MADISON, Wis. – The UGM Conference, hosted by Epic Systems, kicked off on Monday at their Verona campus, attracting over 7,000 attendees to the Madison and Verona regions.
The conference unites partners of the health IT organization, allowing Epic organizations from across the globe to showcase innovations and address common challenges during peer-to-peer sessions and focus groups.
To facilitate the event, Epic collaborated with Destination Madison and the Dane County Airport. Destination Madison organized thousands of hotel accommodations for the participants, while the airport coordinated flight schedules and transportation to ensure smooth operations for other travelers during the week.
This significant gathering is expected to provide a substantial economic boost to the area. “These attendees are dining in our restaurants, shopping at our retail stores, and staying in our hotels, which greatly benefits local business owners and the community as a whole,” stated Rob Gard, Director of Communications for Destination Madison. The group anticipates visitor spending to reach approximately $8.2 million this week due to the Epic conference.
Verona is also receiving increased attention due to the presence of the Epic campus. The local chamber of commerce has ensured that businesses in the area are prepared for larger crowds. “Businesses appreciate hosting different organizations throughout the year, and events like UGM and XGM give them the opportunity to showcase their services,” remarked Le Jordan, Executive Director of the Verona Area Chamber of Commerce.
Attendees can expect heavier traffic around the Epic campus and the Dane County Airport as visitors navigate the area throughout the week.
The conference will last all week.