Conventions

Mar. 17-20, 2012. ABRF stands for the Association of Biomolecular Resources Facilities, and it claims to be the premier forum for biomolecular technologies and implementing biomolecular techniques in core facilities.  Keynote speakers included a founder participant in the Human Genome Project, a director of the Yeast Resource Center, and the man behind the development of Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry.  The ABRF announced the creation of an award to recognize Dr. Marjorie A. Tingle’s special contributions to the mission of the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities, through her dedicated service at NIH over more than 36 years;  the Special Lifetime Contribution Award was presented to Dr. Tingle at the 2012 annual meeting.

Mar. 11-15, 2012. It’s no use producing meds if they don’t get to where they are needed.  HDMA is the Healthcare Distribution Management Association, and it represents primary healthcare distributors, the so-called “vital link” between the nation’s pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers. Each business day, HDMA member companies ensure that nearly nine million prescription medicines and healthcare products are delivered safely and efficiently to nearly 200,000 pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and others nationwide. Nearly 87 percent of prescription medicines sold in the United States are stored, managed and delivered by HDMA member companies, on the way from manufacturers to pharmacy settings.  It adds a whole new dimension to “taking your meds”…

Mar. 12-15, 2012. The Cruise Shipping Miami brings together the international cruise industry to launch new products, unveil innovative new services, meet cruise industry buyers and attend conferences covering cruise-related topics.  The recent recession was not kind to the industry, and selling off unsold cabin inventory has been a topic for heated debate, with some arguing that deep discounting was damaging the market’s image and profitability.  Other topics were shipbuilding, repair, and refurbishment, terminal design and operations, regulatory issues, crew-recruitment, shore excursions and port services, overall industry development, plus new industry shifts to markets like Asia.  The conference fielded expert panels and speakers including cruise line CEO’s and cruise industry leaders.  Now, who’s in charge of rearranging the deck-chairs?

Mar. 11-14, 2012. The full association title is IAADFS.  The International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores is an international trade association of approximately 450 company members that was originally founded in 1966.  The association is involved in the duty free market, and is also the organizer of the Duty Free Show of the Americas, the industry’s annual tradeshow in Florida. The primary goals and objectives of IAADFS are to promote the airport duty free industry as an important segment of the international retail community, provide information on products and their duty free market potential, and serve as a collective voice in representing the airport duty free industry on common issues affecting the membership.  All you need is a sense of duty…

Mar. 01-03, 2012. The FESPA Americas print exhibition provided the USA, Central and South American region with a showcase of wide format digital, screen and textile printing innovations. With the new challenges the global print industry presents, print solution providers needed to revolutionize their thinking and innovate their business in order to take advantage of future growth opportunities.  FESPA Americas offered the chance to keep up-to-date with market trends, gain inspirational ideas to improve business, learn about new technologies and search for innovative products, equipment and suppliers to enhance print production.  This was a large format printing exhibition, from wide format and fabric digital printing to textile and silk screen printing.  All the fashion fit to print, in fact….