Creating Tomorrow’s Health at 2024 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition

More than 30,000 professionals including public health officials, CIOs and CTOs, informaticists, data scientists and practitioners convened in Orlando from March 11-15 for the 2024 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition — the largest gathering of healthcare technology professionals worldwide. 

Representing more than 70 countries, attendees explored artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, interoperability, policy, coaching teams to victory and many more global health topics shaping healthcare.  

HIMSS President & CEO Hal Wolf, speaking from the keynote stage Tuesday morning, named the driving forces that leads health innovators to meet, learn and share solutions at the annual HIMSS Global Conference: “Technology alone doesn't do anything. It’s people, process and technology. All three have to come together,” Wolf said. 

Nearly 500 speakers presented general education sessions that were selected through a highly competitive peer review process, and more than 1,000 exhibitors showcased the latest achievements in healthcare technology, services and devices.  

Keynote events featured executives from Hackensack Meridian Health, Google Cloud, Zipline and SocialProof Security; partners from Taylor English Duma LLP; as well as legendary college football coach Nick Saban.  

On the topic of responsible use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, Hackensack CEO Robert C. Garrett explained in his keynote, “AI can help to drive health equity if it's done correctly.” Other AI’s experts weighed in on the technology’s potential impact on climate change, sustainability, burnout and overall health improvements. 

Leading healthcare technology expert, author and HIMSS24 host Dr. Geeta Nayyar introduced giant crowds at keynote events to the leaders who are transforming health information and technology. She also discussed social media's HIT landscape at a HIMSS Connect panel and met fans to sign copies of her book. 

The conference this year was also a watershed moment for HIMSS, with the passing of the HIMSS Global Conference & Exhibition stewardship to Informa Markets. The improvements and advancements created by the partnership with Informa Markets could be seen in every aspect of the attendee experience from the new map-your-show app to the exhibition floor to the nightly receptions.  

HIMSS can now focus on creating expert-level programming and thought leadership delivered by best-in-class speakers that will engage and delight the critical segments that make up HIMSS membership.  CxO, CMIO, CIO, COO, Nursing, and Informatics professionals top the list, as well as individual members, Organizational Affiliates, and corporate partners of HIMSS. 

For the first time this year, the HIMSS Global Conference featured a Hosted Buyer Program for providers. HIMSS24 also boasted a new and improved Venture Connect Program for start-ups and entrepreneurs and an expanded Executive Summit and CXO experience.  

A Global Policy Leaders' Summit and panels featured government agencies, global Ministers of Health and other leading policymakers discussing AI in healthcare and the challenges of balancing cybersecurity and patient privacy issues while also improving digital health information exchange. 

HIMSS chapter members convened to celebrate the North American chapters, presenting awards to the extraordinary chapter leaders and board members and recognizing bronze, silver and gold level chapters. 38 different chapters also hosted a total of 21 networking events throughout the week of HIMSS24.

HIMSS finalized a Memorandum of Understanding to advance digital health in South Korea, with Wolf and senior government officials signing the agreement in front of an audience. 

Sponsors and exhibitors made hundreds of industry-changing announcements during the conference on topics such as Generative AI, cybersecurity, and informatics. The new innovations and products announced at HIMSS24 will help shape the healthcare industry for years to come.  

Attendees, including nearly 5,000 executive leaders, earned continuing education credits, saw old friends and made new connections at networking events and gathered in hallways and meeting spaces to discuss the latest breakthroughs, create partnerships and find new ways to make a difference in the global digital health ecosystem. 

HIMSS24 provided the platform for healthcare and technology's brightest minds to share their ideas and best practices and build the healthcare innovations of tomorrow.   

The momentum does not stop here. HIMSS24 Europe is next, slated for May 29-31 in Rome, Italy. Planning for HIMSS25 has already begun with exciting changes coming to the programming, speaker roster and attendee experience once again. Look for more announcements throughout the year as preparation begins for HIMSS25 in Las Vegas.