CHICAGO - The demand continues for quality education from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) with record attendance at the fourth HIMSS Virtual Conference & Expo. With a 65 percent growth in attendance from the April 2008 virtual conference, this two-day event attracted an estimated 2,800 attendees, according to preliminary figures.

This online, interactive event, held on Nov. 19-20, averaged more than 90 attendees at each of the 22 educational sessions, according to an initial review of conference attendance. The event also offered attendees the opportunity to visit with exhibitors at 36 exhibit booths, which remain accessible, as do the education sessions, to attendees through Dec. 20, which is 30 days following the close of the conference.

"The HIMSS Virtual Conference & Expo has become a vital component of the Society's educational offerings because this virtual setting meets the busy schedules of health IT professionals from around the world," said H. Stephen Lieber, CAE, HIMSS president/CEO. "The continued growth of this event indicates expanded interest in both the content and on-demand educational platform."

Participants were able to visit two floors of exhibitors that offered educational materials on their product solutions and opportunities to chat with representatives. New this year, the Resource Center provided an innovative response to assembling all resource collateral in one area. The pre-recorded Industry Solutions webinars were available on-demand for viewing during educational session off-hours.

Feedback from attendees has been positive including this post from registered nurse and first-time attendee Debbie Leyva who commented about the HIMSS Virtual Conference & Expo at www.myhealthtechblog.com on her blog. "Wow, an amazing event! Never before have I entered the virtual world, although I've heard of its existence. Today was Day One of the HIMSS Virtual Conference and WOW! - I was amazed. I virtually walked through the exhibit hall, spoke with attendees, acquired white papers and promotional material, and I attended several presentations - even those that offered continuing education units (CEUs)."

The next HIMSS Virtual Conference & Expo is scheduled for June 9-10, 2009.

About HIMSS
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) is the healthcare industry's membership organization exclusively focused on providing global leadership for the optimal use of healthcare information technology (IT) and management systems for the betterment of healthcare. Founded in 1961 with offices in Chicago, Washington D.C., Brussels, Singapore, and other locations across the United States and the globe, HIMSS represents more than 20,000 individual members and over 350 corporate members that collectively represent organizations employing millions of people. HIMSS frames and leads healthcare public policy and industry practices through its advocacy, educational and professional development initiatives designed to promote information and management systems' contributions to ensuring quality patient care.

###