The good news is that there are plenty of conference choices! Given limited time and funds, which ones make the most sense to attend? Obviously, it depends on what you hope to achieve: promoting your ideas or company, connecting with new or existing clients, learning about new approaches or areas, reconnecting with former colleagues, or finding your next opportunity. Even though conferences will likely continue to be virtual this year, they still have value in meeting many of these needs. Your main area of focus and the audience with which you want to connect will help you determine the best conference to attend. I will tell you about my favorite conferences, based on my diverse, but by no means comprehensive, experience.
Intellus Worldwide is my go-to market research organization (formerly PMRG and PBIRG). The focus is medical market research and the audience includes end clients from pharmaceutical and medical device companies, market research vendors, and suppliers – including sample, facility, translation, and other supportive services. The organization has shifted to a year-round membership focus vs. being conference-centric. It is a great place to learn new methods and interact with others in the industry. Of course, I am biased. This is the conference I have attended most over the years. In addition, I lead the Health Literacy Initiative – we hope to raise awareness and provide education (if you are interested in more information, please let me know). This year, I am lucky to be presenting twice, once with the Health Literacy Team on the behavioral impact of simple communications on correct mask-wearing. I’m also presenting with my Branding Science colleagues, Jason Mandelbaum and Hiba Rahman-Vyas, on Virtual Observation Approaches. If you want to register for the Summit in April, go to this link.
The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) Healthcare Conference is another conference I frequently attend. The focus is on human factors (HF), not market research (MR). The audience includes HF engineers from end-client companies, HF vendors, suppliers, FDA personnel, and academics (e.g., professors and students). There are several tracks you can follow: Patient Safety, Digital Health, Hospital Environments, Medical and Drug Delivery Devices, and Education and Simulation. This is a must for those focused on HFs in the medical field. Here you can learn the basics of HF research, as well as the latest techniques and guidelines. If you want to register for the conference in April, go to this link.
The MedTech Conference is a recent favorite of mine. It typically occurs in late September or early October. The focus is on the MedTech business and regulations. Most of the MedTech companies have a presence, whether they are marketing capital equipment, medical devices for specific conditions, digital health, or components needed for medical equipment. The audience includes professionals from the C-Suite, Marketers, Investors, and Start-Ups. One of the exciting parts of the conference is the MedTech Innovator, which is the largest accelerator of MedTech in the world. If you want to find out the future of MedTech, this is the place.
Of course, there are other choices of conferences. I have attended the Pharma Market Research Conference (PMRC) twice, which is focused on market research in the pharmaceutical industry. They have a few session formats: master class, presentations, panels, and roundtables. I have been to IIEX Health twice, which is also focused on healthcare market research. It is run by GreenBook with an emphasis on techniques and tools with short Ted-Talk-like sessions. There are some market research conferences more focused on consumer insights, such as The Quirks Event (I have enjoyed attending/presenting), Insights Association, and The Market Research Event (TMRE). If you are focused on qualitative market research, the Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA) is a great place to learn qualitative techniques. All are good choices depending on what you are trying to accomplish.
Having attended most of these conferences, I have gravitated to three favorites: Intellus Worldwide for medical market research; HFES Healthcare for healthcare HFs; and the MedTech Conference for the latest in MedTech business. The combination of these three have helped me connect, learn and grow as a human factors and market research professional working in MedTech. Hopefully, I will see you at one of these! What are your favorite conferences?