How to Network at HIMSS 2026: Your Complete Guide to Making Meaningful Connections

Master the art of networking at HIMSS26 (March 9-12, 2026) with strategies for navigating three Las Vegas venues, maximizing The Park experience, connecting with 28,000+ healthcare IT professionals, and turning conversations into career-changing relationships.

The HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition (HIMSS26) returns to Las Vegas March 9-12, 2026, bringing together 28,000+ healthcare IT professionals from 88 countries across three prestigious venues: the Venetian Convention & Expo Center, Caesars Forum, and Wynn Las Vegas. With 950+ exhibitors, 600+ educational sessions, and innovative networking spaces like the brand-new "The Park" in Venetian Expo Hall G, HIMSS26 represents the single most important networking opportunity in healthcare technology this year.

But here's the challenge: with thousands of potential connections spread across multiple venues, dozens of concurrent sessions, and a packed schedule of receptions and events, how do you maximize your networking ROI? How do you move beyond collecting business cards to building relationships that actually advance your career or business?

This comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to network strategically at HIMSS26, from pre-show planning through post-conference follow-up. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a HIMSS veteran, you'll discover actionable strategies to make this your most successful conference ever.

Understanding the HIMSS26 Landscape: What Makes This Year Different

Before diving into networking tactics, let's understand what makes HIMSS26 unique and how the conference structure creates specific networking opportunities.

The Three-Venue Configuration

Unlike conferences confined to a single venue, HIMSS26 spans three Las Vegas properties, each serving different functions. This multi-venue approach creates both challenges and opportunities for networkers.

Venetian Convention & Expo Center serves as the primary exhibition hub, housing 950+ exhibitors across massive expo halls. The newly introduced "The Park" occupies Expo Hall G, specifically designed as a discovery zone for emerging companies and a networking nexus. Most attendees will spend significant time here during exhibition hours (March 10-12, 10 AM - 5 PM).

Caesars Forum hosts the opening celebration on Monday, March 9 (5-7 PM) with a Formula 1 theme. This venue becomes your first major networking opportunity before the exhibition floor even opens. The dramatic architecture and themed experience create natural conversation starters.

Wynn Las Vegas accommodates many educational sessions and smaller networking events. The luxury setting encourages more intimate, executive-level conversations compared to the bustling expo floor.

The Park: Your Discovery and Networking Hub

The Park represents HIMSS26's most significant innovation for networkers. Located in Venetian Expo Hall G, this dedicated space showcases emerging companies and new market entrants while serving as a designated networking zone.

Why The Park matters for networking: First, the companies exhibiting here are often more accessible. Unlike major vendors with crowded booths and strict appointment schedules, emerging companies actively seek conversations. Founders and C-level executives frequently staff these booths personally, giving you direct access to decision-makers.

Second, The Park's design intentionally facilitates networking. Expect more open spaces, comfortable seating areas, and a relaxed atmosphere compared to the traditional expo floor hustle. This environment encourages longer, more substantive conversations.

Third, early adopters and innovation-focused professionals gravitate toward The Park. If you're interested in cutting-edge health IT solutions, AI applications, or emerging interoperability standards, you'll find your tribe here.

New for 2026: One Hour Workshops

HIMSS26 introduces condensed one-hour workshop sessions, creating micro-networking opportunities. These shorter formats mean more frequent session breaks, giving you additional chances to connect with fellow attendees between workshops. The compact timeframe also makes it easier to attend multiple sessions across different topics, expanding your networking reach across various healthcare IT specialties.

Pre-Show Planning: Setting Yourself Up for Networking Success

Successful networking at HIMSS26 begins weeks before you arrive in Las Vegas. The professionals who make the most connections don't rely on serendipity—they execute a strategic plan.

Define Your Networking Objectives

Before you do anything else, answer this question: What specific outcomes do you want from HIMSS26 networking? Vague goals like "meet interesting people" won't drive action. Instead, set concrete objectives.

Examples of strong networking objectives:

• Connect with three potential integration partners for our EHR implementation
• Identify five AI vendors addressing clinical documentation challenges
• Meet current users of Oracle Health to discuss their implementation experience
• Find two mentors currently working in healthcare cybersecurity leadership
• Connect with health system CIOs from organizations similar to ours (250-500 beds)
• Identify potential speakers for our regional HIT user group
• Meet international healthcare technology leaders for potential collaboration

Write down 3-5 specific objectives. These will guide every networking decision you make throughout the conference.

Master the Interactive Floor Plan

HIMSS26 provides an interactive floor plan at himss26.mapyourshow.com that most attendees underutilize. This tool isn't just for navigation—it's your primary networking research platform.

Create your personalized exhibitor list: Search for companies by product category, booth number, or company name. Build a customized list of must-visit exhibitors aligned with your networking objectives. The platform lets you save these lists and access them via mobile app during the show.

Research exhibitor personnel: Many exhibitor profiles list key staff members attending the show. Identify specific individuals you want to meet and note their roles. This allows you to ask booth staff for specific people rather than accepting whoever happens to be available.

Plan your traffic flow: Use the floor plan to group nearby exhibitors together. This prevents wasted time crisscrossing the expo floor and helps you maintain energy for quality conversations rather than exhausting yourself with logistics.

Identify quiet zones: Note locations of seating areas, cafes, and less-trafficked corners. These become valuable spots for continuing conversations away from booth noise or conducting impromptu meetings with connections you make.

