FAQs

General FAQs

What is required of provider attendees?

Provider attendance is on an invitation-only basis with a fixed number of registrations available per conference, and we evaluate each potential attendee individually before extending an invitation.

Full participation at all conference functions is strongly encouraged and evaluated prior to invitation to any future events. However, the following events are mandatory requirements for provider attendees:

• Attendance at the provider orientation on the first day of the conferences
• Participation at hospitality events on the first night of the conference
• Participation for the full 2 hours of both Reverse Expo sessions
• Participation at the Dinner & Entertainment evening on the second night of the conference

If you do not attend the Provider Orientation Meeting and fully participate in all events listed above, you will be subject to reimbursing HCP for incurred expenses, including:

• Hotel charges
• Airfare
• Registration fee

As you are making your plans, please bear in mind that our conference maintains a full schedule with minimal downtime from the start on the conference on Monday until the conclusion on Wednesday. This enables you to be out of the office for the least amount of time with the greatest return. If you would like time to relax and explore the city, please contact our office to inquire about additional night stays.

Is there any time I can interact with the attendees outside of the conference activities?

Our entire conference is structured to allow providers and suppliers to interact with each other. Please refrain from attending meetings or functions that conflict with any of our scheduled conference events – even if you are invited by a conference attendee. Please respect the opportunities that our conference provides by participating in ALL conference functions and encourage your associates to fully participate. We have already paid for all your meals, including our dinner & entertainment evening on the second night of the conference. Feel free to utilize the breaks, meals and networking functions as an opportunity to connect with your colleagues in a more relaxed atmosphere.

Is CE credit available for the educational sessions?

Yes, it is. Our Fall Hospital O.R. & Surgical Conference educational sessions are accredited through the ANCC/Commission on Accreditation. Credit is assigned based on badge scans. In order to ensure the validity of the CE credits we issue, we have implemented an electronic attendance tracking system to document attendance at each of the sessions. Your badge must be scanned as you enter each session to ensure you receive credit for the sessions you attend, as the CE agency requires proof of attendance. After the conference, please allow 4-6 weeks for receipt of your CE certificate.

What is the dress code?

The dress code for the entire conference is business casual. For the dinner & entertainment evening, however, you might want to might want to dress differently. Each conference has an exciting event on the second night that varies from conference to conference, though each one includes wonderful food, an open bar, live music and/or entertainment. Feel free to dress according to the theme, and be sure to wear your dancing shoes!

May I bring my spouse with me?

You are welcome to bring your spouse with you to the conference. There is a nominal fee for participation in all conference activities except for the Provider Orientation and Reverse Expo sessions. You can pre-register and pay for your guest by providing us with their name and your credit card information on your registration form. You may also register and pay for your guest onsite at the conference.

What about compliance issues?

For all of the confirmed and registered provider executives, registration is provided at no charge by Health Connect Partners. The funding for provider attendance is covered by Health Connect Partners, including the travel and lodging expenses. There is absolutely no obligation for provider executives to make purchases from or to do business with any of the vendor or supplier attendees during or after the conference. We do not recommend or support any specific supplier that attends the conference, and the hospitals and health systems can choose on their own whether or not to have business interactions with supplier attendees after the conference. If you have any questions or require any additional documentation, please feel free to contact Nelson Hendry at (727) 816-9700.

REVERSE EXPO FAQs

What is a “Reverse Expo"?

The concept of the Reverse Expo is exactly what the name suggests: we reverse the roles of a traditional trade show or expo. The hospital, surgery center and GPO executives host the exhibit booths while the suppliers walk through the exhibit hall meeting and networking with the providers. View our photo gallery or visit the Reverse Expo page for more information.

How long does the Reverse Expo last?

Each Reverse Expo session is 2 hours long. Two sessions are scheduled for this conference: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on Tuesday, September 24 and 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on Wednesday, September 25.

How will I know where to sit?

We will have a sign with your facility / company name clearly marked above the back of your booth as well as a sign with your name, job title and booth number on the table. A map of the expo hall will be printed in the conference book and staff members will be present in the expo hall to ensure you can find your way around. Your booth number will also be located on your name badge near the barcode.

What do I need to bring with me?

Just bring plenty of business cards (a full box of 500 should be sufficient) and your warm smile. We will take care of everything else; hand sanitizer and a bottle of water will be on your table for your convenience. All you have to do is relax and enjoy meeting the sponsor and supplier attendees in a comfortable atmosphere. If you run out of business cards, stop by the HCP desks and we will print some for you.

What if there is a line of people forming and someone is being long-winded?

It is perfectly acceptable to ask someone to wrap up the conversation if they have exceeded approximately 5 minutes. This is especially true if there is a line of people waiting to speak with you. We will be sharing these expectations with the supplier attendees as well so they know to keep the conversations to a maximum of 5 minutes; please don’t feel bad if you need to ask someone to wrap up after a 5 minute period. Simply ask them to give you some time to speak with the people who are in line, then stop back by to finish speaking with you once the line has been cleared up.