By John Wallace
A return to Wisconsin for an HTM Mixer supported by the Wisconsin Biomedical Association (WBA) attracted 133 attendees with 49 industry-specific companies showcasing their solutions in a busy exhibit hall.
“This is our third time teaming up with the Wisconsin Biomedical Association and each time keeps getting better and better. They are an exceptional organization to work with,” MD Publishing’s Kristin Leavoy said.
WBA members praised the HTM Mixer for its quality educational sessions, exhibit hall, networking events. It helped that the HTM Mixer was approved for 10 CEUs by the ACI.
WBA Secretary Mitch Von Ruden, who also serves as HTM Manager at Mayo Clinic, provided a glowing review.
“The mixer this year was really excellent, seemed to attract a lot of attendees and vendors. It was great to see and network with so many Women in Leadership (WIL) that came to the event and honestly enhanced the environment and discussion!” Von Ruden exclaimed.
“The amount of vendors at the vendor show was excellent! Great variety and multiple modalities represented,” he said and mentioned that rad, biomed and ultrasound were just some of the modalities represented.
“The HTM Mixer in Milwaukee was a great event, it was really well organized with an upbeat vibe. The food and drinks were excellent, the entertainment was fun, and the vendor show was impressive with lots of variety and chances to connect with people in the field,” Von Ruden said. “It was a perfect mix of networking and having a good time.”
In addition, Von Ruden was thankful for the HTM Mixer.
“I just want to thank John, Kristin, and the entire team at MD Expo for their support of the WBA and the entire HTM community,” he said.
Larry Fennigkoh, Ph.D., P.E., is a professor emeritus, biomedical engineering at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He has attended several HTM Mixers and MD Expos. He said this HTM Mixer stood out because of its ability to generate excitement among biomeds.
“The Milwaukee HTM Mixer, again, provided another great value-added educational, emotionally therapeutic, and networking opportunity for regional biomeds,” Fennigkoh said. “Even though these events are a bit shorter in duration, they are no less valuable in serving and supporting our HTM community. Comparatively, this Mixer captured and preserved all the benefits of the others being just as good or better.”
“The usual and now ‘standard,’ even essential, pre-conference happy hour continues to provide a fantastic opportunity for attendees to connect and reconnect with their peers and old buds. The welcoming atmosphere, great food, and entertainment just sets the stage for a collaborative and learning-filled remainder of the conference,” he added.
Fennigkoh also mentioned the Women in Leadership and the group’s positive impact.
“The women in HTM session was very well attended and received,” he said. “Ann Rovito, her great panel, and especially, the openness of attendees was most enlightening but still sadly revealing on the struggles women continue to face. Nonetheless, the progress, growing numbers of women in HTM, and their contributions continues to be most encouraging. These sessions have been similarly popular and informing at other MD Expo and Mixer events and should be continued.”
Overall, Fennigkoh applauded the ability to consistently deliver quality HTM events.
“Having now attended a number of these Mixers, since their COVID beginnings, the consistent benefits are many and energy is always palpable. Not only do they also give a considerable boost to the co-sponsoring local or state biomed societies, they reach a number of biomeds who may be unable to attend the larger conferences,” he said. “Kudos to MD Publishing and the many consistent and incredibly supportive vendors for making these events happen. The entire HTM community benefits and continues to evolve because of these events.”
