FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Kelly Schulz or Jenn Lotz
New Orleans CVB
504-566-5019
kschulz@neworleanscvb.com
jlotz@neworleanscvb.com

Two Major Medical City-Wide Conventions Sign Contracts, Bringing Additional
Big Business to New Orleans
Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and American Academy of Ophthalmology commit to New Orleans with plans to bring major city-wide conventions to the city in 2013 and 2017

NEW ORLEANS–July 22, 2009–New Orleans recently signed Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society in 2013 and American Academy of Ophthalmology in 2013 and 2017, confirming the city’s status as a premier meeting destination:

· March 3-7, 2013: In 2007, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) brought the first city-wide meeting of the year to New Orleans with an estimated 24,600 attendees, including 860 exhibitors. Founded in 1961, HIMSS is the healthcare industry's membership organization exclusively focused on providing global leadership for the optimal use of healthcare information technology (IT) for the betterment of healthcare. With more than 23,000 individual members and over 380 corporate members, HIMSS frames and leads healthcare public policy and industry practices through its advocacy, educational and development initiatives designed to promote information and managements systems' contributions to ensuring quality patient care.

· November 15-18, 2013 & November 10-13, 2017: The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) last visited New Orleans November 10-13, 2007, and estimated an attendance of more than 22,000. AAO consists of more than 7,000 international members making it the largest membership association of Eye M.D.s. Eye M.D.s are ophthalmologists, medical and osteopathic doctors who provide comprehensive eye care, including medical, surgical and optical care.

“The City of New Orleans graciously hosted and welcomed all of our attendees of the Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition in 2007,” said R. Norris Orms, HIMSS executive vice president and COO. “Our plan to return in 2013 reflects our confidence in the city, the excellent convention facilities and its exciting collection of hotels. We again look forward to enjoying New Orleans’ genuine hospitality, its great cuisine, and exciting music and entertainment.”

Debra Rosencrance, vice president of meetings and exhibits for AAO said, “The Academy is excited to be returning to New Orleans again as it’s always been one of our favorite cities to meet. The convention center and its staff are world-class which makes the planner’s job so easy. And our attendees love the fact that the hotels and fabulous restaurants are all within walking distance.”

The 2013 meetings will coincide with New Orleans hosting other high-profile conventions including the American Chemical Society, American Society of Neurological Surgeons, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Dental Association and the American Society for Cell Biology. The Crescent City will also welcome thousands of sports enthusiasts to the city in 2013 for major events including the NCAA Women’s Final Four and the highly-anticipated Super Bowl XLVII.

Stephen Perry, president and CEO of the New Orleans CVB said, “There are so many factors that determine a group’s decision to meet in a destination, and with our delectable cuisine, unbeatable jazz, hospitable staff, world-class meeting facilities and an award-winning team of sales, services and marketing professionals at the CVB, New Orleans contains all the elements necessary to ensure a successful meeting.”

Perry continued, “New Orleans not only has been chosen as the host of the 2012 NCAA Men’s Final Four and the 2013 NCAA Women’s Final Four, but we have also gained the trust and commitment of the NFL’s premier event, the Super Bowl, in 2013. We believe that the recent addition of these prominent medical associations to New Orleans’ growing list of future conventions only solidifies the city’s reputation as a world-class destination for hospitality, tourism, meetings, conventions and special events.”

The signing of these major city-wide conventions follows a very successful Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Annual Meeting January 11-14, 2009, where New Orleans was given the opportunity to showcase its convention industry to more than 3,000 of the world’s top meeting planners. In addition to a follow-up survey in which 98 percent of respondents indicated that they were pleased with the overall New Orleans experience, the commitment of HIMSS and AAO further solidifies the successes of PCMA.

Consistently recognized as one of the top five convention and visitor bureaus in the United States, The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau is the driving force behind New Orleans' most important industry, tourism. Today the cultural riches, sensual indulgences and unparalleled service that define the New Orleans experience continue to flourish, as they have for centuries. The most celebrated and historic core of the city - including the French Quarter, Central Business District, Warehouse and Arts District, Magazine Street, the Faubourg Marigny and Garden District - are thriving. In 2008 New Orleans welcomed 7.6 million visitors, an increase over 2007 visitor levels of 7.1 million people. For more information, visit www.neworleanscvb.com.

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