Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Downtown Partnering with National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) To Raise Awareness & Funds - $1 per Room Night Donated to NOCC This Weekend, February 17th & 18th

Philadelphia, PA – February 15, 2012 -- Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Downtown, one of Center City Philadelphia’s largest hotels, is partnering with a variety of charitable organizations throughout the 2012 calendar year to raise awareness and raise funds for worthy causes.

The first charitable partnership of 2012 for the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Downtown is the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC). 

The Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Downtown is donating $1 per room, on four dates over the months of January and February, including this upcoming weekend, Friday, February 17 and Saturday, February 18.  The hotel employees raised funds for NOCC through a 50/50 drawing earlier, and the front desk staff are wearing the NOCC’s color, teal, in their uniform.  Additionally, all of the staff at the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Downtown are supporting the cause by wearing teal pins and/or bracelets during the campaign. 

The hotel has prominent signage and displays throughout the building to raise awareness of NOCC, including cards in each guest room, display signage in the parking garage and throughout the lobby area and restaurants, as well as at the registration desk and the concierge desk. 

The mission of NOCC is to raise awareness and promote education about ovarian cancer. The Coalition is committed to improving the survival rate and quality of life for women with ovarian cancer. 

Kicking off the campaign for NOCC (from left to right):  Jessica Kramme, Sales Manager of the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Downtown; Wendy Lancaster Homer, Co-Chair of the NOCC Board of Directors; Michele Simpson, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Downtown; and David Barley, Chief Executive Officer of NOCC.

More than 20,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, and approximately 15,000 women die annually from the disease. Unfortunately, most cases are diagnosed in their later stages when the prognosis is poor. However, if diagnosed and treated early, when the cancer is confined to the ovary, the five-year survival rate is over 90 percent. That is why it is imperative that the early signs and symptoms of the disease are recognized, not only by women, but also by their families and the medical community. Through national programs and local Chapter initiatives, NOCC's goal is to make more people aware of the early symptoms of ovarian cancer. In addition, NOCC provides information to assist the newly diagnosed patient, to provide hope to survivors, and to support caregivers.  Additional information is available on the NOCC website at http://www.ovarian.org.

Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Downtown is located at 1800 Market Street in Center City Philadelphia, and gives business travelers and visiting guests the amenities and services they need for a productive trip including complimentary high-speed Internet access, a 24-hour business center and meeting space.  

With 445 guest rooms, the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Downtown boasts upgraded amenities in all Club Level rooms, as well as award winning service and a spacious new lobby.  The guest rooms feature plush bedding and fine furnishings, while the hotel also has a 24-hour onsite fitness center and access to the Philadelphia Sports Club, in-room dining and a full restaurant and bar in the lobby. 

Additional information about the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Downtown is available at http://www.cpphiladelphia.com/

Media Contact:

Jim DeLorenzo

215-564-1122

jim@jhdenterprises.com

The Schuylkill Navy 9th Annual Awards Banquet is Saturday, February 25th At Lloyd Hall on Philadelphia’s Historic Boathouse Row, Celebrating the Region’s Top Rowers & Coaches

Philadelphia, PA – February 14, 2012 – The Schuylkill Navy 9^th Annual Awards Banquet will be celebrated on Saturday, February 25^th at Lloyd Hall on Philadelphia historic Boathouse Row. 

A cocktail reception begins at 6 p.m. with dinner beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $60 for age 30 and over, $40 for under 30 guests.  Tickets are available online at http://tiny.cc/2rufx.

This year’s Schuylkill Navy Awards Banquet honors a number of outstanding individuals and coaches for their achievements during 2011, while serving as a “launch” for the 2012 season.  Among the honorees at this year’s banquet:

• Coach of the Year -- Michael Brown, Merion Mercy Academy;
• Masters of the Year -- Theresa Savard, Philadelphia Girlsʼ Rowing Club and Ted Trocky, Malta Boat Club;
• Athletes of the Year -- Megan Walsh and Catherine Reddick, Vesper Boat Club; Joe Spencer and Steve Kasprzyk, Penn Athletic Club; and Jason Read, Temple University & Penn Athletic Club.

