When Colin Hung reaches out and invites me to HITMC, I go. This was my first time at this conference, which was its 10th year (Congratulations!! ), and quite the event. I found the sessions to be informative and the networking was great.
The keynote presentation by D.J. Vance, the author of The Warrior Within was invigorating; and I was taking notes as he spoke. He got us all to consider what a true warrior was through storytelling and examples, provided insights into the Ottawa society and culture and helped me think about my role and what I can do to make things better. It was a great way to start the second day.
Jess Clifton moderated the Press Panel and did a wonderful job of guiding the discussion with Gerard Ramalho, Doug Harris, and lo and behold, another Fred, Fred Bazzoli. We discussed ideas on how to pitch your story, what resonated, what not to do (send a Press Release via email with nothing else), and what some of the current hot topics are. I enjoyed discussing our radio show PopHealth Week, HealthcareNOW Radio, and podcasts with this distinguished group. Later the conference offered a Press Pitch event which allowed marketing and PR firms to sit down and talk with various members of the press about stories they had.
But it wasn’t all work. The conference held a reception on the second evening hosted by ClarityQuest that included a dance contest for charity. The 1st and 2nd place winners would get a donation made in their name to the charity of their choice. How’d it turn out? Well, I was very excited to have $750 donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in my name.
Will I go to HITMC next year? You bet. Not only to defend my dancing title but more importantly for the knowledge and networking. A shout-out to John Lynn and Colin Hung for the excellent job they did and I’m sure they were supported by an amazing group whom I should recognize.
And if you’d like to see a bit of my post-announcement victory dance, here it is:
You absolutely need to be back next year to defend your title!🕺🏻 #HITMC pic.twitter.com/MDYgNZnzIk
— Ashley Dauwer (@amariedauwer) February 4, 2023