Optimize Your Session Schedule for Networking

With 600+ sessions, you could spend the entire conference in education mode and miss networking entirely. Instead, select sessions strategically to maximize both learning and connection opportunities.

Choose sessions by audience, not just topic: Ask yourself who will attend this session, not just what it covers. A session on "AI in Clinical Workflows" attracts different attendees than "Optimizing Revenue Cycle with AI," even though both address artificial intelligence. Select sessions where you'll meet people aligned with your networking objectives.

Prioritize smaller workshops over large keynotes: The new one-hour workshop format creates intimate environments perfect for networking. A 50-person workshop allows you to meet fellow attendees; a 2,000-person keynote does not. If given the choice, lean toward smaller, interactive sessions.

Leave strategic gaps in your schedule: Don't book back-to-back sessions from 8 AM to 6 PM. Build in 90-minute blocks for expo floor networking, coffee meetings with new connections, and yes, even rest. An exhausted networker is an ineffective networker.

Identify "connector sessions": Some sessions attract natural connectors—people actively building healthcare IT communities. Examples include sessions on user group leadership, industry collaboration initiatives, or emerging standards development. These sessions introduce you to people who themselves have extensive networks.

Prepare Your Personal Introduction

You'll introduce yourself dozens of times at HIMSS26. An awkward, rambling introduction kills networking opportunities before they begin. Prepare three versions of your introduction, each suited to different contexts.

The 10-second elevator pitch: For quick expo floor encounters or crowded receptions, you need a concise introduction that invites follow-up questions. Format: Name, organization, what you're focused on right now.

Example: "Hi, I'm Sarah Chen from Memorial Health System. I'm leading our Epic optimization project and always interested in meeting others working on physician adoption challenges."

The 30-second version: For more relaxed settings like The Park or coffee conversations, expand slightly to include context and specific interests.

Example: "I'm Sarah Chen, Clinical Informatics Director at Memorial Health System, a 400-bed facility in Ohio. We went live with Epic last year, and I'm focused on improving physician satisfaction with our ambulatory workflows. I'm at HIMSS specifically to connect with organizations that have successfully increased CPOE compliance and reduced clicks in outpatient settings."

The conversation starter: For executive receptions or VIP events, lead with a question or shared interest rather than a traditional introduction.

Example: "I noticed you speaking with the PointClickCare team—are you exploring post-acute care integration too? I'm Sarah Chen from Memorial Health, and we're trying to solve the same challenge."

Write out all three versions and practice them until they feel natural, not scripted.

Leverage Social Media for Pre-Conference Networking

Your HIMSS networking begins before March 9. Healthcare IT professionals actively use LinkedIn and Twitter/X to coordinate conference plans, share session recommendations, and arrange meetups.

Engage with the #HIMSS26 hashtag: Follow and contribute to pre-conference conversations. Share what sessions you're excited about, ask questions about specific topics, and respond to others' posts. This visibility helps people recognize you when you meet in person.

Connect with speakers and panelists: Review the session catalog and identify speakers presenting on topics relevant to your objectives. Send LinkedIn connection requests mentioning their upcoming session: "Looking forward to your HIMSS presentation on interoperability—hope to connect in Las Vegas to discuss further."

Join HIMSS online communities: Many HIMSS chapters and special interest groups maintain active online communities. Participate in pre-conference discussions and identify members you'd like to meet face-to-face.

Announce your attendance: Post your own HIMSS plans: "Heading to HIMSS26 focused on AI applications in clinical documentation. Who else is exploring this space? Let's connect." This attracts relevant connections to you.

Choose the Right Registration Tier

Your registration choice directly impacts networking access. HIMSS26 offers several tiers, each providing different networking opportunities.

Conference Plus Pass provides full access to exhibitions and most sessions—sufficient for general networking needs.

Premier Access Upgrade adds hot buffet access (great for informal lunch networking), premium keynote seating (easier to meet others in less-crowded sections), and speaker meet-and-greets (direct access to thought leaders).

Provider Executive Pass includes the CXO Experience and Executive Summit—exclusive events designed specifically for executive-level networking. If you need to connect with health system C-suite leaders, this tier is worth the investment.

Single-Day Passes work if you're focused solely on expo floor networking and can't justify multi-day attendance. However, the best networking often happens outside exhibition hours at evening events and morning sessions.

The Executive Plus Package includes access to the Tuesday evening VIP Networking Event—one of the most valuable networking opportunities of the conference, featuring curated introductions and a more intimate setting than the main opening celebration.

Opening Celebration Strategy: Making the Most of the Formula 1-Themed Kickoff

The Opening Celebration at Caesars Forum (Monday, March 9, 5-7 PM) serves as your first major networking opportunity and sets the tone for the entire conference. The Formula 1 theme creates a relaxed, energetic atmosphere quite different from the business-focused expo floor environment.

Arrive Early and Stay Late

The opening celebration runs for two hours, but the networking value distributes unevenly. The first 30 minutes (5:00-5:30 PM) and final 30 minutes (6:30-7:00 PM) offer the best connection opportunities.

Early arrivals tend to be serious networkers—people who prioritize relationship-building over free drinks. The crowd is smaller, noise levels are lower, and people actively seek conversations. Arrive at 4:45 PM if possible.

The final 30 minutes attract a different valuable group: those who skip out early from other commitments to catch the tail end of the celebration. These are often executives who had conflicting obligations but made time specifically for networking. They're motivated, focused, and easy to approach as the general crowd thins.

The middle hour (5:30-6:30 PM) becomes crowded and loud—challenging for meaningful conversations. Use this time for quick reconnections with existing contacts rather than attempting deep conversations with new connections.

Use the Formula 1 Theme as Your Conversation Starter

Themed events provide built-in conversation starters. Use the Formula 1 elements naturally:

• "This F1 theme is great—do you follow Formula 1, or is HIMSS just getting you interested?"
• "The pit stop setup over there is impressive. Have you had a chance to check out the exhibition areas yet?"
• "They really committed to this racing theme. I'm curious how they'll incorporate it into the rest of the week."

These light openers break the ice and naturally transition into professional topics. Sports and event design are universal conversation territory—safe, engaging, and easy to build from.

Position Yourself Strategically

Your physical position dramatically impacts networking success. Avoid common positioning mistakes:

Don't camp at the bar: Yes, people naturally gather near drinks, but you'll mostly meet other people avoiding real networking. The bar area becomes crowded and makes conversation difficult.

Don't sit down: Seated areas signal "taking a break from networking." Standing indicates openness to conversations. If you must sit to rest, do so briefly at high-traffic locations where others might join you.

Do position near interactive elements: Formula 1-themed installations, photo opportunities, or demonstration areas attract attendees and provide natural conversation triggers. Stand nearby these elements and comment on them to start conversations.

Do patrol transition zones: Areas between registration, main celebration space, and exits create natural encounter points. People moving between zones are often alone and open to conversations.

Master the Group Joining Technique

The opening celebration features many small conversation groups. Joining these groups appropriately requires finesse.

Look for groups of three or four people standing in open formations (not tight circles). Position yourself at the edge of the conversational space and make eye contact with one member while listening to the conversation. When someone acknowledges you, smile and say, "Mind if I join you? I'm flying solo tonight and this looked like an interesting conversation."

Most groups welcome additions at networking events. If they don't, you'll know immediately and can politely move on without awkwardness.

Alternatively, join someone else who's alone. This is easier and often more productive. Look for individuals scanning the room or checking their phones—they're likely also seeking connections. Simple approach: "First time at HIMSS? I'm always looking for friendly faces at these opening events."

Have an Exit Strategy

Knowing how to gracefully exit conversations is as important as starting them. You can't spend the entire two hours with the first person you meet.

Effective exit lines for the opening celebration:

• "This has been great—I want to make sure I connect with a few other people tonight, but let's definitely continue this conversation during the week. Are you attending the Tuesday afternoon sessions?"
• "I need to grab some food before it disappears, but I'd love to hear more about your Epic implementation. Could we schedule coffee Tuesday morning?"
• "I promised a colleague I'd introduce them to some people here. Let's exchange info—I'll send you that article I mentioned about interoperability standards."

The key is showing genuine interest while providing a legitimate reason to circulate. Never ghost someone mid-conversation—always acknowledge the conversation's value and establish a potential follow-up.

Expo Floor Networking: Strategies for The Park, AI Area, and Major Vendor Booths

The exhibition floor (March 10-12, 10 AM - 5 PM) presents HIMSS26's greatest networking opportunity and biggest challenge. With 950+ exhibitors, you'll encounter thousands of potential connections while battling noise, fatigue, and information overload.

The Park: Your Primary Discovery and Networking Zone

Allocate significant time to The Park in Venetian Expo Hall G. This dedicated space for emerging companies offers unmatched networking advantages.

Why The Park deserves priority attention:

Accessibility to decision-makers: Unlike major vendor booths where sales reps shield executives, The Park exhibitors often feature founders and C-level leaders directly staffing booths. You're not networking with booth staff—you're connecting with actual decision-makers.

Longer conversations: Emerging companies typically have less booth traffic, allowing for substantive 15-20 minute conversations rather than rushed 5-minute pitches. This depth enables real relationship-building.

Innovation focus: If you're exploring cutting-edge solutions rather than established market leaders, The Park concentrates exactly who you need to meet. AI applications, novel interoperability approaches, and emerging cybersecurity solutions cluster here.

Natural networking hub: The Park's design includes comfortable seating areas and more open layout, encouraging spontaneous conversations between attendees, not just with exhibitors. You'll meet fellow innovation-focused professionals exploring the same space.

The Park networking tactics:

Visit during off-peak hours (10-11 AM or 4-5 PM) when booth staff are less overwhelmed and can give you proper attention. Mid-day hours bring maximum traffic and minimum conversation depth.

Use the clustering strategy: Many similar companies locate near each other. After visiting one AI documentation vendor, ask, "Who else in this area is doing interesting work in clinical documentation?" Booth staff often know their neighbors and can provide warm introductions.

Offer value first: Emerging companies need customer insights, market feedback, and user perspectives. Rather than just collecting information, share your challenges and ask how they might approach them. This consultative approach builds relationships, not just contact lists.

Schedule follow-up on the spot: Don't wait until after the conference to follow up with interesting companies. Schedule specific meeting times for later in the conference: "This solution looks promising for our documentation challenges. Are you free for coffee Wednesday morning at 8 AM to discuss implementation considerations?"

AI-Dedicated Area Strategy

The AI-Dedicated Area attracts HIMSS26's most forward-thinking attendees—precisely who you want to meet if artificial intelligence figures into your networking objectives. However, this area will also be crowded given AI's current prominence in healthcare technology.

