MLA '08: Information for Exhibitors and Vendors

Who We Are

MLA '08 is owned and operated by the Medical Library Association (MLA). The MLA annual meeting is the premier event for health information professionals around the world. Through its programs and services, MLA provides lifelong educational opportunities, supports a knowledgebase of health information research, and works with a global network of partners to promote the importance of quality information for improved health to the health care community and the public.

Who Attends

Your exhibit can become a valuable part of the meeting experience for more than 2,000 library leaders. Fifty percent of attendees work in libraries with annual budgets between $600,000 and more than $1.5 million.

• 86% of attendees have a role in purchasing products exhibited at the annual meeting.
• 45% of attendees find a new vendor to do business with as a result of the time they spend in the exhibits.
• 53% of attendees use demonstrations and information
  they have seen in the Hall of Exhibits to influence
  purchasing plans.
  
  
• Attendees are a cross-section of decision makers:
  • Librarian/information specialist 45%
  • Directors 25%
  • Department heads 16%
  • Associate/assistant directors 10%
  • Others 4%
• Attendees work in several environments:
  • Academic medical centers/medical schools 46%
  • Hospitals 28%
  • Specialty medical libraries 7%
  • Government agencies 7%
  • Other 12%
• Attendees authorize the purchase of a wide range of products and services:
  • CD-ROM products 7%
  • Computer hardware & software 19%
  • Data-retrieval systems 17%
  • Database services 68%
  • Films & videotapes 7%
  • Health organizations 21%
  • Integrated information systems 25%
  • Library furniture 5%
  • Online services 64%
  • Preservation materials 6%
  • Publications 50%
  • Subscription services 27%
  • Other 17%

Traffic Builders

The exhibit hall is an exciting place for meeting attendees. It is there that decision makers in the medical library community search for the best in products, services, and technology to help them find the tools they need to prepare themselves and their workplaces for the future.

Many breaks are scheduled over the course of the MLA meeting, and featured areas of the exhibit hall are designed to draw attendees to exhibits throughout the day. Featured areas include:

• Internet café
  Available to all attendees to check email or explore Internet resources.
• Poster sessions
  An expanded schedule gives meeting attendees more opportunities to view the poster displays. Set in a decorated area of the exhibit hall, poster sessions give attendees the opportunity to learn from their peers’ experiences implementing new programs and establishing new techniques.
• Technology showcase
  A theater-style setting near the exhibit floor is open for exhibitors to present their latest technology. Running throughout the day, these tech sessions are an important jumping-off point for meeting attendees to get a first look at the technology on the exhibit floor.

How We Can Help You

Your participation in the MLA exhibits is supported by an experienced exhibits management staff who are available to answer any questions you have about exhibiting. In addition to the Exhibitor Manual and a frequently asked questions guide, a periodic Exhibitor Update Newsletter will be emailed to all exhibitors to assist in the planning process and operation of exhibits.

Advertising and Promotional Opportunities

• Annual meeting programs
  The Preliminary Program is an invitation to attend MLA’s annual meeting. Your ad reaches the entire MLA membership as well as allied health information profession—approximately 6,000 prospects. Distributed onsite, the Official Program is the most up-to-date source of information for meeting attendees and is distributed to approximately 2,000 participants. It lists daily programs, a Hall of Exhibits map, and complete exhibitor listings.
• Advertising in associated publications
  • MLA News
  • Journal of the Medical Library Association
• Online sponsorships
  • E-newsletter, MLA-FOCUS
  • MLA ’08 Website
• Other opportunities
  • MLA ‘08 CD sponsorship
  • Hotel door drops
  • Hotel room key
  • Mailing list of preregistrants
  • Onsite newsletter advertising
  • Portfolio service

Contact: Barbara Redmond, Medical Library Association
65 East Wacker Place, Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60601-7246
312.419.9094 x26
fax 312.419.8950
www.marketing.mlanet.org

Exhibition Schedule

Space confirmations........................December 03, 2007
Exhibitor manual available...............Mid-February 2008
Exhibit installation............................May 15–17, 2008
Exhibit dates....................................May 17–20, 2008
Exhibit dismantling...........................May 20, 2008

To Reserve Exhibit Space

Contact: Marybeth Durkin, Sales Manager
Hall-Erickson, Exhibition Management
98 East Naperville Road
Westmont, IL 60559
Phone, 630.434.7779
fax, 630.434.1216

• Invitation to exhibit Get the information on this page in a handy PDF format.
• Exhibit space application Includes exhibit space rental costs, rules, and regulations
• Exhibit space floor plan Layout of booth space in the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Riverside Center
• Informal Meeting Space Application Schedule additional meetings at MLA '08
• Sponsor pledge form Support the meeting with your sponsorship of an event or product
• Corporate Partnership Information Support MLA and receive extra recognition
• Complimentary Exhibit Passes Invite your customers to visit the MLA '08 Hall of Exhibits
• Sunrise Seminar Application Conduct educational presentations for MLA attendees
• Technology Showcase Application Showcase products in a theater-style setting for up to 40 individuals
• Help lessen the impact of MLA '08 on the environment: Greening the Medical Library Association Annual Meeting: What Exhibitors Can Do

We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!