First of all let me start by saying that I enjoyed the conference this year and I think all the presentations were great!
I do have a suggestion for next year:
It seems like the past few years I've attended that there are days where lunch is a problem. I feel for those speakers who have to rush through their presentation because it's lunch time. Then all the buyers (among everyone else at the hotel) is srcambiling to find some where to eat. I don't know about anyone else but I thought the prices at the Hilton were outrageous! Anyway my suggestion would be that PPO supplies lunch for the meetings. Maybe raise the registration fees a little so the cost of lunch would be covered. Maybe boxed lunches? Just a suggestion so everyone isn't rushing around and trying to make it back to the conference room in time for the next presentation.

Name of Facility: Mt. Carmel St. Ann's Hospital

City, State: Teaching

Years as a Buyer: 10

That would ok if there was vegan/vegitarian options provided. If not then some of us would still have to scramble.

I agree everything was waaaaay over priced at the Hilton and it's resteraunts sucked.

Name of Facility: Emanuel Medical Center

Years as a Buyer: 3

Boxed lunches...? I'd rather be on my own and I wouldn't want to pay an additional fee so someone else could eat a boxed lunch. I enjoyed the different restaurants in the hotel and liked having some down time in between meetings to get up and move around. There were several inexpensive places to eat and the buffet was great (and decent priced, $13.99 for lunch).

Ah, the fun of having 400 different opinions :)

Years as a Buyer: 2

I know some mornings there is breakfast served so maybe they could just switch it up one day and have lunch served? That way the registration fee wouldn't rise. (that was my bosses suggestion)
I agree that it's nice to get up and move around but I did feel rushed for lunch somedays. (not just this year but years prior)
Although you may feel $13.99 is a decent price for lunch, others may not think so.
I felt for Richard Ponder who basically rushed through his presentation so everyone had time for lunch.
It was just a suggestion so the speakers and attendess didn't feel rushed.

Name of Facility: Mt. Carmel St. Ann\'s Hospital

City, State: Teaching

Years as a Buyer: 10

I agree the price for food at the Hilton seemed a bit steep, food at the LV Airport was cheapier! But the reason we had to move to a larger venue was due to growth, which is a very good thing. Now that we know what to expect from the Hilton perhaps we can plan somewhat better for next year both personally and for those who help coordinate the conference.

Name of Facility: Providence Specialty Pharmacy Services

City, State: Home Services and Self Injectables

Years as a Buyer: 10