The annual HIMSS conference is nearly upon us, kicking off in less than two weeks in Orlando. When I attempt to convey the magnitude of the Health Information Management Systems Society event to non-industry folks, I often describe it as the Olympics of our industry – an ironic statement given the games going on in Sochi right now. Anyone having anything to do with healthcare IT will be there, experiencing the #HIMSSanity of a predicted 40,000-plus folks frenetically trying to see and do as much as humanly possible.
There have been rumblings of late that the show has become far more of a vendor meeting place than one that caters to the needs of the society’s core members, providers, many of whom are too busy putting out (or preparing to put out) expensive fires on the clinical home front to attend a week-long conference.
While it’s safe to say the exhibit hall has gotten bigger by the year, I can’t help but feel affection for an event that offers a little something for everyone, and the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues I might not otherwise have the opportunity to see at any other time of year. (I offer advice on best ways to prepare for and experience the conference here.)
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I’ve never been to CES, which I hear puts HIMSS to shame when it comes to square footage and attendees, but from what I’ve read it seems like a similar vibe. There are keynote speakers like Hillary Clinton and new ONC chief Karen DeSalvo, numerous educational tracks and special symposiums, areas devoted to interoperability and innovation, a wellness challenge that will likely see many a participant wearing a device they learned of via CES coverage, and, of course, a vast spread of networking events put on by the society, vendors and other associations. I’m especially looking forward to #HISTalkapalooza and the New Media Meetup.
I’m looking forward to once again judging fashions and footwear
at one of my favorite HIMSS networking events.
While Olympic-sized in terms of healthcare IT, I don’t foresee running into any Sochi-like problems with accommodations at this year’s event in Orlando. (Last year was a different story. The city of New Orleans had water on lockdown during the first two days of HIMSS 13 due to fire at the sewage and water plant that triggered a drop in water pressure and resulted in a boil order, giving attendees and exhibitors alike reason to commiserate at the drop of a hat.) I do wonder if quantified selfers and devices will show up in force, as they seem to be doing in Sochi. The Wellness Challenge will no doubt provide a taste of that part of the industry. I’m looking forward to seeing who takes home the gold.
