PHL Life Sciences Presents American Association of Cancer Research and Dr. Margaret Foti the Ultimate Solution Award

PHL Life Sciences, a business development division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, presented the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and its CEO, Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), with the fifth annual Ultimate Solution Award on September 14 at the National Constitution Center.

This distinct recognition is extended to an individual or organization who has raised Philadelphia’s profile as a life sciences destination.

Dr. Foti and AACR were selected for the contributions they have made to the field of cancer research and the significant economic impact generated by the association’s meetings and conventions. Headquartered in Philadelphia, AACR is the first and largest cancer research organization in the world.

Some of Philadelphia’s most notable business leaders were in attendance to celebrate the growth of AACR under Dr. Foti’s leadership, not only within the field of cancer research but also the Philadelphia community.

Speakers included chairman of Keating Consulting and cancer survivor, Daniel J. Keating III, co-chair of PHL Life Sciences and life sciences industry leader David King, and City Representative Sheila Hess, who presented Dr. Foti with a Tribute from the City of Philadelphia and Mayor Jim Kenney.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary as PHL Life Sciences, this business development division works to bring life sciences and health care related meetings and conventions to Philadelphia. The division was originally created in 1988 as the Greater Philadelphia Health Care Congress and expanded in 2006 to include Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware as marketing partners.

The PHLCVB has 378 life science meetings and conventions booked for future years, which will translate to 2.1 million hotel room nights and over $2.8 billion estimated economic impact.

AACR is a great example of this work. In 2015, AACR held its annual meeting in Philadelphia which attracted more than 19,000 attendees and generated more than 36,000 hotel room nights with an economic impact of nearly $51 million.

Former Ultimate Solution Award recipients include Cephalon, Dr. Russel Kaufman, Joan Randolph and Mayor Michael Nutter.