Hurricane Update: Shows Relocate and More Funds Are Raised to Help Victims
Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 10/3/2005
Two more 2006 shows scheduled for New Orleans have moved — these to Chicago's McCormick Place.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Meeting & Exhibition were to take place at New Orleans' Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, which is closed through March 31. The AAOS show, previously scheduled March 8–12, will take place March 22–26 at the venue. No. 102 on the Tradeshow Week 200, the show is expected to attract approximately 28,000 attendees. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons show will keep its same dates Jan. 30–Feb. 1, but at McCormick Place. The show is expected to attract approximately 5,000 attendees.
The Advertising Specialty Institute, producer of The ASI Show!, recently raised $259,359 for the American Red Cross' Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and has sent five tons of needed goods to Alabama. The group launched the drive with a $25,000 matching gift challenge.
Chicago hotels have agreed to a $10/room/night rebate for business booked at McCormick Place as a result of Hurricane Katrina with funds directed at recovery efforts.
Hilton Hotels has established the Hilton Employee Relief Fund to collect funds to distribute to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. The corporation has made an initial contribution of $2 million.
Hilton is also waiving group cancellation damages for meetings through Dec. 31 at hotels in the New Orleans area and Gulf Coast of Mississippi.
In addition, members of the Hilton HHonors guest reward program can contribute to the American Red Cross hurricane relief effort by donating their Hilton HHonors points. Each donation of 10,000 points represents a $25 donation.
An audiovisual firm, Las Vegas-based DAV Productions, will donate a portion of its profits from all relocated conventions and meetings originally scheduled in New Orleans.
