It’s hard to believe that we’ve already been home from New Orleans for a week and that the 17
th Annual Healthcare Internet Conference is "in the books." We had so many attendees and exhibitors tell us this was our best conference yet, and we hope that is true and that you agree.
Here are a few highlights that stuck with us during the week:
- Dr. Natasha Burgert: Dr. Natasha’s keynote led off the HCIC on Monday afternoon. A pediatrician, she discussed how using social media helped her to solve the three main problems with her practice: Not being able to get information out to her patients’ parents, having an "average" point of care and only having 20 minutes per encounter. Dr. Natasha and her practice partners use Facebook, Twitter, a blog and a variety of other techniques to interact with their patients 24/7/365. I wish more doctors adopted were like her.
- David Meerman Scott: In his very energetic keynote presentation, “It’s a Real Time World – Are You Ready?” David discussed the importance of “social sharing” – publishing content and immediately sharing it. He also discussed buyer personas, how not to do content marketing and real-time brand journalism. Just a thought: whatever it is that gives David so much energy, I want some of it!
- Rose Glenn and Denise Beaudoin: Rose and Denise gave their perspectives in a keynote presentation on engaging consumers in the new healthcare economy. They talked about their experiences at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, where the economy presents enhanced challenges for marketers. It is always a treat to hear a real-life case study of how at least one health system is engaging patients through digital media.
- Best in Class Awards: The presentation of the Best in Class Awards on Sunday evening was a treat for all. The “Mike and Mike Show” started things off on a highly entertaining note. The Best in Class awards were presented in eight categories. Congratulations to the winners! For a complete listing of the award winners, please visit http://www.greystone.net/who-we-are/best-in-class-awards/best-in-class-winners.
- Healthcare Internet Hall of Fame Induction and John A. Eudes Award: Tuesday lunch and these presentations are always a special time at the HCIC. Congratulation to Eudes Award winner Dan Ansel and to the 2013 inductees into the Healthcare Internet Hall of Fame: Lee Aase; C. Everett Koop, MD; Kevin Pho, MD; Cleveland Clinic; Geisinger Health System and Medical University of South Carolina.
- Concurrent sessions: The topics of the 48 concurrent sessions were varied, timely and educational. We hope you were able to meet your needs with the sessions you attended. And remember: if you couldn’t get to all the sessions you would have liked to, you can catch up on missed sessions with Rewind. It's also a great way to share the HCIC content with colleagues who didn't make it to New Orleans.
- Exhibit hall: This year’s exhibition space was our largest yet. It filled nearly 27,000 square feet and nearly 30% of the exhibitors were first time exhibitors with the conference. Lots of new tools and new services to learn about and explore. We hope you took advantage of that opportunity.
Our thanks go out to everyone who attended and participated in this year’s conference. It was great seeing everyone!
We’ll take a few deep breaths between now and the first of the year, but we're already deep into planning for the 18
th Annual HCIC in Scottsdale. The Call for Speakers and the Exhibitor and Sponsor Prospectus will be out before you know it.
We wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving!