Houston Will Host 2025 ACHE Congress Bringing More than 5,000 Healthcare Leaders to City

Announcement marks latest in a series of medical and life sciences conference wins for Houston

"Houston fits our aspirations to grow our signature event - engaging thousands of healthcare's top leaders in a venue that is optimal for learning, is easy to navigate, and preserves the `community' feel for which Congress is known," said Deborah Bowen, FACHE, CAE, President and CEO of ACHE. "An added benefit is that Houston is also home to an internationally renowned healthcare hub and is centrally located geographically to make travel convenient for our attendees. Hosting ACHE's annual meeting is an extraordinary opportunity for our leaders and for Houston and we have many exciting ideas already in the works to ensure an outstanding experience."

With more than 5,400 attendees, the 2024 ACHE Congress was a sold-out success. Organizers hope that the move to Houston will enable even more industry professionals to attend in 2025.

"We're honored that ACHE has chosen to hold their 2025 Congress in Houston," said Michael Heckman, President and CEO of Houston First Corporation, the regional destination marketing organization that booked the conference. "We believe the group's decision is a testament to Houston's deep bench of talent and infrastructure in health care and life sciences. Our team looks forward to helping make this ACHE's best Congress ever."

The ACHE announcement builds off other recent medical and life sciences meeting wins for Houston. In 2022, Houston hosted the American Dental Association at the GRB with nearly 9,900 attendees. Last year brought several major gatherings including the American Association of Physicists in Medicine with 3,200 attendees, the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists with 3,200 attendees, and the Society for Microbiology with 5,500 attendees. Later this year, Houston will host Advancing Transfusion and Cellular Therapies Worldwide with 5,000 attendees expected, American Academy of Physicians Assistants with 6,000 attendees and Associated Professional Sleep Societies with 5,500 attendees.

Over the last two years, Houston First has booked 91 healthcare and medical-related meetings. In 2023 alone, 53 such conferences and events were booked, an increase of 39% over 2022.

Heckman said the presence of the Texas Medical Center-at 50 million square feet the world's largest healthcare complex-coupled with extensive academic and clinical research activity make Houston an ideal hub for meetings in the sector. "We have made medical and life sciences conferences a focus of our sales strategy, leveraging one of our city's core industry strengths and giving organizers access to incredible local talent as both expert presenters and participants."

Houston has one of the largest concentrations of healthcare professionals in the country, including more than 12,200 medical doctors, 58,000 nurses and more than 115,000 healthcare support professionals.

And as a hub for medical device manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and health research, the Houston region is home to more than 15,400 life science and biotech researchers, according to data from the Greater Houston Partnership. More than 1,990 clinical trials were active in the Houston region as of mid-year 2023, representing more than 20% of all trials in the U.S. In 2022, Houston medical institutions and life science firms received $963.1 million in National Institutes of Health grant funding, an increase of more than 11% from 2020.

About Houston First Corporation

Houston First Corporation (HFC) is a local government corporation and the official destination marketing organization for the country's fourth largest city. In addition to serving as operator for the George R. Brown Convention Center and some of Houston's most prominent art, entertainment, and event venues, HFC is focused on promoting the city's vibrancy and rich tapestry of culture. By harnessing the city's collective energy, ambition, and creativity, including its diverse culinary scene, world-renowned performing arts, medical and space innovation, and elite filming locations, HFC is solidifying Houston as a premier national and global destination. For the latest news and info regarding HFC, visit www.houstonfirst.com.

About the American College of Healthcare Executives

The American College of Healthcare Executives is an international professional society of more than 49,000 healthcare executives who lead hospitals, healthcare systems and other healthcare organizations. ACHE's mission is to advance our members and healthcare management excellence. ACHE offers its prestigious FACHEŽ credential, signifying board certification in healthcare management. ACHE's established network of 76 chapters provides access to networking, education and career development at the local level. In addition, ACHE is known for its magazine, Healthcare Executive, and its career development and public policy programs. Through such efforts, ACHE works toward its vision of being the preeminent professional society for leaders dedicated to improving health. The Foundation of the American College of Healthcare Executives was established to further advance healthcare management excellence through education and research. The Foundation of ACHE is known for its educational programs-including the annual Congress on Healthcare Leadership, which draws more than 5,000 participants-and groundbreaking research. Its publishing division, Health Administration Press, is one of the largest publishers of books and journals on health services management including textbooks for college and university courses.

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