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Mary Ann Geier, HealthCamp organizer,
facilitated a discussion about the future
of medical publishing.
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- If you can, plug into your local BarCamp scene or group of technology buffs and get the support of its members. Finding good people who will step up and stick with the project is one of the most important factors in planning a successful HealthCamp. I couldn't have pulled off HealthCamp Philadelphia without the help of the folks I met via the Philly tech scene.
- Find a way to recruit doctors, nurses and professionals on the front lines of healthcare. Do whatever it takes to gain their support.
- Try to establish a sponsor relationship with members of a local health system that will spread the word among their organization.
- Network like crazy-in person, on the phone and online-and sell your idea to people in the various communities you think will be interested. Engage yourself in these communities. Attend their events, comment on their blogs and Tweet and email with them.
- Confirm venue details as early as possible.
- Court local experts who you think should attend, whether they are familiar with the BarCamp-style conference or not. Diversity of opinion and expertise among HealthCamp attendees is highly desirable.
- Be prepared to spend most of your time recruiting folks, most of whom have never been to a BarCamp or HealthCamp before, that are willing to host sessions. They will probably be skeptical and uncertain, and it will take significant amounts of coaching and encouragement to earn their confidence and support.
Mary Ann Geier is manager of online marketing, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia, Pa. She can be reached at maryanngeier@gmail.com or on Twitter @mageier and @healthadelphia.
Related Content:
HealthCamp Philadelphia: Change is in the Air
Video: A Report from HealthCamp
Podcast: Phil Baumann and 140 Healthcare Uses for Twitter
Podcast: Ed Bennett and Social Media for Hospitals
HealthCamp Philadelphia Photo Gallery
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