Making the Most of HLTH 2023: Your Personal A Roadmap

Navigating large-scale conferences like HLTH 2023 can be an overwhelming endeavor, but with proper planning, you can make the most of your experience. Here are some steps to help you maximize your time at the conference.

Pick Up Your Badge On Sunday! (Monday Will Be Chaos)

Badge pickup locations are spread across various points for the convenience of attendees. This year, 2023, you can collect your badge from multiple locations - Resorts World on Sunday, October 8, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT or from Wynn from Monday, October 9, to Wednesday, October 11, from 7:30 AM to 5:45 PM PDT. Having your badge handy will grant you access to various sessions, exhibits, and networking events.

Create A Game Plan For Everyday But Have Time for Serendipity

Pay special attention to panel discussions and keynotes relevant to your field of work or interest. For instance, if you're interested in digital therapeutics, attend the session titled 'Digital Therapeutics: From Funding to Revenue Generation - A Strategy for Today's Game'.

Also look out for Partner Programs and Insight Programs that offer deep dives into specific topics. The program 'Why Look Outside the US for Healthcare Innovation: The Australian Opportunity' may be especially interesting for those looking for international healthcare opportunities.

Remember: Relationship Building Is A Long Game

Leverage cocktail hours, such as the "Welcome Reception" on October 8 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM PDT, for informal networking. Also, consider attending industry-specific meetups - such as the "Latino @ HLTH Meetup" and "Women @ HLTH Reception" - to connect with like-minded professionals in your field.

Don't forget to take advantage of networking sessions and roundtable discussions that foster dialogue and exchange of ideas. Lastly, remember that sometimes the best networking happens in between sessions, during breaks or even at social gatherings after the conference hours. Be open to sparking up conversations wherever you are – you never know who you might meet!

3 Pro Tips You'll Thank Us Later

Having been to all HLTH conferences since the first one, here are three pro tips:

  • Bring lotion + eye drops (and maybe Myrkl): if you are from the Coasts, the air in Vegas is very dry, coupled with the smokiness of walking inside the casinos, lotion and eyedrops are your friend to prevent dehydration and redness. Heavy drinking from networking events is inevitable, pre-drinking pills with engineered bacteria like Myrkl proved to be helpful year after year.
  • Do NOT underestimate walking distance: while Vegas seems small on the map, walking across the street from the hotel to the conference center can take a cool 15-20 mins, even more if you have to cross the highway because you have to find a cross bridge. Bring extra supportive running or walking sneakers.
  • It's a marathon, not a sprint: I have seen so many people going all out the first night (Sunday) just to become zombies for the rest of the trip. Try to pace yourself and learn how to manage your internal FOMO. It's quality over quantity.

Other resources:

- HLTH Conference 2023: List of Events & Parties

- 4 Sample HLTH 2023 Itineraries for Investors, Founders, Lead Generators

Ask These 3 Questions Before Coming Up With A Game Plan for HLTH

1.Why Am I Here?

To maximize your experience at HLTH 2023, it's crucial to first identify your personal and professional goals for attending the conference. Are you looking to gain insights into the latest trends in digital therapeutics or understand international healthcare opportunities? Perhaps you're interested in exploring mental health innovation or learning about implementing virtual care.

Once you've established your goals, use them to guide your selection of sessions to attend. The agenda is filled with a diverse range of topics, from systemic health innovation showcases to discussions about equity in healthcare design. By aligning your conference schedule with your objectives, you'll ensure that the sessions you attend are relevant and valuable to your goals.

2. I Have Been Wanting To Meet _____ For A Long Time.

HLTH 2023 boasts an impressive lineup of speakers from various sectors within the healthcare industry. Researching these speakers in advance can help you decide which sessions will be most beneficial for you.

For instance, if your goal is gaining insights into the potential of artificial intelligence in healthcare, you might consider attending sessions led by Dr. Nworah Ayogu, General Manager & Chief Medical Officer at Amazon Clinic, or Prateesh Maheshwari, Managing Director at Maverick Ventures. Both speakers have significant expertise in integrating AI into healthcare solutions, and their sessions could provide key insights into your area of interest.

Remember that speakers often bring their own perspectives and experiences to their talks, so selecting sessions based on speakers can provide a more tailored and insightful conference experience.

3. Education vs. Networking? Panels vs. Exhibit Floor vs. Parties?

While the educational panels and discussions at HLTH 2023 provide invaluable insights and learning opportunities, don't overlook the benefits of attending the social events that are also part of the agenda.

Functions such as the 'Welcome Reception', 'Innovators' Reception', and various meetups offer excellent opportunities for networking with other professionals in your field. You might find yourself discussing the day's panels over dinner, gaining a new perspective on a topic, or even forging connections that could lead to future collaborations.

A strategy for achieving this balance is planning your conference days with a mix of sessions and social activities. This would allow you to engage with the content in a meaningful way while also capitalizing on the networking opportunities the conference provides. The perfect ratio is 1:1 (you'll be surprised). 

How To Pace Yourself at HLTH?

