Michigan HIMSS Interest Group
Minutes from Meeting
If you cannot attend the bimonthly planning
meetings in person, please call in!
The toll free dial in number is:
(866) 680-0146. Enter the
participant code of 297455. Our
host is Helen Hill.
Attending: Helen Hill, Pam Mueller, Brian McPherson, Craig Ireland, Chris Holden, Sue Kerwin, Ron Wheelock, Jeff Pfund, Dann Lemerand, Gary Strelecki, Brian Kelley, Alicia Brown
Today’s
meeting was held on the phone with the board of HISA. This meeting was to review plans for the
upcoming Winter conference.
Winter Conference
Review
ACTION ITEM: Helen will send an email out that has
more information on Ralph Wakerly.
Ron has gotten
We discussed the
possibilities of group pricing, because several organizations have requested
this. Looking at
expenses between food, speaker costs, raffle prizes, etc.
Ron suggested one or
two major sponsors at $500 per, and HISA and HIMSS kick in $750, then cost at
the door—we will cover our costs for this.
Craig suggested that
we try to get more vendor sponsors.
He felt that multiple vendors were effective at last year’s meeting. The goal is to get the vendors to defray
the costs and break even. Helen and
others agreed and thought that there were better ways to send the money that we
have. It was thought that we’d like
to make a little money.
Ron still would like
to keep it as a low cost event.
Chris and Alicia agreed with this.
Further, the concern was that vendors would have concerns after the
summer conference. General thought
was that vendors would be attracted regardless. The group acknowledged that keeping the
cost down for the vendors, such as $300 or $350 that this will still be
attractive enough, particularly if that includes attendance to the event. We can follow our previous process of
offering two free admissions to the event with the cost of the sponsorship plus
the exhibition.
If we can get the
group rate down for 3-4 people to $25, we think that would be a draw. Single participants would still be
charged $35 or more. Pam
acknowledged because this is a meet and greet then a lower cost is more
justified.
If the program costs
$5,000 and vendors are charged $300, with 60 people at $35 per person then we
can break even or even make a bit of money. Because the event includes hors
d’oeuvres, beer & wine, and a good networking opportunity, the group
considers this is a very fair cost.
Pam noted that we
got great feedback on the last Winter event. Craig noted that if the cost were
dropped to $30 for 80 people, we’d still cover our costs.
Last year we had
approximately 35 – 40 people that weren’t vendors, HISA or HIMSS. The appeal of the conference is broader
based, so the hope is that we will draw even more people to this
one.
Pam and Craig noted
that they charge vendors typically $200.
They feel that
We will charge $35
per person, 3 or more from one organization will lower the cost to $25 per
person. Helen also raised the issue
of board members and if they pay or not.
Last year this was a concern, because HISA applies a different
practice. We agreed that we would
each pay the $35 each, but if there are left over funds, we will use the extra
money to put on a party for all board members. HISA will pay for their board
members. HIMSS will each pay for
themselves.
Ken will put this up
on Telusys, but Ron has concerns about them being able
to handle the discounts. Telusys has had difficulties doing this in the past. Chris suggested that we see what Telusys says then come up with a plan B. Ron will call Ken, but Ken is out of
town this week.
ACTION ITEM: Ron will contact Ken regarding setting
up the Telusys account. Ken will set up the Telusys account.
We will follow up
with Jennifer to see if we have a copy of the presentation from Ralph yet. This can be posted at the web
site.
Ron was hoping to
use this as a membership drive. He
believes the flat rate approach is best.
A student rate doesn’t achieve his goals—which are to bring any people in
so they can see what HIMSS and HISA is about. The discussion continued regarding if
this is a reasonable cost for people that have to cover their own costs, or
not. The group generally thought
that the $35 was still reasonable.
Dann wondered whom
vendors should contact regarding sponsorship. Ron offered to take this on because he
has concerns about getting them set up.
However, we acknowledged that we should help Ron, so he can focus on
other things. Pam offered that HISA
would do that and follow up with Ron.
Pam wondered if we had a packet to provide to
vendors.
ACTION ITEM: Alicia, Helen and Ron will look for
vendor instructions and send the information over to everyone including Pam at
Everyone will work
to engage sponsors, but Pam will coordinate the effort overall.
Internet
connectivity will cost the vendors additional money.
There is also a need
to coordinate raffle gifts from sponsors.
If we provide a form for the vendors to fill out, then there should be a
place to enter what the raffle prize will be.
Ron will call to
coordinate with Pam tomorrow. Helen
suggested that if the vendors got involved in prep for the conference, then they
could get an additional discount.
Pam was going to
have Josh work on the flyer. Ron
has a flyer already created based on what Jennifer had sent to the group. Ron will send this to Pam and talk to
her more about it tomorrow. The
goal will be to have the flyer ready by the middle of next week. Nancy Kashani
also has done the poster boards in the past, so she and Josh can work together
on this.
ACTION ITEM: Ron and Pam will talk tomorrow about the
details including coordinating the flyer between Josh and
Nancy.
Ron acknowledged
that we should meet every Tuesday from now until the conference. Brian will set up the conference calls
for us, using a dial-in number based with a company in
ACTION ITEM: Alicia will send the HIMSS officer/board
list to Brian so he can set up the next conference calls.
ACTION ITEM: Alicia will send out the flyer when it
is completed, and will coordinate with Josh on mailings to
HISA.
Ron suggested that
we also try to get new vendors to bring them into the mix for some variety. The group
agreed.
The next meeting for
event coordination will be next Tuesday, November 9.
Meetings
Phone-in meetings will be held every Tuesday between now and the Summer Conference.
Meetings for coordinating the Winter conference are scheduled to occur on:
Tuesday, November 9
Tuesday, November 16
Tuesday, November 23
Tuesday, November 30
Tuesday, December 7
Meeting
Locations
Our bi-monthly meetings are currently held by
phone.
We can also meet at Reliance Software
Systems,
Reliance is on the north side of Northwestern
between
|
From the
North: Take Telegraph (US24)
South to |
30500 Northwestern Highway
If you need to contact someone for directions
or information, contact Alicia Brown at 248-496-4983 (cell) or Reliance Software
Systems at 248-865-7850 or 877-735-9273.
Please participate. If you can’t attend in person, dial
in!
Toll Free Dial in Number: (866)680-0146
PARTICIPANT CODE: 297455
Host: Helen Hill