Navigate AI area networking strategically:

Attend AI-focused sessions first, network in the area second: Build foundational knowledge from educational sessions, then apply that context to vendor conversations. You'll ask better questions and have more substantive discussions.

Focus on application-specific vendors: General AI platforms attract massive crowds. Vendors focusing on specific applications (radiology AI, documentation AI, clinical decision support) have more qualified traffic and better conversation opportunities.

Network with other attendees, not just vendors: The people exploring AI vendors are your target network—fellow healthcare IT professionals evaluating AI strategies. Start conversations with people waiting for booth demos: "Have you had a chance to see their solution yet? I'm trying to understand how it compares to [competitor]."

Join scheduled demonstrations: Many AI vendors run scheduled demos every 30-60 minutes. These small group presentations naturally facilitate networking with other attendees, and the structured format makes post-demo conversations easy: "What did you think of that approach to training data?"

Major Vendor Booth Strategy

Epic, Oracle Health, eClinicalWorks, MEDITECH, PointClickCare, Siemens Healthineers, and Philips operate massive booths that function differently than smaller exhibitors. Your networking approach must adjust accordingly.

Schedule appointments in advance: Major vendors book their executive calendars weeks before HIMSS. Don't expect walk-up access to senior leadership. Contact your account representative or sales team before the conference to schedule specific meeting times.

Network with other customers, not just vendor staff: Major vendors often host customer appreciation events or user group meetups adjacent to their booths. These represent your best networking opportunity—connecting with fellow customers facing similar implementation challenges.

Attend vendor-sponsored sessions and receptions: Major vendors host private sessions, workshops, and evening receptions. These controlled environments offer better networking than crowded expo floor booths. Ask your account team about invitation-only events.

Use the booth as a meeting point: Large, prominent booths make excellent landmarks for meeting connections made elsewhere. "Let's meet at the Epic booth at 2 PM" is easy to execute; "Let's meet somewhere in Hall C" is not.

Emerge Innovation Experience and Interop+ Smart Experience Pavilion

These specialized areas attract specific professional communities—clinical innovators for Emerge, interoperability specialists for Interop+. If these align with your networking objectives, prioritize time here.

Both pavilions tend to be less crowded than main expo halls while concentrating highly relevant professionals. This combination creates ideal networking conditions—qualified connections without overwhelming traffic.

Networking approach for specialized pavilions:

• Spend longer periods here rather than quick walk-throughs. The concentrated expertise rewards deeper exploration.
• Attend any presentations or demonstrations within these areas. The audiences self-select for specific interests.
• Ask exhibitors about industry working groups or standards committees. These specialized areas attract active committee participants—natural connectors to broader professional communities.
• Look for academic medical center representatives. Teaching hospitals often showcase innovation projects in these pavilions and are particularly open to peer networking.

General Expo Floor Networking Tactics

Beyond specific areas, these tactics improve networking throughout the exhibition floor:

Travel light: Minimize what you carry. Heavy bags, multiple tote bags full of vendor swag, and bulky coats impede networking. Bring only essentials: phone, business cards, portable charger, small notebook. Check bags frequently at your hotel or use conference coat check.

Take strategic breaks: Don't power through seven straight hours on the expo floor. Schedule 15-minute breaks every 90 minutes. Step outside, grab coffee, rest in quiet areas. Fatigue kills networking effectiveness.

Network during transitions: Some of your best connections happen in expo floor aisles, not at booths. Make eye contact with others, comment on crowd size or interesting exhibits, ask for recommendations: "I'm trying to find vendors focused on patient engagement—have you seen any interesting booths?"

Qualify before you commit time: Not every booth conversation needs to be 20 minutes. A brief 3-minute exchange can determine if there's mutual value in continuing. Use qualifying questions early: "What specific problems does your solution address? Who are your typical customers?" If there's no fit, politely exit and preserve energy for better opportunities.

Use badge scanning appropriately: Vendors scan badges to capture contact information. Be selective about who scans your badge—you'll receive mountains of follow-up email. When genuinely interested, allow scanning and mention specific topics to discuss in follow-up. When not interested, politely decline: "I'm still in early research phase—I'll reach out directly if I'd like more information."

Maximizing the 600+ Educational Sessions for Networking

Educational sessions aren't just learning opportunities—they're curated networking events gathering people with specific shared interests. Strategic session attendance multiplies your networking effectiveness.

The Before-Session Networking Window

Arrive 10-15 minutes early to every session. This window offers concentrated networking opportunity with a highly qualified audience.

Early arrivers are serious about the topic—they prioritize learning over sleeping in or lingering over breakfast. These are exactly the engaged professionals you want to meet.

Conversation starters for pre-session networking:

• "What brought you to this session? I'm interested in [specific topic] and hoping to hear practical implementation experience."
• "Have you seen this speaker present before? A colleague recommended this session."
• "Are you attending any other sessions today on [related topic]? I'm trying to decide between a few options this afternoon."

Choose strategic seating: Don't sit in the back corner or immediately next to friends. Sit in the front third of the room (shows engagement), on an aisle (easier to exit for next appointment), with an empty seat beside you (invites others to join). When someone sits next to you, simple introduction: "Hi, I'm Alex—first time attending this speaker's sessions."

