The Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association recently wrapped up its one-day Healthcare Convention Marketing Summit Jan. 19 in Boston with sessions focusing on everything from the federal sunshine laws to using technology as a learning tool. The day kicked off with an opening general session, ﾓFrank Talk About How Physicians Value Medical Meetings and Conventionsﾔ, where people heard candid firsthand accounts of what healthcare professionals do and don't find effective in healthcare exhibitions. In addition, the discussion explored the healthcare professionals' reactions to marketing legislation that impacts how they can interact with exhibitors and gave attendees the opportunity to ask questions. The discussion was moderated by Christine Farmer, senior convention manager of Sanofi, and panelists included Dr. Beverly M.K. Biller, FACP, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Neuroendocrine Unit , Massachusetts General Hospital; Dr. Richard V. Aghababian, FACEP, Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, and President-Elect, Massachusetts Medical Society; and Ayguen Sahin, PhD, Instructor, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts School of Medicine. Attendees also had a choice between two morning breakouts, ﾓThe Master Plan: Shifting to a Strategic Marketing Mindsetﾔ, presented by Roger May, senior director of U.S. marketing, Siemens Health Services, and ﾓTechnology Mash-Up: Using Technology as a Learning Toolﾔ, presented by Laine Mann, senior manager, Pfizer U.S .Commercial Operations; Diane Benson, manager, conventions, GE Healthcare; Gregg Lapin, Director, division of meeting services, American Osteopathic Association; and Joe Federbush, vice president, sales & marketing, Exhibit Surveys and moderated by Chip Carman, global accounts director, Blue Telescope. The afternoon general session focused on transparency in healthcare exhibiting and highlighted labor practices, surcharges, zero balance sheets for associations, utilization and importance of exhibitors' advisory councils, as well as others related topics. Two afternoon breakout sessions included ﾓShedding Light on Sunshine: An Open Discussion about What the Law Means to Youﾔ that focused on how the law impacted healthcare exhibitors,and another session on trends in global exhibiting that included discussing recent regulatory changes outside of the U.S. Lastly, the final breakout session of the day – ﾓFair Market Value: Case Studies for Creating a Formula that Works for Youﾔ - helped healthcare exhibitors take a look at how to determine what shows were a good fit for their companies.