ORLANDO, Fla., March 5, 2020 – Today, following recent reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HIMSS announced it is clearly necessary to cancel the 2020 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition.
“We recognize all the hard work that so many have put into preparing for their presentations and panels that accompany every HIMSS conference,” said Hal Wolf, president and CEO of HIMSS. “Based on evaluation of evolving circumstances and coordination with an external advisory panel of medical professionals to support evidence-based decision making, it is clear that it would be an unacceptable risk to bring so many thousands of people together in Orlando next week.”
The advisory panel recognized that industry understanding of the potential reach of the virus has changed significantly in the last 24 hours, which has made it impossible to accurately assess risk. Additionally, there are concerns about disproportionate risk to the healthcare system given the unique medical profile of Global Conference attendees and the consequences of potentially displacing healthcare workers during a critical time, as well as stressing the local health systems were there to be an adverse event.
This will be the first time in 58 years the event has been cancelled, but it is now clear that cancellation is unavoidable in order to meet HIMSS’ obligation to protect the health and safety of the global HIMSS community, employees and local residents, as well as for the healthcare providers tasked with keeping our U.S. and global communities healthy.
HIMSS20 exhibitors and attendees will be contacted with further information regarding booth contracts and registrations. Please contact exhibitors@himss.org for immediate booth concerns. Any further updates regarding HIMSS20 will be published on himssconference.org.
Please see the HIMSS20 Cancellation FAQ page for more information.
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Previous Update Published March 3, 2020:
Over the last week, COVID-19 Coronavirus has become a global topic of concern. Gov. Ron DeSantis directed State Health Officer and Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees to declare a public health emergency in Florida on March 1, 2020.
What does this mean?
Under Florida law, public health emergencies can be declared when there are threats that could result in substantial harm to public health. Such threats can include infectious diseases and even natural disasters. The declarations help free up government resources to focus on responding to the health situation. At this time, Florida remains open for business with careful monitoring of the situation. As of March 2, Orlando resorts and parks remain open and operational.
Our top priority remains the health and safety of all participants at HIMSS20, including attendees, exhibitors, market suppliers, staff, industry partners, and others involved in the HIMSS Global Health Conference and Exhibition.
Given the dynamic nature of this situation, HIMSS has assembled an external panel of medical professionals to further advise our evidence-based decision-making and review our procedures. While the risk remains low at this time, we cannot ensure a virus-free environment and have instituted the measures outlined below.
A Summary of our Current Crisis Preparedness Plan
Traveling to Florida
- At this time, HIMSS is accommodating cancellations from attendees traveling from countries designated as a Level 3 or 4 alert by the The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Updates and impacted countries can be found on the CDC’s Travel Health Notices page.
- Attendees should not travel to HIMSS20 if they are feeling unwell. Attendees should monitor the CDC travel guidelines prior to their departure.
- Orlando Airport (MCO) is complying with the travel restrictions signed by the U.S. Government on January 31, 2020, which bars entry to the U.S. of most foreign nationals who traveled to China within the 14 days immediately prior to arrival in the United States.
- HIMSS is providing guidelines and updates to conference attendee hotels on healthy procedures and tips. All guests checking in will receive printed copies of safety measures.
On-site Preparedness Plan
- While the risk remains low at this time, we cannot ensure a virus-free environment. HIMSS20 will be a handshake-free meeting. We recommend the HIMSS elbow tap.
- We are working with Orlando Health and Dr. Phillips Hospital (closest to convention center) to provide extra medical support as needed on site.
- Screening protocols for EMTs and Nurses on site
- Telehealth access to ER physicians to host virtual visits as necessary
- There will be three medical offices on site at the Orange County Convention Center. One of the medical offices will be dedicated to addressing both flu and coronavirus symptoms and will be staffed by a trained medical professional with direct access to the Florida Department of Health and an Epidemiologist.
- HIMSS and the Orange County Convention Center will consult health teams at Orlando Health when necessary.
- Should screening reveal an elevated risk for an attendee, the person will be isolated immediately to prevent exposure to conference participants.
- Further, the Emergency Department teams at Orlando Health Centers will be consulted to ensure the risk to conference attendees is proactively managed to ensure the safety of all conference participants.
Sanitation Measures
- Orange County Convention Center has a disinfectant procedure in place for nightly and day cleanings during move-in and throughout conference, which adhere to the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) guidance.
