HIMSS and Informa Markets this week confirmed a new partnership, through which Informa will manage the HIMSS Global Health Conference and Exhibition going forward.

"This is our opportunity to continue to expand the global conference for the betterment of our members and the global health ecosystem at large," said Hal Wolf, president and CEO of HIMSS.

In an interview with Healthcare IT News, a HIMSS publication, Wolf spoke alongside Ken McAvoy, president of South Florida Ventures at Informa Markets.

"Our main objective, and it will be driven every day, is our relationship with the association, and its membership and growth," said McAvoy. "And making sure that we add value to everything we do for the association."

He added that Informa's goal "is not just to improve or expand the trade show, but to expand the association's reach on a global basis."

The HIMSS Global Health Conference and Exhibition – which is scheduled next for March 11-15, 2024 in Orlando – is one of the biggest annual healthcare events in North America, bringing together some 40,000 healthcare and technology leaders from provider organizations and governments worldwide.

London-based Informa Markets has a world-leading portfolio of more than 450 exhibition brands covering sectors including engineering, health and wellness, and more, with events such as the Florida International Medical Expo and Arab Health.

With this new partnership (financial terms of which were not disclosed) the aim is to use Informa's worldwide scale and reach to amplify HIMSS' deep expertise and thought leadership across the global health community.

HIMSS will continue to curate content and programming showcasing advancements and innovations in health information and technology, while Informa helps innovate the conference experience for attendees.

In 2024, the Orlando conference will offer new enhancements for members, say HIMSS and Informa – from improved digital features, enhanced registration processes and new product discovery apps.

Wolf says that he's heard from many HIMSS members since the partnership was first announced, and many of them have questions.

They're asking: "'Am I still going to get the same kind of programming? Am I still going to have an enjoyable time at HIMSS? What does this mean?' And the answer is everything you experienced before. And more so."

"There's going to be so much seamless continuity," said McAvoy. "But they're going to have more tools to work with."

HIMSS first began thinking about working with a partner on the global conference "a number of years ago when we were thinking about how digital health continued to expand, and we really wanted to begin to focus even more on our content, our thought leadership, our professional development," said Wolf.

"When Informa Markets walked in the door and we had a chance to start talking to each other and understood how they understood how our society worked and we saw all of the amazing attributes that they have and can bring, it became a no-brainer."

But it "did not happen quickly," he added. "It was over months and months of strategic discussions, and we're very pleased with the outcome. There is a focus on excellence and expansion. We're thrilled at the opportunity to truly continue to build on the global nature of the HIMSS conference."

McAvoy says the tools available to HIMSS to make dynamic and engaging conferences for its members will be improved and broadened because of Informa's economies of scale.

"We're going to be able to leverage that for HIMSS to the fullest extent, to make sure that the experience of both the attendee and the exhibitor is enhanced because of the partnership that we have," he said.

"We have so much in common in terms of our goals," said Wolf. "Informa understands that a strong and healthy HIMSS is a strong and healthy conference environment."

Mike Miliard is executive editor of Healthcare IT News
Email the writer: mike.miliard@himssmedia.com
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS publication.