During-Session Networking Techniques

Obviously, don't disrupt the session by networking during presentations. However, use session time strategically:

Take notes on potential connections: Speaker mentions a successful Epic optimization project? Note the organization and presenter name. Q&A participant asks insightful question about AI governance? Note their name from their introduction. These become your post-session contact targets.

Prepare questions: Asking questions during Q&A establishes you as an engaged participant and makes you memorable. Others seeking connections on that topic will approach you afterward. Keep questions concise and specific—showcasing expertise rather than filling airtime.

Participate in interactive elements: Workshops often include small group discussions or hands-on exercises. Fully engage with these activities. The people in your breakout group become natural connections.

The Critical Post-Session Networking Window

The 10 minutes immediately following a session presents networking gold. Everyone just shared a common experience, conversation topics abound, and the crowd is concentrated before dispersing.

Approach the speaker: If the presentation was valuable, thank the speaker personally and ask one specific follow-up question. Exchange business cards and mention where you'd like to continue the conversation: "This really resonated with our implementation challenges. Could I follow up by email with some specific questions?"

Don't monopolize speaker time—others want access too. Keep it to 2-3 minutes unless the speaker clearly has time and interest for longer conversation.

Connect with active Q&A participants: The people asking questions are engaged and knowledgeable. Approach them: "I appreciated your question about interoperability standards—that's exactly what we're wrestling with. Do you have a few minutes to chat?"

Form post-session discussion groups: Rather than one-on-one conversations, suggest continuing the discussion with several interested attendees: "Anyone want to grab coffee and continue this conversation? I'd love to hear how others are approaching these challenges." Groups often lead to multiple valuable connections.

Walk and talk: If you're heading to another session or the expo floor, invite someone to walk with you. This extends the conversation beyond the session room and feels natural: "I'm heading to The Park—want to walk together and continue discussing your implementation timeline?"

One Hour Workshop Strategy

The new one-hour workshop format changes session networking dynamics. The shorter runtime means less depth but more frequency—more session transitions throughout the day, creating more networking windows.

Maximize one-hour workshops for networking:

• Attend multiple workshops in sequence on related topics. You'll encounter the same interested professionals across sessions, making conversations easier with repeated exposure.
• Use workshops as conversation starters for later connections: "We met at the morning workshop on AI governance—I wanted to follow up on your comment about policy frameworks."
• The compressed format means speakers may be more accessible for longer post-session conversations, having only presented for an hour versus multi-hour sessions.

Evening Events and Reception Networking

Evening events often produce HIMSS26's most valuable networking outcomes. People are more relaxed, time pressure decreases, and the social atmosphere encourages authentic conversation. However, evening networking requires different strategies than expo floor interactions.

Tuesday Evening VIP Networking Event (Executive Plus Package)

If you invested in the Executive Plus Package, the Tuesday evening VIP Networking Event represents your highest-value networking opportunity of the entire conference. This curated event gathers healthcare IT's executive leadership in an intimate setting.

Prepare specifically for this event: Don't treat it casually. Research other attendees if a list is provided. Prepare your executive-level introduction focusing on strategic initiatives, not technical details. Update your LinkedIn profile before the event—people will look you up immediately after meeting you.

Arrive on time: VIP events have limited attendance, making latecomers conspicuous. Early arrival demonstrates respect for others' time and maximizes your networking window.

Focus on quality over quantity: You're not trying to meet everyone in the room. Three deep conversations with strategically valuable connections outperform 15 superficial exchanges. Identify your top target connections and prioritize those conversations.

Bring business cards and something better: Business cards are table stakes. Also bring a simple leave-behind that adds value—perhaps a one-page summary of a successful project, a useful industry resource list, or an invitation to an upcoming webinar your organization is hosting. This differentiates you from the card-only crowd.

Practice executive-level conversation: Executive networking focuses on strategic challenges, organizational transformation, and leadership perspectives—not technical implementation details. Prepare to discuss board-level priorities, organizational change management, and strategic positioning rather than software features.

Vendor-Hosted Evening Events

Major vendors and many emerging companies host evening receptions, dinners, and entertainment events. These vary from intimate customer dinners to large-scale parties.

Prioritize customer-only events: A vendor-hosted event exclusively for current customers offers exceptional peer networking. You're meeting other organizations using the same technology, facing similar challenges, and likely open to sharing experiences. These events build your professional network while simultaneously improving your vendor relationship.

Smaller events beat large parties: A 30-person dinner enables conversation with most attendees. A 500-person cocktail party becomes overwhelming. When possible, choose intimate events over massive receptions.

Don't over-commit: You'll receive numerous evening event invitations. Attending four events in one evening, spending 30 minutes at each, produces minimal networking value. Better to commit fully to one event than superficially touch many.

Bring colleagues strategically: If you attend an evening event with colleagues, divide and conquer. Each person focuses on different conversations, then reconvenes to share connections and insights. This multiplies your effective networking reach.

Informal Evening Networking

Not all evening networking happens at official events. Las Vegas offers countless opportunities for informal connection.

Hotel lobby and bar networking: The Venetian, Caesars, and Wynn lobbies will be filled with HIMSS attendees. Simply sitting in lobby areas often leads to spontaneous valuable conversations. Hotel bars near conference venues become unofficial networking hubs.

Organize your own events: Don't wait for formal invitations. Organize informal gatherings: "Heading to [restaurant] at 7 PM Tuesday—anyone interested in joining?" Post these invitations to social media or message people you've met during the day. Even attracting 3-4 people creates valuable conversation.

