The Ultimate Guide to CHC18 — The Cerner Health Conference 2018
The Cerner Health Conference will take place in Kansas City from Oct 8-11th, bringing professional insight on the latest innovations in healthcare and information technology. This year’s conference, topping out at 90,000 square feet (bring comfortable shoes!), is packed with exciting features to help you stay ahead of the game and up to date on new and existing technology – including newcomer resources, special events, education, general & keynote sessions, a solution gallery, and plenty of networking opportunities.
Be inspired by cutting-edge innovations, and be prepared to connect directly with Cerner associates and partners. If you’re a registered attendee, you can download the conference mobile app, so you have the agenda at your fingertips. Ken Boyett, our Cerner Practice Leader at Healthcare IT Leaders, has attended several CHC conferences over the years and shares his top tips so you can make the best out of your conference experience this year.
Plan Visits to Industry Vendors
“To ensure you’re getting the most out of CHC 18’, it’s important to identify industry vendors you’d like to visit and learn more about,” says Ken Boyett, Cerner Practice Leader at Healthcare IT Leaders.
With over 100 exhibits by vendors such as Microsoft, IBM, and more, the Cerner Health Conference is a great chance for you to connect and network with professionals who have shared interests, journeys, and goals. Plan your visits accordingly, so you can network with your favorite companies, but also have time to wander and see in-person demos from these vendors of the latest tools and technologies.
Workshops You Don’t Want to Miss
Workshops and sessions offered at this year’s Cerner Health Conference will provide attendees with the opportunity to share ideas and insights with Cerner experts, drive next-level innovation, and network with peers based on your specialty. These workshops range from Cerner Physician Community, Revenue Management Symposium, Code Learning Labs, Cerner Behavioral Health Forum, and other special interest groups with hands-on learning. The best part about these workshops is… there’s no additional cost when you register for the conference!
Set a Networking Goal
“It’s impossible to meet everyone at the conference, but it is possible to set a goal for yourself to ensure you make meaningful connections and lasting impressions. Set a networking goal for yourself, and plan to have at least three meaningful conversations each day,” says Boyett.
Don’t forget to receive each person's contact information before ending the conversation. If by chance they don’t have a business card on them, ask to connect on LinkedIn or Twitter. This will not only make connections but will enrich your network as a whole so you can stay connected throughout the year.
Learn, Compare, and Share
Learning how others developed their professional career, comparing stories to make personal connections, and exchanging productivity tips are key to making interpersonal connections. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from Cerner experts to help deepen your career path – this shows you’re always ready for a new challenge!
“Asking those open-ended questions and really listening to your new colleague will show them that you are generally interested in getting to know them, rather than just exchanging a business card and calling it a day,” says Boyett.
Discover Kansas City
Staying at a nearby hotel? Stay on top of travel information and hotel shuttle times here. Most shuttles run every 20 minutes, but some are once per hour – so be sure to plan your travel arrangements to the conference accordingly. As a conference attendee, you’re eligible for discounts on rental cars and airfare.
Kansas City offers a variety of activities and endless food options. Looking to navigate through the city streets? Try the all-new (and free) streetcar or bike sharing program. Kansas City prides itself on being accessible to visitors, which you can learn more about here. Discover the city, wander around, meet new people, and most importantly, make the most out of your next adventure!
For live updates during the conference, follow @Cerner on Twitter and get even more details about the sessions and networking opportunities on their website here.
