I am very happy to launch this blog giving everyone in the medical tourism and global healthcare industry my insight into the industry, what is happening, where, when, and what the future holds for the industry. We are less than two months away from the MTA’s annual congress, the World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress and the excitement and momentum is building and growing every day. This year’s conference should be significantly larger with more attendees, more speakers, more exhibitors and sponsors and more general sessions and workshops than last year. We are hoping for up to 2,000 attendees, about 125 exhibitors and sponsors (the exhibit hall is almost sold out already!), and about 200 speakers. This year we are really excited about our workshops because we had about 5 last year and this year we will over 25 workshops, that are advanced, fast paced, and have some of the healthcare leaders in medical tourism and from health insurance companies teaching them. More insurance companies, employers, and governments have gotten involved in expanding their insurance coverage across borders and allowing patients to travel from one country to another for healthcare. This years congress should be very exciting and fast paced, and I look forward to seeing you all there!

Renee-Marie

Our one on one networking meetings are some of the most valuable time spent at the World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress October 26th-28th 2009 and with our new software system implemented this year we are so excited to offer this new and exciting program exclusively to our attendees. The video will show you to how to use the software to search for attendees coming to the conference and how to invite them to a private meeting and schedule the meeting.

Networking Software Video WATCH NOW

The 2nd Annual World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress would like to announce Beike Biotechnology as a Silver Sponsor at conference on October 26-28th, 2009!

Beike Biotechnology (www.beikebiotech.com ) is a leading biotech company focused on adult stem cell technologies for treating incurable diseases. Beike is contracted to provide stem cells to 27 hospitals worldwide where over 200 patients are treated monthly with our products. Patients have come from over 50 countries to be treated with Beike products and our network of scientists, clinicians and partners have authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles in both Chinese and international publications.

Our research for future treatments is focused mainly on iPS (induced pluripotent stem cells) technology in partnership with several leading scientific groups including Tsinghua University in Beijing. Beike’s scientists have contributed nearly eighty scientific publications published in Chinese journals as well as ongoing clinical studies since our first ALS trial program in 2001. We are currently conducting international-level clinical trials as we focus on bringing our treatments to the western markets. 

Beike Biotech is seeking hospital partners that are interested in providing their patients with the highest quality stem cell treatments; medical tourism facilitators who are looking for the best providers of stem cell therapies for their patients; and any insurance companies who are ready to investigate the business aspects of providing coverage for stem cell treatment.

Patient experiences from Beike stem cell treatments can be seen at http://www.stemcellschina.com.

This is the one event per year where Employers, Self Funded Health Plans, Insurance Companies, and Medical Tourism Facilitators that are looking to outsource healthcare overseas have the opportunity to meet with top International Hospitals and Medical Tourism Companies in one place for the ultimate networking event. As a Silver Sponsor Beike Biotech will receive multiple exciting benefits including premium identification throughout the conference and preferred exhibit booth placement!

“The best Medical Tourism Conference of the year.” This is a comment they have heard over and over from delegates who participated in the first World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress which took place in San Francisco California September 2008. The 2009 World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress promises to match that sentiment and, at the same time, provide even more networking and advanced panel sessions for this international gathering. The conference will feature up to 2,000 attendees, up to 200 speakers, and over 125 exhibitors. Save the date today by going to http://www.Medicaltourismcongress.com  and register for this once a year event, and accomplish in 3 days what would otherwise take you YEARS to accomplish!

Till next time,

~Stephanie

10,000 Private Networking Meetings Now Available at the World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress

Our brand new & exciting networking software has just launched. Attendees are already using this incredible new software to schedule their one-on-one networking meetings.

Attendees for the 2nd Annual World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress are able to chose up to 50 companies to have pre-scheduled one on one networking meetings with over the two day conference. Your invitations for meetings will be accepted, which reduces significantly “no shows”. These meetings will be pre-scheduled and will be up to ten (10) minute meetings.  

Make sure you’re on the List:

• Attendees can begin setting up their profile: August 24th-31^st.
• Attendees can start selecting their meetings: August 31st – September 27^th.
• The computer system will match and schedule your meetings September 28th-October 2nd. Networking meetings will be turned off for this week!
• Attendees will be sent an email reminding them to log in and view their schedules. Attendees will be able to add, delete, modify, and print their schedules. New companies can register and ask for meetings, however spacing will be limited.
• Networking Meetings will be Closed and no other meetings will be pre-arranged after October 18th
• Online registration will be closed from October 19th-26th.
• Onsite registration at the door will cost $2,500 Conference only, $3,000 Conference + Workshops, and $1,500 for Workshops only. Based up on seat availability, seating not guaranteed.

This amazing software program allows you to maximize your time at the medical tourism conference to maximize your networking and business opportunities. If you want to have up to 25 networking meetings in one day then you can do it within this system. Our one on one networking meetings are some of the most valuable time spent at the World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress. With our new software system implemented this year, we can offer this new and exciting program exclusively to our attendees. 