Leverage Las Vegas dining: Dinner becomes a networking opportunity. Rather than dining solo or only with colleagues, invite new connections: "A group of us is trying [restaurant] tonight—would you like to join?" Shared meals build relationships faster than standing receptions.

Healthcare-Specific Conversation Starters and Topics

Generic networking conversation starters fall flat in specialized contexts. Healthcare IT professionals want to discuss industry-specific challenges, not weather and sports. Master these healthcare-focused conversation approaches.

Conversation Starters for Different Roles

For Clinical Informatics Professionals:

• "How is your organization approaching physician burnout related to EHR workflows?"
• "What's your strategy for getting clinicians engaged with new documentation tools?"
• "Have you seen any creative approaches to reducing alert fatigue while maintaining safety?"
• "How are you balancing optimization of your current EHR versus evaluating new technology?"

For IT Leaders and CIOs:

• "What's your biggest technology initiative for 2026?"
• "How is your organization thinking about AI governance and oversight?"
• "What's your approach to recruiting and retaining healthcare IT talent in this market?"
• "How do you balance innovation with operational stability in your environment?"

For Revenue Cycle Professionals:

• "How are you preparing for upcoming reimbursement model changes?"
• "What's working for you in reducing claim denials and accelerating collections?"
• "Are you exploring AI applications in prior authorization or coding?"
• "How do you measure the ROI on revenue cycle technology investments?"

For Cybersecurity Professionals:

• "How has your security strategy evolved given the healthcare ransomware environment?"
• "What's your approach to third-party vendor security assessments?"
• "How do you balance security requirements with clinical workflow needs?"
• "What security frameworks or standards guide your healthcare security program?"

For Interoperability Specialists:

• "How is your organization approaching TEFCA implementation?"
• "What's been most challenging about achieving bidirectional data exchange with community partners?"
• "Are you seeing value from FHIR implementations, or is it still more promise than practice?"
• "How do you prioritize which interoperability gaps to address first?"

Universal Healthcare IT Conversation Topics

Some topics work across all healthcare IT roles:

AI and its impact: "How is your organization thinking about artificial intelligence—strategic priority or cautious experimentation?" This opens discussion on governance, use cases, vendor evaluation, and organizational readiness.

Regulatory and policy changes: "What recent regulatory changes are impacting your planning?" Healthcare IT constantly adapts to evolving requirements, making this perpetually relevant.

Vendor relationship management: "How do you approach strategic vendor partnerships versus transactional vendor relationships?" This reveals organizational philosophy and often leads to vendor recommendation sharing.

Pandemic lessons and adaptations: "What technology changes from the pandemic are you keeping versus retiring?" Most organizations still process pandemic-driven changes, and sharing these experiences builds quick rapport.

Staffing and organizational challenges: "How is your team structured, and how has that evolved recently?" IT staffing challenges are universal, making this a reliable conversation topic.

Questions to Avoid

Certain questions derail healthcare IT networking conversations:

Don't lead with vendor bashing: "Can you believe how terrible [vendor] is?" might get agreement, but it positions you negatively. Focus on positive framing: "What's working well in your technology environment?"

Avoid overly broad questions: "How's everything going?" is too general for substantive conversation. Ask specific questions that invite detailed responses.

Don't immediately ask for favors: "Can you introduce me to your CIO?" before establishing rapport is premature. Build the relationship first, then explore how you might help each other.

Skip competitive interrogation: "What EHR do you use? What did it cost? How many users?" feels like vendor research, not networking. If you need this information, frame it contextually: "We're exploring EHR optimization strategies—what's been your experience with physician adoption?"

Las Vegas Logistics: Hotels, Transportation, and Multi-Venue Navigation

Practical logistics directly impact networking effectiveness. Poor planning means missed meetings, late arrivals, and exhaustion that kills your ability to connect effectively.

Hotel Selection Strategy

Your hotel choice affects networking success more than you might expect.

Stay at a conference venue hotel: The Venetian, Caesars Palace (connected to Caesars Forum), or Wynn put you at conference epicenters. Benefits include:

• Zero commute time—you can return to your room for quick breaks without losing 45 minutes
• Spontaneous evening networking—hotel lobbies and bars fill with attendees
• Never missing meetings due to transportation delays
• Easy to refresh throughout the day—critical for evening networking energy

The Venetian makes the most sense for most attendees: It hosts the primary exhibition halls including The Park. If you're focusing on expo floor networking, staying elsewhere means daily commutes during your highest-value networking time.

The Wynn works for session-focused attendees: If your networking strategy prioritizes educational sessions over expo floor time, the Wynn's proximity to many session locations helps.

Caesars/Caesars Forum for executive attendees: Provider Executive Pass holders attending CXO Experience events benefit from Caesars proximity.

Off-Strip hotels save money but cost time: Budget-friendly hotels further from venues require transportation coordination. That 15-minute Uber ride becomes 30+ minutes during peak conference hours with traffic. Daily transportation easily consumes 90+ minutes—time better spent networking.

Transportation Between Venues

HIMSS26's three-venue structure requires transportation planning.

Walking distances: The Venetian to Wynn is approximately 0.7 miles (15-minute walk). The Venetian to Caesars Forum is about 1.5 miles (30-minute walk). These are walkable in good weather, though Vegas heat (even in March) can be challenging. Walking also takes you off the Strip's climate-controlled environment.