Special guest Fred Duling will be also be at the banquet, signing copies of the new Boathouse Row Cookbook, which supports his rehabilitation.

The winner of the Duling Award for most miles rowed on the Schuylkill in 2011 is Vesper’s Matt Brown with 3,154 miles.

Founded in 1858, The Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia is the oldest amateur athletic governing body in the United States.  The Schuylkill Navy comprises the 12 clubs of Boathouse Row (in geographical order, East to West along Kelly Drive): Fairmount Rowing Association; Pennsylvania Barge Club; Crescent Boat Club; Bachelors Barge Club; University Barge Club; Malta Boat Club; Vesper Boat Club; College Boat Club; Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association; Undine Barge Club; Philadelphia Girls' Rowing Club; and Gillin Boat Club. The clubs share the river with Philadelphia Adaptive Rowing, dragon boats, canoes, and kayaks.   The Schuylkill Navy is also the organizers of the Philadelphia Classic Regatta Series, which brings together 20 previously independent rowing events in the first organized year-long series of rowing events of its kind in any major U.S. city. 

Among the notable award winners:

• Michael Brown from Merion Mercy Academy will be presented with The Schuylkill Navy Coach of the Year award.  Brown helped launch the school’s rowing program in 2005 as head coach, and under his direction the program has won 13 Philadelphia City Championship medals (six gold, five silver and two bronze); two Stotesbury Cup medals (both silver) and four Scholastic National Championship medals (one gold, two silver and two bronze).  Marion Mercy Academy finished second in the Philadelphia Scholastic Rowing Association point trophy in four consecutive seasons (2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.  Last season was one of Merion Mercy Academy’s most successful years, as the Varsity 4 was undefeated during the regular season, winning gold in Miami, Mercer and at the City Championships. At the 2011 Stotesbury Cup, Merion Mercy placed second but was the first U.S. crew to place.  Merion Mercy avenged their lone loss of the season by besting E L Crossley of Canada at the Scholastic National Championships on Memorial Day and then defeated The Ladies Hollis School of England for the Groton Cup at Henley’s Women’s Regatta on Father’s Day.
• Jason Reed, the women’s rowing head coach at Temple University, is one of only three rowers in history win Gold at the Under-23, Pan American and Olympic Games.  In 2011, he was selected to his 13th national team, and was the 2011 Pan American Team Captain and Flag Bearer, the first rower in history to be named the flag bearer for an Olympic or Pan American Games.  He was the Pan Am Gold medalist in the Men's Eight, and is the only NCAA Division I head coach currently actively training for the 2012 Olympics as a member of the United States national team.  He is a 2012 nominee for the AAU Sullivan Award which honors the nation's top amateur athlete. 

·         Megan Walsh (Vesper) and Catherine Reddick (Penn AC) both earned Silver and Bronze medals at the 2011 Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico as members of the US National Team competing in the Women’s 2x and Women’s 4x. 

·         Steve Kasprzyk (Penn AC) won the Pan Am Games trials in the 4-, was first in the Pan Am Games 8, fifth in the 4-, and second at the US East Coast speed orders in pair, which also earned him an invitation to the U.S. Olympic Eights selection camp under Philadelphia native, coach Mike Teti.

·         Joe Spencer (Penn AC) won the Pan Am Games trials in the 4-, was first in the Pan Am Games 8, fifth in the 4-, and second at the US East Coast speed orders in pair, which also earned him an invitation to the U.S. Olympic Eights selection camp under Philadelphia native, coach Mike Teti.

Wintech Racing, Philadelphia Brewing Company, Kieffer's Appliance and Mariner Insurance Group have provided sponsorship for The Schuylkill Navy 9^th Annual Awards Banquet.

The Schuylkill Navy 9^th Annual Awards Banquet marks the beginning of the 2012 season on the river, and the second year of the Philadelphia Classic Regatta Series, which brings together 20 previously independent events into the first year-long regatta series in the United States. With three of the largest regattas in the Mid-Atlantic region on the schedule, as well as two of the nation's oldest regattas, the Philadelphia Classic Regatta Series connects the rowing competitors of today to the historic home of the international rowing elite. It is built upon a tradition that launched November 12, 1835 with the first organized regatta on the Schuylkill (a full eight years before the start of the rowing program at Harvard). Over 175 years later, the Schuylkill River hosts more regattas annually than any other river in the nation. The Philadelphia Classic Regatta Series schedule for 2012 runs from Sunday, March 18 and continues through Sunday, November 11.  Last year’s debut season featured over 35,000 competitors in over 7,700 boats representing not only high schools but colleges, clubs, masters and open programs from around the country. 

