Why the World’s Largest Cancer Research Conference is Held Here

This year, from Dec. 6-10, 8,000 physicians and researchers from 90 countries will attend the 34th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. They will occupy rooms in 28 downtown hotels and meet at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

It’s been a long journey since 1978, when the First Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, with 141 delegates, met for a one-day event at a hotel near the San Antonio International Airport.

Symposium Director Rich Markow, of the Cancer Therapy and Research Center (CTRC) at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio (UTHSCSA), has a staff of three to help plan the event, which has a 14-month production cycle. The group is committed to meeting in San Antonio through 2020.

“There’s no doubt that the content of our conference helps to attract so many people, and our programs always elicit a great deal of interest,” Markow said. “We have leading authorities in breast cancer research and treatment and it’s international in scope.”

Local Hospitality Experts
and Central Location Are Key

In addition to excellent conference content, Markow is quick to say that the meeting’s location in San Antonio, and the expertise of the city’s hospitality industry play a major role in the meeting’s success.  

“I believe San Antonio is a big part of the attraction,” he said. “The work ethic of the people in the hospitality industry in this town is wonderful. They can’t do enough for you and take a personal interest in your event. They are flexible and willing to extend themselves to get you what you need. We have an unusually large number of first-rate service providers and vendors here, particularly the special events, catering and entertainment companies.”

Holding the symposium in December also works well. The city’s mild climate, affordable hotel rooms, walkable downtown and nearby River Walk, with shops and restaurants, leads to impromptu gatherings and networking that these leading scientists find invaluable.

“The city is so festive in December,” Markow added. “Our attendees love the holiday lights on the river.”

At least half of the symposium's attendees are from outside of the U.S. Bringing people to the city from around the world has become easier with the completion of a new airport terminal, Markow said. Also, about 130 domestic and international flights - with nonstop connections to 30 airports and same-plane to 66 - arrive daily at the airport, which is a 10 minute drive from a walkable downtown.

“San Antonio can easily handle an international crowd,” Markow said. “Downtown is compact and easy to get around. People are pretty surprised at all of the types of cuisine available, too.”

Ongoing Facility Improvements
Support Meeting Growth

Not only are many of the attendees from other countries, but so are many of the 120 reporters that cover the event.

“We do our best to facilitate proper coverage of the meeting,” Markow said. “We have a press room and hold two to three press conferences a day. We have everyone from general media, such as The Today Show, to specialized and web-based media.”

Markow gives credit for his event’s success to the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau and to Michael Sawaya, the city’s Director of Convention, Sports and Entertainment Facilities.   

“We’re very happy to see the work that’s been going on at the convention center,” he said of   recent renovations to improve meeting experiences. “The renovations certainly enhance every aspect of our event.”