Attending a conference as packed and high-paced as HLTH 2023 can be overwhelming, but it's essential to remember that pacing oneself is key to fully maximizing the experience. This includes everything from ensuring adequate rest, maintaining healthy habits and managing the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO).

Avoid Back-to-Back Sessions

HLTH 2023 agenda is filled with sessions running as early as 6:00 AM PDT with events such as "Win-Win Charity Yoga with BetterMe" and going on as late as 11:00 PM PDT with gatherings like the "Industry Night Reception". To ensure that you're at your best for every day of the conference, it's crucial to schedule downtime.

Plan your schedule ahead to avoid back-to-back sessions without breaks. Make sure you have enough time to recharge between sessions, even if it's just a quick breather before heading to the next event. Even though the conference is full of exciting opportunities, remember that it's alright to miss a session or two for a power nap or some quiet time.

Alternate Between High Octane and Low Octane Activities

Also crucial to maintaining your energy levels throughout HLTH 2023 is practicing healthy habits. Given the conference's long hours and high intensity, staying hydrated and eating nutritious meals can make a significant difference in your stamina and focus.

Take advantage of opportunities for exercise provided by the conference like the "Ultimate Sweat Party with Casey Sponsored by: Aaptiv (Fitness Class)" at 6:00 AM on October 9th and 10th. Regular physical activity can boost your energy levels, improve concentration, and reduce stress.

Sleep is another essential factor for staying healthy during the conference. While events like the "Innovators' Reception" may run late into the night, ensure you're getting enough sleep to recharge for the next day's line-up of activities.

Manage Your FOMO

With an extensive agenda full of simultaneous sessions, networking events, and parties, managing FOMO is an integral part of pacing yourself at HLTH 2023. It's important to remember that you can't attend every single session, and that's okay.

Prioritize sessions that are most relevant to your goals for the conference and let go of the rest. Use the HLTH Connect feature to pre-schedule meetings or sessions that you definitely don't want to miss. Also, remember that many of the sessions like "Digital Therapeutics: From Funding to Revenue Generation - A Strategy for Today’s Game" will be available post-conference for attendees.

Finally, remind yourself that it's about quality, not quantity. Engaging deeply in a few selected sessions can be more rewarding and productive than rushing through a multitude of events.

Sample 3-Day Itinerary For A Balanced HLTH 2023

Learning from experience and using the best practices above, we have designed a game plan for you to maximize HLTH without having to do it yourself. 

Day One: Sunday, October 8, 2023
TimeEventDescription
9:00 AM - 7:00 PMRegistration & Badge PickupStart your day early by registering and picking up your badge. Get acquainted with the conference layout to facilitate easy navigation later.
9:30 AM - 11:00 AMPartner ProgramsAttend the partner programs to understand the latest healthcare trends and strategies.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PMShow Floor HoursExplore the show floor and network with other attendees. Get insights into innovative healthcare technologies and solutions.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM"Digital Therapeutics: From Funding to Revenue Generation - A Strategy for Today’s Game"This session could provide useful insights if you're interested in digital therapeutics.
6:30 PM - 7:30 PMNetworking BreakConnect with peers and industry leaders over a coffee break.
7:00 PM - 9:00 PMWelcome ReceptionUnwind after a busy day by attending the welcome reception. A great opportunity to network in a relaxed setting.
Day Two: Monday, October 9, 2023
TimeEventDescription
6:00 AM - 7:00 AMUltimate Sweat Party with Casey sponsored by AaptivStart your day with an energizing fitness class.
9:00 AM - 10:20 AMVisit the Show FloorThis is a great time to visit booths that you missed on the first day or revisit those that caught your attention.
11:00 AM - 11:40 AM"Health Policy Past its Expiration Date"Attend this session to get insights into emerging healthcare policies.
2:50 PM - 3:10 PMHEALTH EQUITY IMPACT PROGRAMJoin this impactful program for a deeper understanding of health equity.
6:00 PM - 7:00 PMLatino @ HLTH MeetupJoin this meetup to connect with healthcare professionals and entrepreneurs in the Latino community.
8:00 PM - 11:00 PMIndustry Night Reception - Fat Joe + AshantiEnd your day by attending this industry night reception, featuring performances by Fat Joe and Ashanti.
Day Three: Tuesday, October 10, 2023
TimeEventDescription
6:00 AM - 7:00 AMWin-Win Charity Morning Yoga with BetterMeStart your day with a rejuvenating yoga session.
9:00 AM - 9:20 AMMain Stage"Living to 100: Evolving Healthcare Models to Ensure the Next Generation’s Longevity." Starting the day with a thoughtful discussion on longevity and healthcare models can provide useful insights.
11:00 AM - 12:30 PMStartup StageGet to know the latest innovations and startups in the healthcare space at the Startup Pitch Competition.
2:10 PM - 2:50 PMClinical Innovations PanelAttend this panel discussion to learn about the latest clinical innovations.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PMAAPI @ HLTH MeetupConnect with healthcare professionals and entrepreneurs in the AAPI community.
8:00 PM - 11:00 PMClosing ReceptionAttend the closing reception to wrap up your conference experience with music, dancing, and networking.