Una Kilberg, CMP, Meeting Services Manager for the Oncology Nursing Society, based in Pittsburgh, PA, who has held meetings in Orlando before and believes that the destination has helped boost attendance in the past, says, "We are anxious to see how this year's meeting will do." The ONS 40th Annual Congress expects 4,500–5,000 attendees__including exhibitors. The event is tailored to oncology nurses that represent a wide spectrum from bedside to research, to learn the latest developments in oncology nursing and to network with their peers.
Florida Hospital Nicholson Center at Lake Nona Medical City
"One of the things we look for in a destination is walkability. Orlando has that. We don't have to hire shuttle busses for our group. We like to stay near the Convention Center, which has a diversity of hotels so our attendees can use their (hotel) points. Lift to Orlando is another factor, as there's a high concentration of attendees from the East Coast and about 200 attendees fly in internationally. For the international contingency, Florida Hospital's Nicholson Center will host a tour of their oncology unit. "This gives them an opportunity to see different facilities in the United States. We take groups on facility tours to locations a short distance away in the mornings so they can be back to the conference by noon," Kilberg says. With the help of Visit Orlando, a restaurant desk located in the Convention Center will be coordinating a "meet and greet" dinner reservation. "We've done this at other conferences and it's great for nurses who travel alone to network with other nurses," Kilberg says.
For more information, visit OrlandoMeeting.com or call 800-362-4424 to discuss opportunities for your next meeting.