Rideshare strategy: Uber and Lyft work well but surge pricing hits during morning/evening peaks. Budget extra time—pickup location coordination in massive casino hotels adds delays. Request rides 10 minutes earlier than you think necessary.

Conference shuttles: HIMSS typically provides shuttle service between venues. These save money but run on fixed schedules. Don't rely on shuttles for time-critical meetings—a full shuttle might pass you by, causing 15-30 minute delays.

Walking the long indoor route: You can walk between venues largely indoors via casino connections, though it's longer and potentially disorienting. The Venetian connects to The Palazzo, which connects to Wynn. This route avoids outdoor weather but adds time and complexity.

Build in buffer time: Schedule 30 minutes minimum for inter-venue transitions. Attempting back-to-back sessions at different venues guarantees late arrivals and missed networking opportunities.

Energy and Schedule Management

Multi-day conferences are marathons, not sprints. Your Tuesday evening networking effectiveness depends on Monday's rest decisions.

Schedule downtime: Block at least one 90-minute period daily for rest. Return to your room, avoid screens, actually rest. This isn't wasted time—it's energy investment for better networking performance.

Eat properly: Skipping meals to attend more sessions leads to energy crashes. Schedule proper meals, even if that means skipping a less-critical session. Low blood sugar kills networking effectiveness.

Limit evening alcohol: Evening events serve alcohol, and it's tempting to drink more in a Las Vegas environment. But tomorrow's morning sessions require clear thinking. Pace yourself—successful networking doesn't require drinking, and overconsumption sabotages next-day performance.

Morning routines matter: Don't sacrifice sleep for early morning emails. Better to skip morning email and arrive at sessions energized than arrive exhausted having "gotten work done."

Wear comfortable shoes: This seems obvious but bears repeating. You'll walk 6-8 miles daily on expo floors. Uncomfortable shoes create fatigue, foot pain, and reduced networking effectiveness. Prioritize comfort over style.

Follow-Up Strategy: Turning Conversations Into Relationships

Most conference networking fails not during the event, but in follow-up. You collect 50 business cards, return home with good intentions, and never contact anyone. Or worse, you send generic "nice to meet you" emails that go nowhere.

Effective follow-up converts conference conversations into lasting professional relationships. Here's how to execute it systematically.

During-Conference Contact Management

Follow-up begins during conversations, not after returning home.

Take meaningful notes immediately: After each significant conversation, spend 60 seconds capturing: person's name and organization, key topics discussed, specific follow-up promised, and one personal detail. Do this immediately while memory is fresh—not at day's end when 15 conversations blur together.

Example note: "Sarah Chen, Memorial Health System, Epic optimization focused on reducing physician clicks in ambulatory, implementing AI documentation tool pilot Q2, mentioned daughter starting medical school, follow up with article on CPOE compliance strategies."

Use your phone's notes app, a small notebook, or business card backs—whatever system works for you. The key is capturing enough context to write meaningful follow-up.

Connect on LinkedIn during the conference: Send LinkedIn connection requests the same day you meet people, while they remember the conversation. Personalize the request: "Great discussing Epic optimization strategies at HIMSS today—looking forward to staying connected." This is much more effective than generic connection requests weeks later.

Schedule follow-up meetings before leaving the conference: For your most valuable connections, schedule specific next conversations while still face-to-face: "I'd like to continue this discussion after we've both returned. Can we schedule a video call for March 20th?" Pull out your calendars and set the meeting immediately. This commitment rate far exceeds post-conference scheduling attempts.

The 24-Hour Follow-Up Rule

Send personalized follow-up emails within 24 hours of meeting significant contacts. This timing keeps you memorable while demonstrating professionalism and genuine interest.

Template for general connections:

Subject: Great meeting you at HIMSS26 - [Specific Topic]

Hi [Name],

It was great connecting with you at HIMSS on [day] during [specific context—session, expo floor, The Park, etc.]. I really enjoyed our discussion about [specific topic you discussed].

[Reference something specific they said or a detail from your conversation—this proves you actually remember them specifically.]

[Provide value: share the resource you mentioned, answer the question they asked, or make the introduction you promised.]

I'd love to continue the conversation about [topic]. Would you be open to a brief call in the next few weeks? I'm particularly interested in learning more about [specific item].

Thanks again for taking the time to connect at HIMSS.

Best regards,
[Your name]

Template for vendor/solution provider connections:

Subject: Following up - [Your Organization] implementation discussion

Hi [Name],

Thank you for the demonstration of [solution] at your booth on [day]. I appreciated your team taking time to address our specific questions about [specific topic].

After discussing with my team, we're interested in exploring [specific aspect] further. Specifically, we'd like to understand:

[2-3 specific questions that show you're serious, not just collecting information]

Are you available for a call the week of [specific week] to discuss these items and potential next steps?

Best regards,
[Your name]

Template for peer connections:

Subject: Let's continue the [topic] conversation from HIMSS

Hi [Name],

I really enjoyed our conversation about [specific challenge] at [specific location/event] on [day]. It's clear we're facing very similar challenges with [topic].

As I mentioned, we recently [completed project / implemented solution / tried approach] that addressed [specific issue]. I'd be happy to share our experience and lessons learned if that would be helpful.

I'm also still thinking about your approach to [something they mentioned]. Would you be willing to share [specific resource, contact, or information they offered]?

