Los Angeles Hosts Its Largest Medical Meeting

November 24, 2012

The recent American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions conference (AHA), held Nov. 3-7 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, broke a record as the largest medical meeting ever held in the city.

AHA attracted approximately 20,000 cardiovascular medical professionals from five continents and also was the second largest citywide convention overall in Los Angeles.

This year was a record year overall for medical conventions for Los Angeles with four shows, including American Association for Clinical Chemistry, American Academy of Periodontology, American Nurses Association and AHA. 

Together, the shows accounted for approximately 56,000 attendees, 96,000 total room nights and $126 million in estimated economic impact.

“Medical conventions are among the most coveted in the industry and LA is honored to earn the confidence of such an important show as AHA’s Scientific Sessions,” said Mark Liberman, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LA Tourism). 

He added, “The ongoing developments around the Los Angeles Convention Center in Downtown Los Angeles, especially the addition of the J.W. Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles and L.A. LIVE, and our position as a major international gateway, are making Los Angeles even more attractive to medical groups of all sizes.”

Fifty percent of AHA attendees at the Los Angeles show were from international destinations and stayed at more than 41 hotels in Los Angeles, including properties in downtown, Hollywood, West Los Angeles, Pasadena and around Los Angeles Airport LAX. 

Events took place at several venues, such as Dodger Stadium, ESPN Zone at L.A. LIVE and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Downtown Los Angeles.

This was the first time that AHA hosted Scientific Sessions in Los Angeles. 

Previously, AHA held its 2011 International Stroke Conference, with 5,000 attendees, in L.A. in February 2011 and has committed to bringing back the International Stroke Conference to the cityin 2016 and 2020.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here. New Wave Experiences Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024. Enhanced Technology Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space. Refreshing New Design & Fine Art The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights. Sustainable Spectacles Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles. The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.