Danya Praised By NHSN for Exceptional Performance in a Crisis
Danya Team Moves NHSN Conference in 2 Weeks in Response to Hurricane

SILVER SPRING, MD. (September 29, 2005) – Danya International, Inc., a health communications and technology firm delivering breakthrough solutions for public health and education, was applauded by organizers of the National Hispanic Science Network’s (NHSN) annual conference for its success at relocating the event in a matter of days. The NHSN conference, which gathers scientists and researchers from across the U.S. and the world to discuss the critical issue of drug abuse among Hispanic populations, was scheduled for New Orleans on September 14-17, and, due to Hurricane Katrina, had to be moved to Miami.

“Danya was fantastic. To make the transition from New Orleans to Miami in two weeks made holding our conference possible,” explained Ana Anders, Senior Advisor on Special Populations at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes on Health. “Danya took care of all the logistics, including arranging the hotel accommodations and changing the airline reservations, domestic as well as international travel. And, not only were they extremely professional under very stressful circumstances, they accomplished every task with a smile on their face.”

And, the Chair of the National Hispanic Science Network on Drug Abuse, Dr. José Szapocznik, Ph.D., said that “Danya's emergency response to Hurricane Katrina was exemplary. In two weeks, they moved the NHSN conference from New Orleans to Miami. The Miami conference lost no speakers and only 5 of 140 participants. The conference ran seamlessly as if it had been planned for Miami for a year. Danya worked with the national office, the conference chair, presenters, participants and hotels to make this move possible. Our fifth national conference remained a possibility by Danya's ability to turn on a dime.”

“The professionals at Danya are dedicated to exceeding the expectations of clients and, in this case, they went to extraordinary lengths to ensure this vitally important conference would go on as scheduled,” said Jeffrey Hoffman, Ph.D., President and CEO of Danya. “But Danya was just a part of a remarkable team that included NHSN members, employees from the University of Miami and staff from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). This is an example of how working together as partners committed to a mission can overcome even the most challenging of obstacles.”

The decision to implement an emergency plan for relocation of the conference was made on Sunday, August 28, the day before Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and neighboring cities. On Tuesday, August 30, the NHSN conference had been relocated to Coral Gables, Florida, and participants and attendees had been notified and provided assistance in changing itineraries and travel arrangements. Additionally, the registration Web site was updated and the conference materials revised.