Ideagoras 2012 … Healthcare in a New Social & Connected World

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I’m too excited to wait, so I’ll just get right to the point.  I’m both thrilled and honored to be speaking at the “Ideagoras 2012” conference in Madrid on the 22nd of November.  I’ve been given an amazing opportunity to share my perspective on a topic that’s been a passion of mine, to be associated with such an impressive list of fellow speakers, and to visit a city, and country, so central to world history.

“Ideagoras” is one of those words that will make people stop and think.  It sounds so intriguing, but what exactly does it mean?  Well, according to Wikipedia, the term refers to, “places on the Internet where large numbers of people or businesses gather to exchange ideas and solutions”.  And that’s exactly what both Ideagoras (the company) and Ideagoras 2012 (the conference) are all about.

My journey to Ideagoras 2012 started years ago

I established my account on Twitter just three-and-a-half years ago.  And while that may seem like a short time, in “Social Media Years” that actually makes me a veteran.  After all, Twitter was born in March of 2006.  So I’ve been stomping around in these waters for more than half of its existence.

Along the way, I met (virtually) a gentleman who can best be described by terms like passionate, positive, and visionary.  He’s also one of the individuals who early on made me realize that on Twitter, geographic distance between parties is irrelevant in the relationship.   I’m referring to Angel Gonzalez … also known as @angel189 on Twitter.  And perhaps having the opportunity to finally meet him “in-real-life” is what I’m looking forward to most of all.

Angel is the founder and CEO of Ideagoras, a company that creates truly engaging relationships through free, honest and relevant conversations between healthcare brands and consumers.  It’s simply amazing how two people (Angel and I) have truly “connected”, established a friendship, and even a working relationship without ever yet meeting in person.

Such is the power and reach of social media.

Topics and speakers at Ideagoras 2012

At the Ideagoras Conference I’ve been asked to discuss not just healthcare social media, but specifically Twitter, it’s evolution in the healthcare industry, its use among healthcare professionals and patients, our healthcare hashtag project, and the importance of social media analytics for business.
Of course, as mentioned, I’m only one voice among many.  Other keynote speakers at Ideagoras 2012 are …

• Marc Vidal (@marcvidal):  Entrepreneurship in the new Collaborative Economy
• Antonio Ibarra (@Contraejemplo):  Fostering Social Media in Big Pharma´s
• Francisco Lupiañez (@flupianez):  Evidence Based Social Media
• Michaela Endemann (@wissit):  Some bits about Healthcare Social Media in German Speaking Countries: Austria, Germany, Switzerland
• Anabel Salazar (@salazaranabel):  Dr2.0 Like Me
• Christina Anthogalidis (@binaryhealth):  Physician & Consumer Insights in Social Media
• Elena Sáinz (@educadies):  Empowering patients through the Social Web
• Verónica Botet(@veronicabotet):  Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway
• Paul Connolly (@PGConnolly):  From Inspiration to Reality: the Power of Light

It’s like I said at the onset of this post … I’m quite humbled to be associated with this group.

Ideagoras 2012 … live or online

Don’t miss the Ideagoras 2012 conference, whether it be in-person attendance or via catching the live stream which will be embedded at www.ideagoras.biz.  And, of course, you can always follow the #Ideagoras hashtag on Twitter.  Either way, it’s sure to be an energized and enlightening experience.

Thomas M. Lee, B.S., NHA - @tmlfox

Spends days connecting dots in healthcare social media. Co-founder of Symplur and The Healthcare Hashtag Project. Curious by nature.