5 Reasons why #HITMC is special for HealthIT Marketers

At one point in my career I kept a tally of conferences that I attended, but I stopped counting years ago when I reached 200. I still enjoy going to industry events, but there aren’t many that I get excited about. The Healthcare IT Marketing and PR Conference (#HITMC) is one of the exceptions.

If you are involved with marketing or PR in the field of #HealthIT you need to add #HITMC to your calendar. Below are five reasons why.

Reason 1 - YANA (You Are Not Alone)

Forgive the Doctor Who reference, but there is no better place for #HealthIT marketers to banish stress and anxiety than at #HITMC. The event is one of the few places where you can talk to peers who truly understand the unique challenges of healthcare marketing. Just listening to the conversations at #HITMC you will quickly realize that EVERYONE struggles with reimbursement uncertainty, ever-changing regulations, salespeople who think PHI is an airport code and creative agencies who spell HIPAA with two “Ps”. At #HITMC you get a full dose of YANA which can sustain you for an entire year.

Reason 2 – Education

It will sound cliché, but the educational sessions at #HITMC are truly excellent. Some topics are explored in detail over an hour while others are covered at a high level in 30 minutes. Even the breaks and social events are educational. Every year I learn just as much from the impromptu discussions over lunch/drinks as I do from the formal sessions. No matter if you are new to #HealthIT or a veteran, you will always find something new to learn at #HITMC

Reason 3 – Business Connections

#HITMC attracts a wide audience. There are members of the press, representatives from PR firms, creative freelancers and even some marketing software providers. If you are looking for a 3rd party to help with your marketing efforts you will likely find someone at #HITMC who can fill the need. I have personally inked an engagement with someone I met at #HITMC because they impressed me with their knowledge at the event.

Reason 4 – Talented/passionate candidates

#HITMC is one of the best places to find potential candidates. It’s relatively easy to find marketing talent. It’s not easy to find talented marketing people who are truly passionate about healthcare and #HealthIT. You can’t walk two steps at #HITMC without bumping into someone who is brimming with enthusiasm about HealthIT. Over the past two years, I have been fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time and have brought on board two talented people.

Reason 5 – Fun

As marketers we spend most of our days at healthcare conferences managing booths, running evening events and chaperoning organizational thought leaders to their press appointments. There is very little time for networking and having fun with peers. #HITMC provides the rare opportunity to kick back and enjoy each other’s company without the pressure of being the pressure of being an exhibitor.

HITMC17 runs from April 5-7 in Las Vegas NV.