24 scenes from past HIMSS conferences; How the times have changed

February 18, 2016

09:41 AM

HIMSS Annual Conference never fails to deliver tens of thousands of attendees, hundreds of vendors and loads of cutting-edge healthcare technology. The show also features music, performers, demonstrations and more.

Click through the following slideshow to see how the conference has changed through the years.

Advance to the next slide to start the gallery.

This unicorn was one of the many creative show floor displays from HIMSS16 in Las Vegas.

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HIMSS Board Chair George T. (Buddy) Hickman, a Trekkie, posed with a Captain James T. Kirk impersonator at HIMSS07.

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In 2003, Ms. Pac-Man was already a retro experience but it still drew a crowd.

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Former President Bill Clinton was on hand as the closing keynote at HIMSS13, starting a two-year tradition of Clinton keynotes.

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In true Vegas fashion, Marilyn Monroe made an appearance at the HIMSS16 Opening Reception.

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HIMSS10 featured CNN Chief Medical Corresponent Sanjay Gupta interviewing author and fraud investigator Harry Markopolos onstage.

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Live music is usually found at a HIMSS Annual Conference. In 2003 the colorfully attired Knutsen Brothers provided entertainment.

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Florida governor and current presidential candidate Jeb Bush dropped in to HIMSS13 in New Orleans.

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A Star Trek-inspired keynote podium was beamed down for HIMSS07.

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HIMSS04 featured a busy and chaotic exhibit floor.

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Before everyone carried a smartphone with email in their pocket, attendees valued these surfing stations to get Internet access.

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Note the differences between today's technology and that of 12 years ago in this photo from HIMSS04.

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People stretch as far as the eye can see at HIMSS07.

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Elvis makes an appearance at the CIO Forum during HIMSS16 in Las Vegas.

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The HIMSS03 exhibit floor was awash in attendees and vendors.

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An early iteration of the tablet being demonstrated at HIMSS07.

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Music again being featured at HIMSS07 in New Orleans.

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It can seem remarkable that business gets done in the chaos of the exhibit floor, but there is no rest for the weary at HIMSS Annual Conference. HIMSS11 was no different.

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HIMSS13 featured a trolley to help move people around.

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When in New Orleans, you have to have a jazz band.

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HIMSS15 took size to a new level with this grand concourse splitting the north and south wings of the convention center.

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Not only were the wires and Web surfing stations gone, but HIMSS15 featured virtual reality demonstrations.

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Fit for the Rolling Stones. The HIMSS15 stage, featuring Paul Kleeberg, MD, former HIMSS board chair, was expansive, bracketed by movie-theater-size screens.

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