Let's schedule a call to compare notes—I think we could both benefit from the discussion. How does [suggest specific time] work for you?

Thanks again for such a valuable conversation.

Best regards,
[Your name]

The Value-Add Follow-Up

The best follow-up emails provide value, not just maintain contact.

Examples of value-add follow-up:

• Send an article directly relevant to a challenge they mentioned
• Make an introduction to someone who can help with their specific issue
• Share a template, tool, or resource from your organization that addresses their need
• Forward information about a relevant upcoming webinar or event
• Provide answers to questions they asked during your conversation

This approach transforms you from "person I met at a conference" to "valuable professional contact." People maintain relationships with those who provide value.

The Long-Term Relationship Building

One follow-up email doesn't build a relationship. Long-term professional relationships require ongoing engagement.

Create a relationship maintenance system: Add valuable contacts to a CRM, spreadsheet, or contact management system. Set reminders to reach out quarterly or when you have relevant information to share.

Engage on social media: Comment on their LinkedIn posts, share their content, congratulate them on new roles or accomplishments. This maintains visibility without requiring constant direct contact.

Look for collaboration opportunities: Can you co-present at next year's HIMSS? Collaborate on a white paper? Invite them to speak at your organization's event? Active collaboration builds relationships faster than occasional emails.

Meet again at future events: When you see someone will attend the same conference, proactively reach out: "I see you're attending [event]—would you like to grab coffee there to continue our conversation from HIMSS?"

Provide introductions: When you meet someone who would benefit from connecting with a previous HIMSS contact, make the introduction. This positions you as a valuable connector.

Advanced Networking Strategies for Maximum Impact

Once you've mastered the fundamentals, these advanced strategies separate extraordinary networkers from competent ones.

The Connector Strategy

Rather than focusing solely on people who can help you, become someone who helps others connect. Connectors build powerful networks by providing value to everyone.

Practice active connecting at HIMSS26: When you meet someone seeking a specific solution, introduction, or information, think "Who in my network can help?" Then make that introduction, either immediately ("You should meet my colleague at the Epic booth—she solved exactly this problem") or via follow-up email.

Connectors develop reputations as valuable contacts. People maintain relationships with those who provide introductions and facilitate connections.

The Teaching Strategy

Position yourself as an educator, not just a networker. When discussing your work, frame it as lessons learned that might help others.

"We made several mistakes during our Epic implementation—let me share what we learned so you might avoid them" is more compelling than "We successfully implemented Epic." People remember those who teach them valuable lessons.

Look for opportunities to share knowledge: offer to present at user groups, write about your experiences, or mentor others facing similar challenges. This builds your reputation and expands your network organically.

The Collaboration Strategy

Propose concrete collaboration during networking conversations, not just vague "let's stay in touch."

Examples of collaboration proposals:

• "Our organizations are both implementing AI documentation—should we schedule quarterly calls to share learnings?"
• "You're ahead of us in Epic optimization—could we arrange a site visit to see your physician training approach?"
• "We should co-present at next year's HIMSS on this topic—combining our different approaches would make a compelling session."
• "Would your organization be interested in joining our informal CIO peer group? We meet monthly via video."

Specific collaboration opportunities create structure for ongoing relationships.

The Preparation Strategy

Research key attendees before HIMSS26 and prepare specifically for those conversations.

If you know a specific healthcare system is attending, research their recent news, technology initiatives, and leadership changes. This preparation enables more substantive conversations: "I saw your organization recently announced the MEDITECH implementation—how's that progressing?" is much stronger than "So, what brings you to HIMSS?"

For vendor conversations, research their recent product announcements, customer wins, and industry positioning. Informed questions get more valuable responses than generic inquiries.

The Vulnerability Strategy

Counterintuitively, sharing challenges and failures often builds stronger connections than showcasing only successes.

"We're really struggling with physician adoption of our new documentation tools—have you found anything that works?" invites authentic conversation and mutual problem-solving. It's more engaging than "Our implementation went perfectly."

People connect with authenticity. Admitting challenges, seeking help, and acknowledging what you don't know builds trust faster than projecting flawless expertise.

Making HIMSS26 Your Most Successful Conference

The HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition offers unmatched healthcare IT networking opportunities—but only if you approach it strategically. The difference between collecting 100 business cards you never contact and building 10 relationships that advance your career comes down to preparation, execution, and follow-through.

Start now: Define your specific networking objectives for HIMSS26. Research the interactive floor plan at himss26.mapyourshow.com. Select sessions by who attends them, not just what they cover. Prepare your introduction. Engage with #HIMSS26 conversations on social media.

During the conference: Prioritize The Park for emerging company discovery and intimate networking. Use the AI-Dedicated Area to connect with forward-thinking peers. Master the pre-session and post-session networking windows during educational sessions. Attend the Opening Celebration strategically, arriving early and staying late. Invest in evening networking while maintaining energy for multi-day effectiveness.

After the conference: Execute 24-hour follow-up on your most valuable connections. Provide value in every follow-up communication. Build systems for long-term relationship maintenance. Look for active collaboration opportunities, not just occasional contact.

HIMSS26 brings together 28,000+ healthcare IT professionals from 88 countries—an extraordinary concentration of expertise, experience, and potential collaboration. The networking opportunities are there. Your success depends on how strategically you pursue them.

See you in Las Vegas, March 9-12, 2026. Make it count.