Industry Growth Triggers Upward Trends for SMI

Attendance - and industry interest - continued to climb at the Society for Molecular Imaging (SMI) Annual Meeting, held Aug. 29 - Sept. 2 in Hawaii. Despite an anticipated attendance drop both in 2005 because of the overseas location and in 2006 because of added time and cost involved in travel to Hawaii, both meetings generated higher attendance and abstract submission.

The number of student participants in the meeting has grown substantially in recent years. SMI boosted those numbers in part with generous travel stipends: The association awarded $500 stipends to 74 students based on abstract submission in 2006, as well as granted three $1,000 awards. With an increased interest in molecular imaging by radiologists and other clinical doctors, the meeting also saw a greater proportion of physician participants this year.

Held at a Hawaiian resort immediately before Labor Day, family vacations factored heavily into the meeting's success. Room pickup finished at more than 100 percent over the original block, with the numbers largely attributed to nights before and after the block.

"To be sure we didn't lose participants at the industry-sponsored social events, we made sure the functions were family friendly," said Joan Oefner, CAE, SMI's executive director.

The conference hotel, the Hilton Waikoloa Village, contributed its own family-friendly policy, with children under the age of six admitted free to functions and reduced prices for children up to the age of 17. 

New Awards Illustrate Broad Industry Options for PSA  

More than 650 scientists gathered at the Poultry Science Association's (PSA) annual meeting, held July 16-19 at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. The meeting spotlighted the size and complexity of the behind-the-scenes research efforts of the poultry industry. The awards banquet also drew attention to a number of top scientists and top contributors to the industry.

While the association presents annual awards for achievements in science, teaching, and recruitment, the 2006 awards banquet marked the presentation of honorary membership awards to Bo Pilgrim of Pilgrim Foods and Don Tyson of Tyson Foods - the first time industry leaders have been recognized as PSA honorary members.

By doing so, the scientific association took a step toward expanding the scope of the organization as well as allowing students to get a sense of the range of opportunities in the field. "It was moving to have these industry leaders connecting with the students," said James Kessler, PSA's executive director. "Both men reached out to the students present, urging them to continue their efforts in poultry science, and pointing out the great opportunities available for them in the industry."

SPECIAL REPORT
New Convention District Rejuvenates Kansas City

A new downtown convention district has paid off with a jump in convention numbers for Kansas City. In 2006, the city will host just half the major conventions that it hosted during its peak in 1997, but things are looking up for future years.

"Kansas City fell behind other cities in terms of the product we had to offer as other cities built bigger convention centers and revitalized their downtowns," said Bill Bohde, vice president of convention sales for the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association. "But we're opening an all new walkable downtown convention district in 2007, and as a result, we are seeing some great years going forward."

The new convention district includes a new 46,450-square-foot ballroom at the Kansas City Convention Center, one of the 10 largest convention center ballrooms in the country. A new nine-block downtown entertainment district will offer dining, shopping, and nightlife, as well as a new 18,500-seat downtown arena. Both are scheduled to open in fall 2007. Convention attendees will also find new and renovated downtown hotels, as well as major new attractions throughout the city.

Demand and commitments are up significantly for 2007 and bookings are ahead of pace for future years. By 2010, Kansas City expects to return to its record-high convention and occupancy numbers of 1997.