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The HIMSS Annual Conference has developed many rhythms that are familiar to longtime attendees. But this year’s conference is changing the beat by a couple of steps with a Monday to Friday calendar that provides more time for education and networking on the exhibit hall. The HIMSS16 pre-education day will take place on Monday in Las Vegas, rather than on Sunday as happened in recent years. The opportunities for education at HIMSS16 will be as rich as ever, with 300 sessions covering all of the most essential topics for health IT. And, as you would expect, there will be presentations on a number of new topic areas. Monday’s educational programs will end at 5 pm, clearing the schedule to begin the opening keynote from Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell Inc. And immediately following the keynote, the exhibit hall will open with a reception for all attendees, starting at 6:30 p.m.  in Exhibit Hall G.   See all of our HIMSS16 previews Starting Tuesday, the exhibit hall will return to a schedule that will be more familiar to regular attendees, opening at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, closing at 6 p.m. each day except on Thursday when it will close at 4 p.m. (For schedule details, visit http://www.himssconference.org) Two new landmarks will brighten this year’s exhibit hall. You can read more about the Population Health Knowledge Center and the Revenue Cycle Knowledge Center. And the Connected Health Experience is new, combing exhibits and education for Mobile Health, Connected Patient and Games for Health into one area. Networking is always an important part of the HIMSS Annual Conference. One activity growing in popularity is the Women in Health IT Networking Reception, which provides an opportunity to get together in a relaxed setting. Joining the reception will be George Clooney, Bruno Mars, Madonna and other celebrities who will appear as lifelike wax replicas; the event takes place at Madame Tussauds. You may not get an autograph but at least you can take a selfie with the stars. The event requires a $45 registration; it is expected to sell out, so reserve early. For a different type of networking event, sign up for the Super Nap Data Center Tour.  The guided tour includes transportation to one of highest-ranking colocation data centers in the world. And the youngest members of HIMSS will have their own networking opportunity at the Millennials on a Mission Reception. It promises to be a great opportunity to compare notes and build relationships in a casual atmosphere. To stay up to date on everything happening in the weeks leading up to the event and through the event, visit our Destination HIMSS section. Times and Places: Opening Reception, Feb. 29, 6:30 p.m., Exhibit Hall G; Women in Health IT Networking Reception, Mar. 1, 5:30 p.m., Madame Tussauds; Super Nap Data Center Tour, March 3, 7:30 – 11:30 a.m. or 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Millennials on a Mission Reception, Label Lounge at the Palazzo, March 2, 6:30 p.m. Twitter: @GusVenditto

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