- There will be an increased number of hand sanitation sites available in the Orange County Convention Center and surrounding HIMSS20 venues, providing alcohol-based hand sanitizer for all attendees and staff.
- Disposable, disinfectant wipes will be provided so commonly used surfaces (e.g. doorknobs, keyboards, presentation materials, desk surfaces, etc.) can be routinely sanitized.
Situation Monitoring
- HIMSS staff is meeting on a regular basis with key conference stakeholders, including Orange County, the Orange County Convention Center and the Florida Department of Health agencies to evaluate any risk in the host city.
- HIMSS is also actively monitoring CDC and WHO updates for further information.
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Previous Update Published March 2, 2020:
Over the last week, COVID-19 Coronavirus has become a global topic of concern.
Our top priority remains the health and safety of all participants at HIMSS20, including attendees, exhibitors, market suppliers, staff, industry partners, and others involved in the HIMSS Global Health Conference and Exhibition. Given the dynamic nature of this situation, HIMSS has assembled an external panel of medical professionals to further advise our evidence-based decision-making and to ensure the safety of the healthcare community currently planning to assemble in Florida for HIMSS20.
We remain committed to communicate regularly regarding our attendance and status.
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Previous Update Published Feb. 27, 2020:
HIMSS is closely monitoring the coronavirus outbreak and continues to provide regular updates.
As of February 27, 2020, HIMSS20 is proceeding as scheduled March 9-13, 2020 in Orlando, Fla. Currently, registration is experiencing an upswing of 7 percent over HIMSS19 participation. Cancellations are around 0.6 percent.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has publicly deemed the health risk of coronavirus for the general American public to be low at this time.
The health, safety and well-being of the community is our highest priority.
Traveling to Florida
- At this time, HIMSS is accommodating cancellations from attendees travelling from countries designated as a Level 3 alert by the CDC. Updates can be found on the CDC website.
- Attendees should not travel to HIMSS20 if they are feeling unwell. Attendees should monitor the CDC travel guidelines prior to their departure.
- Orlando Airport (MCO) is complying with the travel restrictions signed by the U.S. Government on January 31, 2020, which bars entry to the U.S. of most foreign nationals who traveled to China within the 14 days immediately prior to arrival in the United States.
- HIMSS is providing guidelines and updates to conference attendee hotels on healthy procedures and tips. All guests checking in will receive printed copies of safety measures.
On-site Preparedness Plan
- While the risk remains low at this time, HIMSS20 will be a handshake-free meeting. We recommend the HIMSS elbow tap.
- We are working with Orlando Health and Dr. Phillips Hospital (closest to convention center) to provide extra medical support as needed on site
- EMTs and Nurses on site for screening protocols
- Telehealth access to ER physicians to host virtual visits as necessary
- There will be three medical offices on site at the Orange County Convention Center. One of the medical offices will be dedicated to addressing both flu and coronavirus symptoms and will be staffed by a trained medical professional with direct access to the Florida Department of Health and an Epidemiologist.
- Screening procedures established by the CDC will be conducted on site throughout the conference; HIMSS and the Orange County Convention Center will consult health teams at Orlando Health when necessary.
- Should screening reveal an elevated risk for an attendee, the person will be isolated immediately to prevent exposure to conference participants.
- Further, the Emergency Department teams at Orlando Health Centers will be consulted to ensure the risk to conference attendees is proactively managed to ensure the safety of all conference participants.
Sanitation Measures
- Orange County Convention Center has a disinfectant procedure in place for nightly and day cleanings during move-in and throughout conference, which adhere to the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) guidance.
- There will be an increased number of hand sanitation sites available in the Orange County Convention Center and surrounding HIMSS20 venues, providing alcohol-based hand sanitizer for all attendees and staff.
- Disposable, disinfectant wipes will be provided so commonly used surfaces (e.g. doorknobs, keyboards, presentation materials, desk surfaces, etc.) can be routinely sanitized.
- Interested attendees can access medical-grade face masks at any HIMSS20 information booth.
Situation Monitoring
- HIMSS staff is meeting on a regular basis with key conference stakeholders, including Orange County, the Orange County Convention Center and the Florida Department of Health agencies to evaluate any risk in the host city.
- HIMSS is also actively monitoring CDC and WHO updates for further information.