The top trends for planning health events

We have summarized the top trends that are changing how health events are planned, based on forecasts from companies like Ita Group and Freeman. As in other industries, technology is taking the lead in the most profound changes in the medical and pharmaceutical sector, where continuing education is essential as new drugs are being developed constantly.

1- Training and certification, on the rise.

In 2014 the US created a program called CMP-HC (Certified Meeting Professional-Healthcare). This program was developed in order to contribute to the specialization of a sector whose events have some specific needs and guidelines. Events related to the pharmaceutical and medical sector are under compliance requirements affecting their organization, hence the trend in specialization of these events. Next to HMCC (Healthcare Meeting Compliance Certificate), both programs are the scale of best practices in the M & E industry. Their demand is increasing.

2 – More new drugs.

Laboratories continue to manufacture new medicines and pharmaceutical companies have expedited the approval process for new drugs. In addition, one of the main challenges of pharmaceutical companies is to shorten the time between the creation of a product and its arrival at the doctor’s office. Because of this it is increasingly important to update all stakeholders, through meetings, conferences, lectures, etc. It is also important to ensure that sponsors of these drugs can contact their audience before, during and after the event.

3 – More players involved in primary care.

Nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, pharmacists… There are more and more scientific roles that inform and influence patients. They also need to be updated and trained.

4 – Technology: present in patients and professionals.

According to a PwC report, patients and professionals are joining in the trend of “do it yourself” technology: they use applications and wereables to monitor their health, control what they eat, how often they exercise, etc. Health and pharma professionals need to understand how technology is changing patients’ behavior.

5 – Technology must be present in meetings.

This convergence between technology and health care also influences the organization of meetings. Mobile apps are used more and more in meetings and events to share information in a quick, safe and efficient way. Technology facilitates the access to documents for participants and cost control by the organizers. This is happening in all sectors, and healthcare is no exception to this trend. That is why health events must adapt to new times and add the latest technological developments to meetings and conferences, if they don’t want to lose the interest of attendees and in turn lose potential sponsors.

6 – New medical services turn away from traditional events.

Under the growth of health insurance, new products and services associated with insurance matters are born. Many of them are digitally based and avoid medical conferences from traditional associations. They prefer other events or meetings where their intended audience (early adopter and/or millennials, in many cases) congregates. These new events utilize innovative formats, which increase on the one hand participation attendees and on the other, sponsorship options.

7 – Improving event experience for your attendees.

You have to know what your present and future audiences need to succeed in their work. Organizers of health events should create an incentive for healthcare professionals, offering content of interest and experiences “not-to-be-missed” to advance in their career.