You will find more information about the 2009 World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress™ online at

http://www.medicaltourismcongress.com. We hope you will join us in October; the industry looks forward to your active participation. Please save the date to attend the 2009 World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress™! To find out more information about the Medical Tourism Association please go to hhp://www.medicaltourismassociation.com!

Till next time,
~Stephanie

I am excited to announce the launch of the Medical Tourism Associations blog. Please log on every week to see updated news on the latest with the Medical Tourism Association and the Medical Tourism Industry.

World’s Largest Medical Tourism Conference Announces Pre-Conference Workshop Investment Opportunities in Medical Tourism!

This workshop will discuss what opportunities are available for equity and capital companies looking to invest in medical tourism. It will primarily focus on investment opportunities in medical tourism facilitators. Many investment firms and private equity firms are looking to invest in medical tourism facilitator companies, which are companies which coordinate care for patients traveling overseas. You don’t want to miss out on this great opportunity to learn: 

•What are the future opportunities in medical tourism.

•Identifying the best investment in the right medical tourism facilitator.

•What are the different revenue models for medical tourism facilitators.

•What are the potential returns over a course of 3 years.

•Which are the best business models for medical tourism facilitators.

•Avoiding investments in facilitators with bad business practices or reputations.

•Meeting Medical Tourism Facilitators looking for venture capital or investors.

The pre-conference workshop is Monday, October 26^th, 2009 at 8:00am- 5:00pm, with a break at 12:00-1:00pm for the networking lunch. The Exhibit hall opens conveniently at 5:00pm! This is the one event per year where Employers, Self Funded Health Plans, Insurance Companies, and Medical Tourism Facilitators that are looking to outsource healthcare overseas have the opportunity to meet with top International Hospitals and Medical Tourism Companies in one place for the ultimate networking event.

“The best Medical Tourism Conference of the year.” This is a comment they have heard over and over from delegates who participated in the first World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress which took place in San Francisco California September 2008. The 2009 World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress promises to match that sentiment and, at the same time, provide even more networking and advanced panel sessions for this international gathering.

The conference will feature up to 2,000 attendees, up to 200 speakers, and over 125 exhibitors. Don’t miss out on the 2nd Annual World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress will take place on October 26-28th, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles California USA!

For more information please go to http://www.medicaltourismcongress.com    

Till next time,

~Stephanie

The World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress Announces the Pre-conference After Care and Continuation of Care Workshop.

This workshop will cover what patients need in the form of after care and continuation of care. It will cover protocols and processes that need to be in place for after care, rehabilitation and physician follow up. It will also address issues such as coordinating medical records and the communication between the foreign provider and the domestic provider as well as issues such as privacy. The after care plan should already be in place prior to the patient ever traveling internationally for healthcare and is one of the most important aspects of medical tourism. This workshop will discuss how to successfully implement a after care program for your organization whether you are a hospital, clinic, doctor, insurance company, employer or medical tourism facilitator.

The pre-conference workshop is Monday, October 26^th, 2009 at 8:00am- 5:00pm, with a break at 12:00-1:00pm for the networking lunch. The Exhibit hall opens conveniently at 5:00pm! This is the one event per year where Employers, Self Funded Health Plans, Insurance Companies, and Medical Tourism Facilitators that are looking to outsource healthcare overseas have the opportunity to meet with top International Hospitals and Medical Tourism Companies in one place for the ultimate networking event.

“The best Medical Tourism Conference of the year.” This is a comment they have heard over and over from delegates who participated in the first World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress which took place in San Francisco California September 2008. The 2009 World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress promises to match that sentiment and, at the same time, provide even more networking and advanced panel sessions for this international gathering.

The conference will feature up to 2,000 attendees, up to 200 speakers, and over 125 exhibitors. Don’t miss out on the 2nd Annual World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress will take place on October 26-28th, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles California USA!

For more information please go to http://www.Medicaltourismcongress.com  

Till next time,

Stephanie

World’s Largest Medical Tourism Conference Announces the Pre-Conference Workshop on Ministries of Health!

This workshop will address how Ministries of Health can be involved in the medical tourism industry and utilize medical tourism to increase the quality of healthcare in their country. Medical Tourism is helping countries by creating investment in healthcare infrastructure, the building of new hospitals and clinics, and the investment in new medical technology. Learn how other Ministries of Health are working with their local healthcare providers to set ground rules for those who participate in medical tourism and how Ministries of Health are using Medical Tourism to increase the quality of care to their local patients and population. Case examples of other countries Ministries of Health’s promotion of medical tourism will be featured as well as sample budgets that Ministries of Health can utilize.

The pre-conference workshop is Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 8:00am- 5:00pm, with a break at 12:00-1:00pm for the networking lunch. The Exhibit hall opens conveniently at 5:00pm! This is the one event per year where Employers, Self Funded Health Plans, Insurance Companies, and Medical Tourism Facilitators that are looking to outsource healthcare overseas have the opportunity to meet with top International Hospitals and Medical Tourism Companies in one place for the ultimate networking event.

