Newswise — The American Association for Cancer Research held its 100th Annual Meeting in Denver, Colo., in April and drew more than 15,000 people from all over the world to network and learn about the latest breakthroughs in scientific cancer research. The economic impact on Denver and the surrounding area was approximately $26.7 million including $6 million on hotels and other lodging, $6 million on food and beverage and $5.5 million in direct costs paid by the AACR.
At 15,131 attendees, the 100th Annual Meeting was down slightly from the 2008 Annual Meeting in San Diego. However, Margaret Foti, Ph.D., M.D. (h.c.), CEO of the AACR, said the 2008 meeting was a record-breaking year that did not face the unique challenges of 2009. "The American Association for Cancer Research was able to hold a phenomenally successful Annual Meeting in a climate of economic uncertainty where cancer institutes and corporations are cutting travel budgets significantly," said Foti. "This speaks to the value of what we offer each year to cancer scientists and others who are interested in furthering the important goal of the prevention and cure of cancer."
Although overall attendance this year was down 13 percent from the record-breaking 2008 meeting, attendance by members of the AACR, the largest category, was down by only 1 percent. Non-members, a smaller category of attendees, were down 10 percent, for a total reduction in scientific attendance of only 8 percent. Despite the increased cost of international travel and the worldwide nature of the economic crisis, international attendance at the 100th Annual Meeting accounted for 23 percent of participants, which was an increase from the 20 percent international attendance at the 2008 Annual Meeting. The largest reduction in attendance came in a category that the AACR deemed "other attendees," which included a 19 percent drop in exhibitor attendance. Foti said this is typical of other medical meetings being held at this time and reflects an economic climate of restricted travel budgets at major medical companies.
"Cancer knows no boundaries and cancer research is a worldwide endeavor. The American Association for Cancer Research continues to lead the world in cancer science and medicine as evidenced by the strong international interest in our Annual Meeting," said Foti.
The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, AACR is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The membership includes more than 28,000 basic, translational and clinical researchers; health care professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and nearly 90 other countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise from the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer through high-quality scientific and educational programs. It funds innovative, meritorious research grants. The AACR Annual Meeting attracts more than 17,000 participants who share the latest discoveries and developments in the field. Special conferences throughout the year present novel data across a wide variety of topics in cancer research, treatment and patient care. The AACR publishes six major peer-reviewed journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention; and Cancer Prevention Research. The AACR also publishes CR, a magazine for cancer survivors and their families, patient advocates, physicians and scientists. CR provides a forum for sharing essential, evidence-based information and perspectives on progress in cancer research, survivorship and advocacy.
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