FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
Kelly Schulz
New Orleans CVB
504-566-5019
kschulz@neworleanscvb.com

Erica Papillion
New Orleans CVB
504-566-5019
epapillion@neworleanscvb.com

Joyce Lofstrom
HIMSS
972-687-9226
jlofstrom@himss.org

First City-Wide Convention of 2007 a Success!
Healthcare Information Management Systems Society had an attendance of 24,600; visit helped allay concerns about city’s readiness to host large-scale events

NEW ORLEANS – March 21, 2007 – The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB) is pleased to announce that the recent Healthcare Information Management Systems Society’s (HIMSS) annual convention was a success.

  • The HIMSS meeting was in New Orleans February 25-March 2, 2007.
  • With 24,600 attendees in the city, it was the largest meeting to date in 2007.
  • This year, HIMSS had 884 exhibitors—a record breaking number.
  • Last year’s convention had 860 exhibitors.
  • The HIMSS annual convention brought some visitors to New Orleans that were skeptical about the city’s progress, but once here, they were pleasantly surprised to find New Orleans a spectacular host, more than capable of accommodating their gathering.
  • According to a front-page story in the Times-Picayune March 1, HIMSS conventioneers gave glowing reviews during their stay in the city, saying that their negative preconceptions about New Orleans and its ability to handle large numbers of visitors was “inaccurate.”

“HIMSS found the city of New Orleans ready to welcome all attendees of the 2007 Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition,” said H. Stephen Lieber, HIMSS president and CEO. “We know that the city continues to grow and thrive as tourism and professional conferences return to the city. All of us at HIMSS appreciated the preparation of the city for HIMSS07 and were proud to be a part of its rebirth.”

The HIMSS organization made several trips to New Orleans over the past year and a half and with each visit, they were more and more convinced that the city could accommodate their members.

“We are so pleased that HIMSS enjoyed its time in New Orleans,” said Stephen Perry, president and CEO of the NOMCVB. “New Orleans prides itself in its ability to attract and host special events that bring large numbers of visitors and the success of HIMSS proves once again that New Orleans is open and ready for business.”

The HIMSS convention is the latest in a string of successful events in New Orleans. Meetings for organizations such as Whirlpool and Meeting Professionals International, along with the economic boost of Mardi Gras, illustrate what those who have visited the city already know: The New Orleans visitor experience is alive and well.

The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.neworleanscvb.com) is the driving force behind New Orleans' most important industry, tourism, which generates $5 billion in visitor spending and creates 85,000 jobs. 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 and Garden District - not only remains intact, both physically and spiritually, but is thriving. The New Orleans CVB is proudly welcoming visitors and business travelers every day.

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) is the healthcare industry's membership organization exclusively focused on providing global leadership for the optimal use of healthcare information technology (IT) and management systems for the betterment of healthcare. Founded in 1961 with offices in Chicago, Washington D.C., Brussels, and other locations across the United States and Europe, HIMSS represents more than 20,000 individual members and over 300 corporate members that collectively represent organizations employing millions of people. HIMSS frames and leads healthcare public policy and industry practices through its advocacy, educational and professional development initiatives designed to promote information and management systems’ contributions to ensuring quality patient care.

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