Tonight the party starts, the beautiful (and not so beautiful) people gather, and the shows under way—and that’s just the Health 2.0 team! There’s also 900 + speakers, guests, media, volunteers and the community is buzzing. Wall Street may be going crazy, the election may be a cakewalk (or not) but in health care interest in combining user-generated content with personalization based on data is growing. Last year around 500 people got together to find out what Health 2.0 was. Really, we only had about 35 decent options from which to choose our eventual 25 demo panelists (and one or two of those were a little of a stretch).
This year we’ll hit about 1,000 in attendance, and Indu & I have chosen from over 250 possible presenters. Attendees will see about 100 of them. Jen McCabe Gorman, Ranger extraordinaire, has sat through 3.2 million demos—making sure that the presenters get it right. And our phalanx of moderators, advisors and presenters have also been burning the midnight oil.
Meanwhile John Pluenneke & Jamie Cao are corralling sponsors & exhibitors, Robin Smiley is about to issue 900 badges, graphics whizzes Patrick Wang & Lauren Golik are putting the final touches to a huge presentation, and head wrangler Joi Hawkins is smiling serenely through the chaos she’s been managing since Sara Walker retired into her confinement. Perry Hallinan is managing the production schedule while making a video on the side, Blake Robin is creating the best soundtrack of any conference you’ll ever hear, and behind the scenes, the staff at Scribe Media, the Marriott and McCune AV are (and will be) working their tails off. Not to mention the 60 volunteers coming to help!
Given that Indu & I thought we’d have a little conversational meeting with 50 people when we started this less than 2 years ago, I’m still amazed every day! Thanks to everyone for their incredible hard work (and of course my love and thanks to Amanda for putting up with me and the hordes of people in her house!)
And yes, there are still a few overflow only tickets left for those true procrastinators! Details about this and much more are on the Health 2.0 Site
Categories: Uncategorized
Melvin: huh?
I was in bed reading how STD was infecting the nations youth and wondered if I could make a contribution to curtail the epidemic. The article said that if a condom was used the chances of contacting STD was greatly reduced. It was time for me to act. I put on my black trench coat and wide brimmed hat, after purchasing a few hundred condoms I marched off into the night.
The singles bar had over 75 patrons who were dancing and drinking to the wild music. Many of them were drunk while kissing, hugging and grinding to the beat. I sensed it was a prelude to a night of sex without protection. I approached a couple in a dark corner of the room who were rolling around on the floor. I introduced myself and explained the danger of STD. Since the couple were hot and excited I quickly left after leaving three multi-colored condoms in their hands. My supply was gone after speaking to all of the patrons including the band and bartender. My evening was a success after I went home with the female singer in the band. But since I gave all my condoms away I had no alternative but to have unprotected sex and hope for good luck.
Years later the whole town got to know me as Rubber Mel. I was always seen giving out free condoms at the singles bars. But I never was one to practice what I preach because I contacted seven different varieties of STD. “Never do unto others what you would not want done to you” is my new motto. I now always wear a condom before having sex for my own sake and for the protection of others.