The HLTH Conference: A Shift in Focus – From Substance to Spectacle in Healthcare Innovation
The healthcare industry is at a critical juncture.Facing unprecedented financial pressures, evolving patient expectations, and a constant need for demonstrable improvement, conferences like HLTH should be beacons of practical innovation. However, a recent experience at the 2025 HLTH conference raises serious questions about whether the event has lost sight of its core mission, prioritizing hype and self-promotion over tangible solutions. While HLTH aims to address “healthcare innovation and societal well-being,” the reality on the ground feels increasingly disconnected from the concrete needs of care delivery organizations.
For years, HIMSS served as the gold standard for healthcare conferences, offering presentations rigorously vetted for substance and evidence-based insights. HLTH, in contrast, feels increasingly driven by online visibility rather than demonstrable expertise. The overwhelming impression is one of opinion and vision, lacking the crucial foundation of proven results. This isn’t to say HLTH should mirror HIMSS’s academic rigor, but a balance is essential. Healthcare demands more than lofty goals; it requires practical, implementable strategies. We’ve witnessed countless well-funded companies attempt to “fix” healthcare, only to falter and disappear, a cautionary tale HLTH seems to ignore.
the Rise of the “Influencer” and the Erosion of Expertise
This year’s conference was particularly notable for the proliferation of “influencers” – a term I use with considerable reservation. Many appear more focused on cultivating thier personal brands than on contributing to genuine innovation. While some possess medical degrees, a concerning number lack completed residencies or board certifications, yet readily offer opinions on complex topics beyond their scope of practice. Their LinkedIn profiles boast advisory roles and startup affiliations, but discerning actual accomplishments from self-promotion proves challenging.
The recent controversy surrounding a group of “physician founders” traveling to the conference via private jet, funded by an anonymous sponsor, perfectly encapsulates this issue. The swift deletion of the associated social media posts following public criticism speaks volumes. It begs the question: how many attendees are actively engaged in patient care, and how much of the conference is simply a platform for self-aggrandizement?
HLTH actively encourages this influencer culture, offering free passes in exchange for a commitment to nine social media posts. This creates a visible cohort, more preoccupied with selfies and blocking access in the exhibit hall than with meaningful engagement.The dedicated “influencer lounge” further reinforces this prioritization of image over substance.
Beyond the Buzz: A Lack of Substance and respect for Buyers
The disconnect extends beyond the speaker lineup. I encountered numerous vendors unable to articulate a clear value proposition. A direct request for an elevator pitch from one CEO resulted in a gesture towards an iPad and a lengthy questionnaire – a clear indication of a lack of genuine engagement. Worse, despite holding budgetary authority, no one bothered to inquire about my association’s specific needs or challenges.
This lack of focus on genuine partnership is compounded by the pervasive rebranding efforts. Companies invest heavily in new logos and celebratory events, resources that could be far better allocated to employee development or supporting struggling healthcare organizations. Similarly, the flurry of corporate announcements frequently enough lack substance upon closer examination.
The Excess and Exclusion of HLTH’s Social Scene
The conference’s social events further contribute to the feeling of disconnect. The opening event at Topgolf, located far from the main conference area and requiring shuttle transportation, felt reminiscent of a bygone era of “business done on the golf course.” Industry Night at Drai’s Beach Club and the observed behaviour at casino bars reinforced this sense of excess.
The sponsor-hosted parties were equally problematic. While numerous invitations flooded my inbox, access was often contingent on meeting undisclosed criteria, with applications subject to arbitrary rejection or last-minute rescission. This exclusionary approach is simply poor manners and detrimental to fostering genuine collaboration.
Even the hosted buyer program, ostensibly designed to facilitate connections, fell short. Reports suggest it resembled speed dating for vendors, with some buyers admitting to participating solely for discounted registration fees.
A Call for Re-Evaluation
HLTH and its participating vendors must engage in a critical self-assessment. The conference has become overly focused on spectacle and extravagance, a jarring contrast to the realities faced by care delivery organizations grappling with increasing uncompensated care and cuts to vital funding programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
In a time demanding resourcefulness and demonstrable impact, the current trajectory of HLTH feels profoundly out of touch. A return to prioritizing substance, expertise, and genuine collaboration is not merely desirable – it’s essential for the future of healthcare innovation.
Author’s Note: *This piece was written by