“The best Medical Tourism Conference of the year.” This is a comment they have heard over and over from delegates who participated in the first World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress which took place in San Francisco California September 2008. The 2009 World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress promises to match that sentiment and, at the same time, provide even more networking and advanced panel sessions for this international gathering.

The conference will feature up to 2,000 attendees, up to 200 speakers, and over 125 exhibitors. Don’t miss out on the 2nd Annual World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress will take place on October 26-28th, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles California USA!

For more information please go to http://www.Medicaltourismcongress.com  

Till next time,

Stephanie

Medical Tourism City, The Largest Social Network in Medical Tourism Announces over 350 Active Members

Medical Tourism City, the Largest Social Network in Medical Tourism and for Global Healthcare, announces that it has over 350 members from over 30 countries actively participating.   The members of medical tourism city are from international insurance companies, health insurance agents, medical tourism facilitators, hospitals, clinics, governments, doctors, healthcare providers, consulting, pharmaceutical companies, medical supply companies and more. 

“The global healthcare community has been a wonderful success.  The social network provides a common place for people to meet, talk and negotiate regardless of what country or time zone they are in,” said Renee-Marie Stephano, Esq, President of the Medical Tourism Association.

The social network and community allows users to:

* Create their own private blog
2) Create own forums and post messages
3) Share photos and videos
5) Create private online networking groups and allow people to join them to discuss ideas
6) Create a private network of business contacts
7) Privately email people and connect with potential business partners

MedicalTourismCity.com “Your Global Healthcare Community” is a project of The Medical Tourism Association and it expects to have at least a thousand active members by January 1, 2010.   The purpose of the online social community is to allow organizations and people involved in global healthcare, medical tourism, medical travel, and health tourism to meet, network, share ideas and thoughts and to grow the industry in a positive direction.  The social network also is a “think tank” where people from different countries share and debate ideas and concepts.

To set up your own free account go to http://www.medicaltourismcity.com.

“The MTA launched the social network as a way for people to find a common place to communicate and grow the medical tourism industry in a positive direction,” said Renee-Marie Stephano, editor of the Medical Tourism Magazine, and President of Medical Tourism Association. “Anyone, anywhere in the world can use the site freely. The most important part is users of the medical tourism city social network will have access to meet business people and colleagues online that otherwise they would never be able to meet,” said Renee-Marie Stephano.
The Medical Tourism Association (Medical Travel Association), also known as the Global Healthcare Association, is the first international non-profit association made up of the top international hospitals, healthcare providers, medical travel facilitators, insurance companies, and other affiliated companies and members with the common goal of promoting the highest level of quality of healthcare to patients in a global environment. Our Association promotes the interests of its healthcare provider and medical tourism facilitators members. The Medical Tourism Association has three tenets: Transparency, Communication and Education. Please visit the Medical Tourism Association at: http://www.medicaltourismassociation.com for more information.

World’s Largest Medical Tourism Conference Announces Pre-Conference Workshop about Ministry of Tourism.

This workshop will address how Ministries of Tourism can utilize medical tourism as a way to boost tourism and economic revenue to their country. Learn how patients are traveling with companions and how the companion’s spending helps increase revenue and economic growth in countries promoting medical tourism. This workshop will also explain how Ministries of Tourism can work and coordinate a medical tourism promotion plan with local hospitals and healthcare providers and will address the importance of the formation of healthcare clusters. Medical Tourism can also bring in investment opportunities to countries in the form of investment in healthcare infrastructure. This workshop will also addresses issues of organizing and coordinating “FAM Trips”, otherwise known as familiarization trips of foreign insurance companies and medical tourism facilitators, and creating medical tourism conferences. Case examples of other countries promotion of medical tourism will be featured as well as sample budgets that Ministries of Tourism can create to promote their country as a medical tourism destination.

The pre-conference workshop is Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 8:00am- 5:00pm, with a break at 12:00-1:00pm for the networking lunch. The Exhibit hall opens conveniently at 5:00pm! This is the one event per year where Employers, Self Funded Health Plans, Insurance Companies, and Medical Tourism Facilitators that are looking to outsource healthcare overseas have the opportunity to meet with top International Hospitals and Medical Tourism Companies in one place for the ultimate networking event.

“The best Medical Tourism Conference of the year.” This is a comment they have heard over and over from delegates who participated in the first World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress which took place in San Francisco California September 2008. The 2009 World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress promises to match that sentiment and, at the same time, provide even more networking and advanced panel sessions for this international gathering.

The conference will feature up to 2,000 attendees, up to 200 speakers, and over 125 exhibitors. Don’t miss out on the 2nd Annual World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress will take place on October 26-28th, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles California USA!

For more information please go to http://www.Medicaltourismcongress.com

Till next time,

Stephanie