The Philadelphia Classic Regatta Series has been recognized by the Philadelphia Sports Congress as one of the "Premier Annual Events" for the city, state and region along with the Penn Relays (April); Blue Cross Broad Street Run (May); Devon Horse Show (May); TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship (June); Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon (June); ING Rock 'n' Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon (September); the Philadelphia Marathon (November) and Army-Navy Football.

The official host hotel of the 2012 Philadelphia Classic Regatta Series is the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Downtown.  Official sponsors of the Philadelphia Classic Regatta Series include Monarch Travel Services and Spike's Trophies. Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington and Double Tree Suites by Hilton Philadelphia West are hotel partners of the Philadelphia Classic Regatta Series.

Additional information is available at http://www.BoathouseRow.org.

Media Contact:

Jim DeLorenzo

215-564-1122

jim@jhdenterprises.com

Apply by Wednesday, February 15 for Next ISMPP Certified Medical Publication Professional (CMPP) Exam

Briarcliff Manor, NY - February 10, 2012 - Give yourself an edge! Now, more than ever, medical publication professionals are challenged with increasing scrutiny surrounding data dissemination and reporting.

The ISMPP Certified Medical Publication Professional (CMPP) credential is as a mark of accomplishment in skills associated with medical publication planning and implementation; it denotes excellence in ethical publication practice, resulting in increased confidence and value to current and future employers, colleagues, and customers. The CMPP credential is awarded to eligible candidates who successfully complete the CMPP examination—there are no additional requirements. Once received, the certification is valid for 5 years.

Earning a CMPP means that you:

•           Are a leader in your profession, recognized as credentialed in the field by a range of stakeholders

•           Agree to uphold the highest levels of scientific and professional integrity in medical publications

•           Possess a recognized knowledge base, skill set, and abilities that are identifiable and measurable

•           Support a set of common standards for medical publication professionals

•           Have demonstrated and defined your commitment to the profession

Are You Ready? Applicants who take the CMPP exam come from a number of industry sectors and hold a variety of job functions including, but not limited to, medical writers and editors, researchers, project managers, publication planners, and publishers. The minimal requirements to sit the CMPP exam can be found in The CMPP Candidate Handbook, available at http://www.ismpp.org/certification/exam.html. The handbook also contains sample questions and other information, so you can assess your readiness to take the exam. You can also refer to the attached Fact Sheet for more information.

Don’t Miss the Deadline! Applications are now being accepted for the next seating of the CMPP exam, March 1–31, 2012, at approved testing centers around the world. You can submit your application, exam fee, and signed candidate agreement form to the ISMPP CMPP office—either electronically or by regular post. Your application will be reviewed for eligibility—upon acceptance, you will receive an email confirmation, followed by details on how to schedule your exam.

Hurry! The application deadline is Wednesday, February 15, 2012.

About ISMPP:

The International Society for Medical Publication Professionals is an independent nonprofit professional association with members from the pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotechnology industries; publication planning and medical communications companies; academia; and medical journal staff, including editors and publishers. Its goals are to support the education needs of publication professionals and to develop best practices that ensure the rigorous maintenance of all ethical standards for reporting the results of medical research. Additional information about ISMPP is available by contacting the organization’s Executive Director, Kimberly Goldin (phone 1-914-945-0507, e-mail kgoldin@ismpp.org), or online at www.ismpp.org.

For more information on ISMPP and CMPP, please visit www.ismpp.org or contact Sue Marek, Credentialing Associate at ISMPP, at smarek@ismpp.org or 1-908-859-8414.

Don't miss this opportunity—apply to sit for the March CMPP exam. Already certified? Please pass this information along to a colleague!

