the city have suffered tremendous damage, and we hope that by reaffirming our commitment to the city, we can lead by example, providing resources that are vital to the city’s overall rebuilding effort,” added Douglas.

New Orleans has committed to providing a flawless experience that will meet ACC members’ highest standards. The ACC is confident that the city will be prepared to welcome its Annual Scientific Session, ACC.07, and Innovation in Intervention: i2 Summit in 2007.

“We were thrilled to get the news from the ACC that they are committed to holding the Annual Scientific Session in New Orleans,” said Kitty Ratcliffe, executive vice president of the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB). “The city will be ready to deliver on the experience that ACC attendees have to come to expect in New Orleans, a city whose food, culture and architecture are second to none in the United States.”

About New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB)
Since 1960, the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau
(www.neworleanscvb.com) has been the driving force behind New Orleans' most
important industry, attracting $4.9 billion to the region annually. Nationally recognized for superior customer service, NOMCVB represents over 1,200 members and provides convention services and visitor information for business travelers and vacationers. Last year, the NOMCVB welcomed a record-breaking 10.1 million visitors to one of America's favorite meeting and leisure destinations. The NOMCVB is committed to rebuilding the city of New Orleans.

About the American College of Cardiology (ACC)
The American College of Cardiology is leading the way to optimal cardiovascular care and disease prevention. The College is a 33,000-member nonprofit medical society and bestows the credential Fellow of the American College of Cardiology upon physicians who meet its stringent qualifications. The College is a leader in the formulation of health policy, standards and guidelines, and is a staunch supporter of cardiovascular research. The ACC provides professional education and operates national registries for the measurement and improvement of quality care.