The UGM Conference, hosted by Epic Systems, kicked off on Monday at their Verona campus, drawing over 7,000 attendees to the Madison and Verona area. This event unites partners of the health IT organization, allowing Epic organizations from across the globe to showcase innovations and discuss common challenges in peer-to-peer sessions and focus groups.
To ensure a successful event, Epic collaborated with local organizations such as Destination Madison and the Dane County Airport. Destination Madison facilitated the arrangement of numerous hotel accommodations for attendees, while the airport worked alongside Epic to manage flights and transportation, ensuring smooth operations for other passengers throughout the week.
The conference is also anticipated to provide a significant economic boost to the community. Rob Gard, Director of Communications at Destination Madison, noted that local businesses, including restaurants and retail shops, will benefit from the influx of visitors. He estimates that the conference will generate approximately $8.2 million in spending from the attendees.
With the Epic campus in Verona, the area is receiving heightened attention. The local chamber of commerce has informed businesses to prepare for larger crowds during this busy week, as Executive Director Le Jordan highlighted the excitement for organizations to showcase their offerings.
As visitors navigate around Epic and the Dane County Airport, increased traffic is expected throughout the week. The conference will continue for the remainder of the week.