Live-Streaming, Live-Tweeting, and Internet Services at Conferences Like #HIMSS17

One of the more lively ‘discussions’ – at least in terms of the number of tweets – in the recent #HITsm tweetchat about 'Maximizing Your #HIMSS17 Experience - Whether Attending Physically or Virtually' was the topic of “Live Streaming” at conferences like the 2017 HIMSS Conference & Exhibition. 

While all participants generally bemoaned the often poor internet connectivity attendees experience at large conferences like HIMSS, there was disagreement as to the value of ‘live tweeting’ educational and other conference sessions.

Live Streaming at the Conference
@serrahl	Anyone using live streaming to engage virtual audiences? What platform (Facebook, twitter, etc) do you prefer and why?
@resultant	It didn't happen if there aren't videos/pics!
@thegr8chalupa	Agreed. If I can tune into #HIMSS17, I love seeing the play-by-play as if I was actually there. I'd love to see more live streaming too!
@mandibpro	#VIDEO! Also, #podcast content from on-the-floor interviews, hallway convos. I want the REAL SCOOP!  @ #HIMSS17
@advizehealth	Live updates! Twitter, vlogs, even instagram for the picture savvy attendee. Visually engaging content is key.
@mandibpro	So, off-the-cuff testimonials (positive or negative) giving the true user's experience of X concept/product? Cool idea!
@thegr8chalupa	That would be a really cool compilation video of new tech/advancements at #HIMSS17. As a virtual attendee, this would be gold!
@une_healthit	Live streaming - or at least a walkabout or 2 -- by @UNE_HealthIT Booth UR2
@davisjamie77	Also, I <3 quick live blogs throughout the day. Great way to get a high level overview of sessions I missed!
@thegr8chalupa	Facebook Live or stream a keynote session or time on the floor. The energy from #HIMSS is contagious!
@thegr8chalupa	Fingers crossed that could happen. If not, a recorded video upload works good too!
Who’s Streaming Who at #HIMSS17?
@shimcode	A few people/firms are streaming live video/audio from #HIMSS17. I know about @resultant & @2healthguru. Who else?
@shimcode	My buds at @Availity will be doing some live-streamed interviews of #HIMSS17 SMA's and a few others.
@advizehealth	Advize will be making a few vlogs on #HIMSS17 happenings, and posting them on various sm channels.
@boltyboy	I'll also be forcing @jessdamassa to do many if not most of my interviews if @nickisnpdx & @2healthguru will let her out of the house
@aislingmcdl	I might try to do some informal streaming of @CMSGov #himss17 sessions, if I have service.
@michaelgaspar	We have a Facebook live schedule coming out next week!
@jake_mcclure	@MandiBPro #Livestream here
Live Tweeting Presentations
@glhc_hie	We'll be live tweeting & potentially live streaming (technology permitting) our preso on Tues. afternoon #HIMSS17  #ShamelessPlug
@davisjamie77	I'd love more live session tweets with real data & less random tweets about sore feet and meaningless sales pitches.
@mandibpro	<3 to live-tweet sessions. Hoping to attend at least 2 sessions/day this year. That is my biggest challenge: attending the education!
@cascadia	Summaries are great but last thing we need are live streem tweets of sessions that flood #HIMSS17 channel I block those
@resultant	I actually like those tweet streams - especially when I can not make it on site
@davisjamie77	That's what I'm doing this year. I hate the clog of those booth tweets when I'm scrolling my feed!
@shimcode	Yes, I like tweets from #HIMSS17 sessions. To me, they are the most valuable of all.
@mandibpro	I just go look at unfiltered tweet stream w/ particular vendor of interest if there's someone whose content makes me want to visit.
Internet Service at the Conference
@healthcarescene	I'd like to live stream if the bandwidth wasn't so awful!
@mandibpro	I really wish the bandwidth were guaranteed to be good enough to do that. Typically, the WiFi is terrible outside the press room.
@techguy	It's kind of sad that an IT conference doesn't solve this for attendees. SXSW finally did. I wish #HIMSS17 would invest in it too.
@boltyboy	To be sympathetic, it's almost an incurable problem. We spend $40k a year for $2k people at @health2con & WiFi still patchy
@techguy	How did SXSW solve it then? It's definitely possible, but does take an investment.
@boltyboy	It may be that they're forced to use convention center vendor. The one year we got it right we brought in outside team  & $$
@gilmerhealthlaw	This is important to keep an eye on among everything else. Don't let it slip by unnoticed.

For more ideas, tips and thoughts about maximizing the value of the 2017 HIMSS Conference & Exhibition, check back here over the next few days and consider following me and @ShimCode and @HITConfGuy on Twitter.