FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2008

American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Convenes in New Orleans
February 19-22, 2008
First of two American Heart Association conventions New Orleans will host in 2008

WHAT: American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference and State-of-the-Art Stroke Nursing Symposium

WHERE: Morial Convention Center-New Orleans, Halls A-B

WHEN: State-of-the-Art Stroke Nursing Symposium: Tuesday, February 19, 2008

International Stroke Conference: Wednesday, February 20-Friday, February 22, 2008

DETAILS: AHA/ASA is the first organization in the healthcare industry to bring two major meetings to

New Orleans in the same year since 2005. The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is: “Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.” The American Stroke Association is the division of the American Heart Association that's solely focused on reducing disability and death from stroke through research, education, fund raising and advocacy. The American Heart Association created the American Stroke Association after many years of increasing emphasis on stroke.

The International Stroke Conference (ISC) is a two-and-a-half day conference which features over 800 presentations highlighting the most recent advances in cerebral circulation and brain function, clinical stroke research and outcomes, rehabilitation science and surgery. Over 70 exhibits will showcase the latest in stroke prevention, treatment and outcomes. Approximately 3,000 people are expected to attend.

AHA’s Annual Scientific Sessions is slated for New Orleans, November 9-12, 2008, with a projected professional attendance of 19,000 and total attendance of more than 27,500. Together, both conferences are projected to bring millions of dollars in economic impact.

CONFERENCE WEBSITE: www.strokeconference.org

TO OBTAIN PRESS CREDENTIALS: ISC Press Office: Hall B, Room 217, Morial Convention Center-New Orleans, 504-670-7908, Tuesday 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

ISC: Bridgette McNeill, 504-670-7908, bridgette.mcneill@heart.org

New Orleans CVB: Kelly Schulz, 504-421-0962, kschulz@neworleanscvb.com, Tara Letort, 504-566-5048, tletort@neworleanscvb.com or Mary Beth Romig, 504-606-8430, mbromig@neworleanscvb.com

Morial Convention Center-New Orleans: Rosalie Mortillaro, 504-582-3027, rmortillaro@mccno.com

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