HIMSS is great! It is an intellectually stimulating, entertaining, and productive way to perform market research into the latest ideas in health technology. HIMSS is also an excellent method to learn “hands-on” about products and personally engage with industry experts who exhibit their products’ strengths and limitations. This conference is a terrific way to cultivate connections with a community of like-minded practitioners to build new and renew old relationships while expanding your professional network.

But the size of such a large conference can be overwhelming. As an attendee, you only have so much time to attend sessions, walk the floor, participate in events, etc. It is easy to get lost in a forest of booths, sessions, presentations, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and happy hours. It can be intimidating because there always seems to be too much to see, too far to go, and too little time to make the most of the show.

For busy VA executives, how do you choose which exhibitors to engage?

Click this image to go to VA Trail

Introducing VA Trail – a free guide to help you navigate your way through the hundreds of booths at HIMSS from a VA/OIT perspective. Its goal is to maximize your return on the time you invest. We created the VA Trail by reviewing every one of the 600+ exhibitors, then selected companies and organizations whose products and services – we believe – merit the most attention due to their relevance to the VA mission. You may not agree with all of our choices, but it can be a good starting point for you.

In the Federal market, and specifically within the VA/OIT contract-vehicle ecosystem of T4NG, CEDAR, SEWP, GSA, and CIO-SP3, attending HIMSS is an extremely efficient way to conduct teaming discussions. The prime contractor/subcontractor teaming dance has its own set of rules and roles, which contribute to success or failure in pursuit of a government contract. HIMSS provides a quick and cost-effective setting to cut deals because nearly everyone involved is in the same place at the same time.  Nuances of a complex teaming agreement can be explained in seconds. And most importantly trust commitment, and confidence in a business partnership that can be created or deflated by body language not communicated through videoconferences, email, or texts.

For these reasons, HIMSS is a must-attend event in support of the sacred mission of the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The VA Trail will soon be shared on the Business of VA website and we will be offering a downloadable PDF version too.

See you at HIMSS22!