CHICAGO – Professional registration at the 2010 Annual HIMSS Conference and Exhibition saw an increase of 9 percent, according to the organization's preliminary registration figures.
 
The conference, which was held in Atlanta, Ga. from March 1 to 4, drew 27,855 registrants, up from 27,627 last year. HIMSS officials said of that number 13,846 were professional registrants.

Nearly 30 percent of professional registrants came from healthcare provider settings. Chief information officers and chief technology officers represented 11 percent of professional registrants, and CEOs represented 10 percent. Almost 8 percent of professional registrants came from outside the United States.

HIMSS officials said this year's more than 300 educational sessions focused on hot topic issues such as meaningful use standards, certification and criteria and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

HIMSS10 showcased 934 exhibitors – up from 907 last year – 289 of which were first time exhibitors. The show's Interoperability showcase, which was spread over 25,000 sq. ft., was the show's largest ever with 84 different participants.

The next HIMSS Conference and Exhibition will be Feb. 21 to 24, 2011, in Orlando, Fla.