About HCP
Health Connect Partners began as a dinner conversation between Nelson Hendry (retired President & co-founder) and David Mason (CEO & co-founder), the initial business model sketched out on a cocktail napkin. We now run multiple national conferences each year, bringing thousands of healthcare professionals together for some of the most unique events in the healthcare industry.
For over a decade we’ve had the privilege of bringing providers and suppliers together. In September of 2006, we held our first Supply & Pharmacy Expo. The next year we added a Hospital Pharmacy Conference, which quickly became our flagship event; by 2008, we were holding them twice a year. In the spring of 2009 we began our Radiology & Imaging Conference, followed by the launch of our Hospital O.R. & Surgical Conference in 2010 and our Hospital & Healthcare I.T. Conference in 2011. In 2014 we held our first dedicated Hospital Supply Chain Conference, and then launched our first Hospital Pharmacy Buyer Conference in 2022. In 2023, we entered to enter a new market with the introduction of our Post-Acute Care Conference. And in 2024 we began a partnership with HIMSS Global Conference & Exhibition to run a Hosted Buyer Program right from their tradeshow floor.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in early spring of 2020, we had to face the hard reality that for the first time in 14 years it was not possible to hold our events live and in-person as we had always done. But we knew that the need for connection in healthcare communities had never been greater, even though being in the same physical space was not possible. So we went back to the drawing board and developed a model to facilitate those connections virtually until it is safe for everyone to return to live, in-person events together.
Now, we are excited to be holding in-person conferences while also continuing to offer live-online (virtual) options to bring Providers and Suppliers together.
How It Works
During each Reverse Expo session, the provider executives sit at counter high tables. Each one has an ID sign behind them, clearly marking their facility, city and state, and a placard on the table in front of them, noting their name, job title and booth number. Booth maps are available to facilitate easy navigation of the expo hall.
In practice, the concept is very similar to speed dating (but without the bell). The supplier attendees flow through the hall, meeting with the providers one-on-one at their booths and exchanging business cards. We request that all conversations be kept to 5 minutes in the expo hall to facilitate a smooth, steady flow and maximize the networking potential for each attendee. We have found that 5 minutes is an ample amount of time for providers to recognize whether the product or service will meet their needs, and also for suppliers to identify a viable business opportunity. However, if you feel you need more time, feel free to return and finish your conversation.
Does 5 minutes seem too short? The Reverse Expo isn’t the only draw!
See The HCP Difference for a recap of all the time shared by providers
and suppliers during our conference.
Team Members
Hopeful Bennett, Customer Relationship Coordinator
Robert Blackstone, Conference Network Administrator
Rachael Brownlie, Customer Relationship Coordinator
Michael Cardarelli, Provider Relations Executive – Supply Chain
Dave Carson, National Sales Manager – Post-Acute Care
Kara Carter, National Sales Manager – O.R.
Leslie Clark, Accounting Manager
Ramon Coley, Provider Recruitment Executive – Pharmacy & Pharmacy Buyers
Shannon Fierro, Vice President of Provider & Supplier Relations
Susan Griffin, Accounting Coordinator
Liz Grotte, Director of Supplier Relations – Radiology
Andrew Head, Director of Education & Professional Development
Amy Johnson, Provider Relations Director – Pharmacy & Pharmacy Buyers
Brian Legan, Controller
Chantel Mace, Travel & Logistics Manager
Diana Maxham, Director of Events & Marketing
Paige Murphy, Provider Relations Manager – Post-Acute Care
Diva Payne, National Account Manager – Pharmacy & Pharmacy Buyers
Jason Pennington, Vice President of Software Development
Jessica Peterson, Communication Coordinator
Jeff Riedinger, Provider Relations Executive – O.R. & Radiology
John Romans, Market Director – I.T. & Post-Acute Care
Joseph Stevens, Marketing Manager
Pete Thompson, Software Engineer
Taylor Walsh, Graphic Designer
Kelli Whittle, Event Coordinator