HIMSS Cancels Landmark Health Tech Conference Over Covid-19 Fears
The HIMSS health tech conference is officially canceled for the first time in nearly 60 years as the Covid-19 outbreak forces major tech companies and public health officials to halt large gatherings.
The health care technology organization HIMSS cancels its annual conference for the first time in nearly 60 years due to the rapid spread of Covid-19. The decision comes after a steady stream of major exhibitors pull out of the event, which is originally scheduled to take place next week in Orlando. Leadership states that the cancellation is unavoidable to protect the health and safety of the global health tech community, local residents, and healthcare providers.
This unprecedented cancellation erases tens of millions of dollars in investments from technology companies that build elaborate displays and demonstrations for the exhibit floor. The event typically draws more than 45,000 attendees from over 90 countries to network and discuss the future of the nation's $3.5 trillion health care industry. About 37,000 people register for this year's gathering before the organization makes the call to shut it down entirely.
The move underscores both the severe urgency of the coronavirus threat and the growing economic toll it takes on large-scale events. Major tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Intel withdraw from the conference in the days leading up to the announcement as public health warnings intensify. The sudden halt also means the cancellation of a scheduled Monday speech by President Trump regarding his administration's plans for increased data-sharing and patient access to medical records.