SHSMD Connections Annual Conference
Join us October 13-15 in Denver, CO, for the nation's leading conference for health care strategy and market development professionals.
The most timely and reliable health care strategy and market development programming happens at SHSMD's Connections Conference. The field comes together to share their findings, challenges and best practices with the shared goal of advancing health care. Strategists from every stage of their careers can benefit from sessions and networking at the SHSMD Connections 2024!
SHSMD CONNECTIONS CONFERENCE
What to Expect
Enjoy a plethora of benefits at SHSMD Connections such as:
- NETWORKING. Connect and collaborate with peers, senior leaders, experts and people who can help you achieve your goals.
- INSIGHTS. Engage in timely and innovative sessions from leading field experts that give you actionable takeaways for your organization.
- SOLUTIONS. Access game-changing technology, products and services that can maximize efficiency and results at your organization by visiting the Exhibitor Hall.
- INSPIRATION. Discover innovative new ideas, best practices, and more to inspire you back at your organization.
SHSMD Connections Conference
Buzzworthy Session Tracks
Learn directly from leaders in the field about the following hot topics:
- Marketing & Digital Engagement: Emerging technologies (AI, ChatGPT, Virtual Reality, other), Content Marketing, Campaign Automation and more
- Communications & Public Relations: Crisis/Disaster Strategies, Employee Engagement, Community Outreach, Media Relations and more
- Strategic Planning & Business Development: Managing and Growing Workforce, Building Strategic and Beneficial Partnerships, Maximizing DEI through Intentional Initiatives and more
- Innovation & Cross-Disciplinary Solutions: Emerging Health Care Trends, New Care Delivery Methods, Health Policy, Advocacy, Regulations and more
- Career & Leadership Development: Professional Development and Advancement, Building Workforce Pipelines, Mentorship and more
Keynotes and General Sessions | |
 | Opening Keynote"Unleash the Innovator Within"Diana KanderIn today’s ever-changing health care field, roles have evolved far past job descriptions. Those in health care strategy roles face a volatile external environment - they encounter pressure to stay relevant to patients as consumers- they experience challenging workforce issues - and they are being asked to do a lot more with a lot less. All of this is asking them to be innovators. The big question is, are they doing it the hard way or the easy way. Based on her book, "The Curiosity Muscle," this keynote helps members of health care organizations who don't have innovation in their job description to embrace and identity as an innovator. Diana will share the key skills and habits that make innovation easier and a lot more fun. She'll empower attendees to harness the power of curiosity to unlock new possibilities and to drive professional growth and organizational efficiencies. Attendees will leave this keynote identifying as innovators and seeking opportunities to use their new skills. |
 | Monday Keynote"Get Beyond Calling it 'AI' and Explore How to Use Smart Technologies to Innovate"Roberta Levy Schwartz, Ph.D., FACHERoberta L. Schwartz is the Executive Vice President of Houston Methodist Hospital — one of the founding institutions of the Texas Medical Center — and the Chief Innovation Officer of Houston Methodist. In her roles, Roberta oversees all operations at the 948-bed hospital and is responsible for advancing and expanding Houston Methodist’s digital innovation platforms, including telemedicine, artificial intelligence and big data. Under her leadership, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital the No. 1 hospital in Texas for 12 straight years (tied for No. 1 in 2023-2024). Roberta is nationally recognized for her professional and nonprofit work. She was recognized by Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Women Leaders as one of its “10 Women to Watch.” She is involved in many nonprofit organizations, such as LifeGift, the Robert M. Beren Academy, the United Orthodox Synagogues and the Young Survival Coalition. |
 | Closing Keynote"Thriving Against the Odds: Using Super-Charged Engagement to Navigate the Path to Rural Hospital Sustainability"Dr. David SchreinerRural hospitals are facing unprecedented challenges to their sustainability. One key factor in success is the ability for leaders to engage with the people that matter most: patients, employees, physicians, board members and community members. |
Registration Rates
Attendee registration opens mid-May and sponsors/exhibitors registration opens mid-June.
Health Care Provider-Based Registrants
| Registration Type | Early Bird Member | Early Bird Non-Member | Regular Pricing Member | Regular Pricing Non-Member (after 7/31) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Access: Includes November virtual package that includes all general session and concurrent session recordings, plus full conference access to general sessions, concurrent sessions, exhibit hall, networking events. Current members receive one-year SHSMD membership renewal (from date of current expiration) and non-members receive a one-year SHSMD membership. | $1,325 | $1,525 | $1,425 | $1,625 |
| Standard Access: Does not include November virtual package that includes all general session and concurrent session recordings. Includes full conference access to general sessions, concurrent sessions, exhibit hall, networking events, one-year SHSMD membership renewal or extension. Current members receive one-year SHSMD membership renewal (from date of current expiration) and non-members receive a one-year SHSMD membership. | $1,225 | $1,425 | $1,325 | $1,525 |
Health Care Provider-Based Registrants
| Registration Type | Regular Pricing | Regular Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Conference Recordings Virtual Package ONLY (for those unable to attend the conference in person): conference session recordings, one-year SHSMD membership renewal or extension. | $550 | $750 |
| *One Day Pass - Monday: all events and functions on October 14. | $1,000 | $1,200 |
| *One Day Pass - Tuesday: all events and functions on October 15. | $750 | $950 |
*Access to Sunday’s opening keynote and Welcome Reception in the exhibit hall is only available for full conference registration and cannot be combined into the Monday or Tuesday day pass.
Non-Exhibiting and Non-Sponsoring Vendors, Solution Providers and Consultants
| Registration Type | Early Bird Member | Early Bird Non-Member | Regular Pricing Member | Regular Pricing Non-Member (after 7/31) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Conference: full conference access to all general sessions, concurrent sessions, exhibit hall, networking events plus access to November virtual package that includes all general session and concurrent session recordings. Adding, renewing or extending membership is optional for a discounted rate of $200. | $1,625 | $1,825 | $1,725 | $1,925 |
Event Location
Colorado Convention Center
700 14th Street
Denver, CO 80202
Hotel information will be provided to registered attendees in the confirmation email.
ALERT: SHSMD and its partners do not utilize third parties to solicit its exhibitors, attendees or members for purposes of selling hotel rooms or any other conference product or service. Please be aware that SHSMD has NO affiliation with such companies. Exhibitors and attendees are urged to exercise caution and advised to secure conference products and services only through SHSMD channels. If you are solicited by such a company, please notify SHSMD at shsmd@aha.org.