Meeting management firm Spargo has been on a hot streak recently, kicking off 2016 with several new business contracts signed, along with other companies that have added clients to their busy portfolios.

The International Council of Ophthalmology appointed SPARGO, Inc. as their exhibit and sponsorship sales and management firm for the 2018 World Ophthalmology Congress, on tap June 16-19 in Barcelona.  

This gathering of international ophthalmologists occurs every two years, attracting upwards of 15,000 attendees from more than 130 countries.

“One of the primary reasons we selected SPARGO is their extensive experience managing major healthcare association meetings,” said William C. Felch, Jr., ICO’s CEO.

He added, “With SPARGO, you will benefit from working with an experienced team of event management professionals who will partner with the International Council of Ophthalmology to recommend new initiatives and fresh ideas for the exhibit hall and corporate support opportunities associated with the WOC.”

The American Geophysical Union, based in Washington, D.C., also  appointed SPARGO as their meeting management services partner for their AGU Fall Meeting, along with several other mid- and small-size meetings, starting in 2016.

SPARGO will provide a full suite of services to AGU including: registration, lead retrieval, and housing services; exposition and sponsorship sales, marketing and management services and meeting logistics services.

Lauren Parr, AGU’s director of meetings said that “AGU is dedicated to improving our attendees’ event experiences and to creating new opportunities for the Earth and space community to engage around scientific meetings. SPARGO is an idea partner to support us in achieving those ambitious goals, and we are excited to be working with them.”

In March 2016, SPARGO will assume responsibility for the management of the AORN Surgical Conference & Expo.

The AORN Surgical Conference & Expo is the world’s largest gathering of perioperative registered nurses.

 In preparation for the 2017 onsite sales process, SPARGO and AORN will meet prior to the 2016 conference in Anaheim to develop a new floor plan meant to stimulate traffic through the exhibit hall and provide improved visibility of smaller exhibitors.

The exhibit hall will continue to host simulation theatres, a career fair, networking zones, and exhibitor provided education. The 2017 program will be held in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Northeast boasts the largest concentration of health care providers in the United States. Holding the conference in this region makes it affordable and convenient for both domestic and international perioperative nurses to attend.

Increased attendance and corporate support is anticipated following what promises to be a banner year in Anaheim.

Attendance is surging for this year’s conference where more than 400 companies will be exhibiting, 20 percent of which are new to the event this year.

 “We will focus on exhibitor satisfaction, improved ROI, and show growth. Our short and long term plans include the addition of an interactive product showcase available before, during, and after the event, and enhanced exposure for the exposition on the conference Web site,” said Susan Bracken, president and CEO at SPARGO.

SmithBucklin, an association management and services company, was chosen by The American Society of Extracorporeal Technology (AmSECT) to provide full-service association management.

SmithBucklin's Erin Butler will serve as AmSECT's executive director, and the society's headquarters will be in Chicago.

Founded in 1964, AmSECT is the largest professional society in the world for cardiopulmonary perfusionists. These healthcare professionals operate the machine that does the work of a patient's heart and lungs during a surgical procedure in which the heart is stopped.

AmSECT's mission is to foster improved patient care and safety by providing for the continuing education and professional needs of the extracorporeal circulation technology community. The society has more than 1,900 members throughout the world.

"We are impressed with the SmithBucklin team, particularly its principle-based philosophy and its dedication to supporting healthcare and scientific volunteer organizations," said Jeffrey B. Riley, MHPE, CCP, AmSECT's president.

He added, "We believe this new partnership will help us provide exemplary service to the society's members and meet our growth objectives to serve more members of the perfusion community."

Full-service sourcing, housing and event management company Connections Housing has been named the official housing partner for the Los Angeles Auto Show.

As part of the new partnership, Connections Housing will handle all housing needs for the 2016, 2017 and 2018 editions of the nation's biggest car buying market. With offices in Atlanta, Las Vegas and Washington, DC, and two full-service, fully-owned call centers, Connections will oversee all aspects of the housing process - from contracting and room block management to reservations and post-show analysis. 

"We are thrilled to partner with a leading housing provider that shares our commitment to delivering a high-touch level of customer service," said Terri Toennies, executive vice president and general manager, LA Auto Show.