Certified Medical Publication Professional (CMPP) Exam Fact Sheet

Deadline for applications to sit the March 2012 CMPP exam is Wednesday, February 15, 2012.

•           The CMPP examination is a computerized test composed of 150 multiple-choice questions designed to assess a candidate’s knowledge and experience of medical publications. Preparing for the exam is straightforward. The CMPP Candidate Handbook, available at http://www.ismpp.org/certification/exam.html, includes a list of topics and sample questions, as well as information on eligibility, the application process, schedule, fees, and everything else candidates will need to help prepare for the exam.

•           Successful completion of the examination provides a number of tangible benefits to the individual. Holders of the CMPP accreditation are recognized as credible experts in the medical publications arena, having demonstrated skills, knowledge, and leadership as well as confidence within the professional community. As such, CMPP holders are widely regarded as having enhanced value to colleagues and business partners.

•           Qualifying CMPP candidates come from a number of industry sectors and hold a variety of job functions including, but not limited to, medical writers and editors, researchers, project managers, publication planners, and publishers.

•           The CMPP credential validates an individual’s specialty experience and professional judgment, knowledge, and skills within the medical publications arena.

•           Supporting CMPP certification provides significant benefits to organizations, as CMPP holders are better prepared to make informed decisions with greater confidence. They also help organizations to interpret, apply, and adhere to good publication practice guidelines, therefore optimizing opportunities and minimizing risk. Supporting CMPP certification can also help increase job satisfaction, boost employee retention, and enhance recruitment within the highly competitive medical publications sector.

•           The CMPP credential is awarded to candidates who successfully complete the CMPP examination—there are no additional requirements.

•           If you would like to sit the CMPP exam, speak to your employer about the benefits outlined above, and visit http://www.ismpp.org/certification/exam.html to apply for the March 2012 exam today—

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2012.

Bill Clement Announced as Keynote Speaker for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer's 40th Anniversary Celebration & Awards, Lou Tilley Announced as Master of Ceremonies at March 3rd Event

Plymouth Meeting, PA – February 10, 2012 -  Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer today announced that Bill Clement, two-time Stanley Cup Champion and critically acclaimed author, speaker, actor, entrepreneur and broadcaster will be the keynote speaker at the organization’s 40th Anniversary Celebration and Awards Gala.  The gala, which features a cocktail reception, dinner and presentation of nine prestigious awards, is scheduled for the evening of Saturday, March 3^rd at the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Downtown, located at 18th & Market in Center City Philadelphia.

"We are delighted that Bill Clement has agreed to join us at our 40th Anniversary Gala and deliver what are sure to be memorable remarks from his own unique perspective," said Chris Branscome, Chief Executive Officer of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer.  "Bill has valuable insights not only from his career as a sports broadcaster and an entrepreneur but also someone who has, himself, been a youth soccer coach."

Among the awards to be presented at the 40th Anniversary Gala are recognition of individuals as Volunteer, Travel Coach, Recreation Coach, Administrator, TOPSoccer and Young Referees of the Year.  Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer also recognizes members of the community for great citizenship.  Awards presented at the gala will also include the Union League of Philadelphia’s Good Citizenship Award and the D’Anjolell Award.  The Service to Youth Award rounds out the event by recognizing an individual who has made significant contributions that have a lasting impact on the soccer community.

“It’s a great honor to be invited to speak at Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s 40th Anniversary celebration, and I look forward to sharing some thoughts on leadership and coaching and how to shape the future,” said Clement, the author of the recently published book, “Everyday Leadership:  Crossing Gorges on Tightropes of Success.” 

In addition, Lou Tilley, the award-winning anchor and producer whose career encompasses both television and radio broadcasting, notably in the Philadelphia area, will be the Master of Ceremonies for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s 40th Anniversary Gala. 

Tickets to the 40th Anniversary Celebration and Awards Gala are available online at http://www.epysa.org/events/awards_gala.aspx.

About Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer:  Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer has worked throughout Eastern Pennsylvania to promote, foster and perpetuate the game of soccer to the region’s youth since 1972.  Through competitions, educational programs, workshops and coaching clinics, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer currently impacts the lives of more than 130,000 youth soccer players from ages five to 19.  Additional information is available at http://www.epysa.org.