international congress and convention association international association overview ross robinson...

International Congress and Convention Association

International AssociationOverview

Ross Robinson

44th ICCA Congress & Exhibition, Monday, November 7th, 2005.

iccaworld.com

International Association Overview

1. An example

2. Changing the model

3. Trends

International Association OverviewAn Example

• World Federation of Hemophilia established in 1963

• Organization dedicated to improving Hemophilia care world wide

• 75% of people in the world have no or little medical care

• Medical congress every two year

•Exhibit

•Plenary

•Scientific sessions – with CME credits

•Industry symposium

International Association Overview

Purpose:

•Transfer of knowledge

•Face to face discussion and exchange

International Association Overview

•Making money

Growing an opportunityGrowth

graph with 1996-2004 #s

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

340 300 259 233 210 194 180 164 150 134 120 113 104 90 76 60 46 30 14 7 0

Days Out

Num

ber

of D

eleg

ates

1998 2000 2002 2004Represents Early

Registration

Organization changes to meet challenges• Open bid process with criterion

•Industry is a partner

•Doctors are given funds and choose to attend

• National organization bid on privilege to host and organize meeting

•Industry is treated as a client

•Most delegates were invited and hosted by industry

Then Now

Organization changes to meet challenges• WFH developed in-house meeting planning and staff hired for:

• registration• exhibit• program development• marketing • coordination

• Local PCO hired to organize

Then Now

Organization changes to meet challenges

• Greater control over finances

• Burnt by previous suppliers who lacked transparency

•Building long term relationships with:

•Speakers

•Delegates

•Sponsors

•Consistency of meeting, Association owns it, not assembly line PCO

•Efficiency, no training of new staff

Why?

Organization changes to meet challenges

• Need for local assistance•To work with suppliers•To organize on-site hosting needs

• Out sourcing technical roles•Information Technology - IT•Registration and database management

Lessons learned

Organization changes to meet challenges

• Room block management, why do it?• Industry role, how to stay ethical?• Role of technology, web casting?• Increasing costs (fuel surcharges) and its impact on attendance

• In addition, Global meetings have a big challenge in managing local committee expectations

Questions

Regional meeting • Have appeal but limited in specialty areas• Overcome language challenges• Reduce travel costs

• Less knowledge to exchange• Less sponsorship opportunities• More local control• Less scientific worthiness

Competitive factors for global meetings

Getting the right balance for the audience

• Science vs. clinical issues

• Web casting and electronic distribution of content

Specific challenges of International Medical meetings

•Pharmaceutical sponsorship

•Keeping the meeting balanced

•Client marketing activities stealing the show

•Working with the rules•Medical association -- AMA •Teaching and accreditation – CME •Drug marketing -- FDA•Industry voluntary codes – PhRMA

Specific challenges of International Medical meetings

The new code makes it crystal clear that the interactions of company sales representatives with healthcare professionals are to benefit patients and enhance the practice of medicine,” said PhRMA President Alan F. Holmer.  “It explicitly spells out that all interactions should be focused on informing healthcare professionals about products, providing scientific and educational information, and supporting medical research and education.”

July 2002, code revised January 2004

Specific challenges of International Medical meetings

Content

• Still number one concern

Location

• Easy to get to

• Cost

• Safety; terror and health risks

perception vs. reality

Audience building

• Destination appeal

• Science vs. clinical issues

• Right audience mix:

•Patients

•Doctors

•Specialists

•paraprofessionals

Audience building

PCO•Transparency, honesty & flexibility•Modular services•Longer term relationships

Convention centers •Offer menu of services•Help make it simple

Partnership with suppliers

We all face the challenge of keeping global

meetings attractive.

Partnership

International Congress and Convention Association

Thank you

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