This year’s HIMSS Annual Conference may be the largest event held in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city, and its already-struggling economy, 18 months ago.  The total number of attendees could top 25,000 for the first time. That’s an enormous number of visitors to be hosted by a city with a current population estimated at only about 200,000 – less than half of its before-Katrina size.

Appearances by Steven Ballmer, Colin Powell, Stephen Covey, and a gala evening with both the Temptations and the Four Tops are big attractions that, along with the local gastronomy, are expected to draw many HIMSS attendees.  But, like spring break, the biggest draw for the HIMSS throngs in New Orleans will be each other.  HIMSS brings vendors and buyers together, brings peers together, and provides unique opportunities for learning and exchange in the largest and most-widely respected IT education symposia and industry trade show in the healthcare field.

Nothing can replace the once-a-year opportunity to mix and mingle that the HIMSS annual conference provides.  But new technology – and a commitment from HIMSS to deploy it well – will bring many of the benefits of HIMSS attendance – including significant opportunities for education, networking, and vendor interaction – to the industry again this May, when HIMSS launches its first-ever “virtual” conference. Unlike the annual conference in New Orleans, you won’t have to be there to “be there” at the virtual event – which will take place on May 16-17. This event will come to you, or more specifically to your desktop, when you register to attend and log on.

The HIMSS Virtual Conference & Expo is not a Web seminar; but rather a fully interactive event that incorporates online learning, live chat, active movement in and out of exhibit booths and sessions, vendor presentations, contests, and more. Not unlike an actual conference, participants will attend educational sessions at specific times designated by an agenda; visit exhibit booths to view presentations,  pick up marketing materials, and speak (via instant messenger) to sales reps; participate in small and large group discussions; and chat with colleagues in the lounge.

As a partner with HIMSS on this initiative, MedTech Publishing Company is bullish on the potential. Think “Web seminar on steroids,” or “Web seminar 2.0,” in that it adds a dimension of interactivity, and many dimensions of simultaneous content choices to the experience.

Attendees will be able to enjoy over 18 live educational sessions on pressing topics, tune in to several “marquis” keynotes, and peruse an exhibit hall that offers manned booths, live product demonstrations, downloadable information, and more.  In-depth education sessions will cover topics such as: Interoperability, Integration, IT Adoption, Privacy & Security, ROI, Quality, Patient Safety, and more.

What will draw attendees to a virtual conference?  Some – but not all – of what will bring the crowds down to what remains of the Crescent City at the end of the month.  Most of all, what will bring people to the online event this spring will be each other.