Readers Write: HLTH: Healthcare’s Burning Man for the Well Funded

HLTH: Healthcare’s Burning Man for the Well Funded
By Anonymous

I’ve been around this industry for decades. I have to admit that I’m still trying to wrap my head around all these newfangled conferences like HLTH.

Back in my day, HIMSS was the gold standard. Everyone knew it, everyone went, and you could count on a certain level of professionalism.

HLTH, on the other hand, feels like it’s out of control. I remember when it started in 2018 as just a small gathering in Las Vegas. It has apparently ballooned to 12,000 attendees and 900 sponsors. I guess that’s progress, although I’m not sure it’s all for the better.

When I went to my first HLTH a couple of years back, I was struck by how different it felt. Most companies had the same booth size, so you would think the focus would be on substance. Still, there were a lot more “tech bros” than I’m used to, with lots of sneakers and puffer vests but not many suits. It was supposed to be about conversation and content. 

Now we have big booths with espresso machines and ice cream carts. Honestly, it felt more like a popularity contest. Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I miss the days when people were more interested in building real relationships than just being seen.

HLTH also doesn’t seem to care much for academic rigor or peer review. At HIMSS, you could count on presentations that were vetted and at least acted like they had substance. At HLTH, it feels like speakers are chosen for how much noise they make online, not for what they actually have to say. Most presentations are just opinions and visions, not proven results.

I suppose HLTH never claimed to be academically rigorous. They say they are about “healthcare innovation and societal well-being,” whatever that means. I’ve always believed that lofty goals are fine, but in healthcare, you need something concrete. I’ve seen plenty of big companies come and go, thinking they could fix healthcare, only to leave with their tails between their legs.

There were some positives at the 2025 HLTH conference, such as Kroger and Walgreens giving flu shots. But I ran into plenty of vendors who couldn’t explain what they actually do. I even asked a CEO for a simple elevator pitch, and all I got in return was a finger pointing to an iPad and a questionnaire. If you ask me, that’s not a good sign. Nobody bothered to ask about my organization or my needs, even though I have buying authority.

This year, HLTH was crawling with so-called “influencers.” I’ll be honest, I don’t care much for that term. Most of these folks seem more interested in building their personal brands than in driving real innovation. Some have medical degrees but never finished residency or got board certified. They’re quick to share opinions on topics where they don’t have much expertise. Their LinkedIn profiles are full of adviser roles and startup credits, but it’s hard to tell if they have actually accomplished anything.

There was even a dust-up online about a group of “physician founders” flying to the conference on a private jet, courtesy of an anonymous sponsor. The LinkedIn post and group photo were deleted after some backlash, but it makes you wonder how many of these folks still practice medicine.

HLTH seems to encourage this influencer culture, handing out free passes if you agree to post about the conference nine times. You could spot them in the exhibit hall, always taking selfies and blocking the aisles. They even had their own lounge.

Another trend I just don’t get is all the rebranding. Companies spend a fortune changing logos and colors, then throw parties to celebrate. Wouldn’t that money be better spent on employees or helping out struggling healthcare organizations? HLTH is also the time for big corporate announcements, most of which don’t mean much once you read the fine print.

And don’t get me started on the entertainment. The opening event was at Topgolf, way off the strip, and you needed a shuttle to get there. It just reinforces the old “business is done on the golf course” mentality. The Industry Night at Drai’s Beach Club was another example of excess. I even witnessed some pretty bad behavior at the casino bars, stuff I thought we had moved past.

Sponsors also go overboard with their own parties. I got at least 20 emails inviting me to events, but most required a certain profile to attend. Sometimes you had to apply, and even then, you might get rejected or have your invitation rescinded at the last minute. That’s just bad manners and bad business.

I didn’t bother with the hosted buyer program, even though I’m a budget owner. From what I overheard, it’s basically speed dating for vendors, and I heard some complaints from vendors that the buyers they met with acted bored, as if they were just doing it for the discounted registration.

Bottom line: HLTH and vendors need to take a hard look in the mirror. It’s become too much of a party, with way too much extravagance. In a year when care delivery organizations are facing more uncompensated care and cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, all this glitz just feels out of touch.

I will run pieces whose author prefers to remain anonymous, although they must submit it to me under their real name so I can check for credibility and conflict of interest.