At the HIMSS23 media briefing held yesterday, the number of attendees was announced as 35,000 – a significant increase over 2021 and 2022’s attendance. This result led Harold (Hal) Wolf, President and CEO of HIMSS to declare to the gathered journalists: “Let’s be honest, this is the first HIMSS where it feels like we are all back.”
HIMSS23 certainly felt fuller and busier than the conferences held in 2021 and 2022. There were large crowds at the entrance to both halls of the exhibit floor, you had to constantly dodge fellow attendees who were paying more attention to their phones than their surroundings, and there were long lines at the Starbucks.
During the press briefing, Wolf answered a variety of questions from the gathered members of the media which included:
Will HIMSS be investing in emerging markets?
Yes. Although the organization had to re-assess their strategy post-COVID they remain committed to foreign and emerging markets.
What the nature of the relationship was with the WHO?
It’s evolving and the relationship is 100% aligned with HIMSS’ goal of bring together public and provide sectors together in healthcare
Is meaningful progress is being made to address health equity?
To which Wolf responded: “I think the health equity strategies being put in place right now are solid, but it’s going to take a few years to see the full impact. The ‘true north’ for digital health technology should be health equity.”
