August 1, 2008

Howdy Partners,

I've recently embraced the phrase "Always drink upstream from the herd" as a mantra. I imagine that it likely originated with a very a forward thinking cowboy and has been passed down through the years.

I imagine this fellow was smarter than most and found one day that by going just a little ways upstream from his herd he could enjoy cleaner, better tasting water. After some time while enjoying his discovery the cowboy looked around and took note of how quiet and airy it was away from the pack. Gone was the dust, and the droppings, and the clamor of the herd. And from that day forward when the cowboy went for his drink, his thoughts were clearer and he felt freer to take in and ponder the world and wonders around him. One day as the cowboy was drinking the water from his ten-gallon hat, he looked up and noticed the view and the vast lands around him - I reckon he could darn well see for miles. Like the water, the view upstream was fresh, exciting and invigorating - not tainted by the herd or influenced by its will and the cowboy liked this new found perspective - seeing things and knowing things that nobody else did.

And so with this unmatched wisdom he made his mark. And the clever cowboy with his "upstream" way of thinking would brave the frontier and chart unknown paths that others would eventually follow.

Welcome to the HealthMedia Revolution, where we think and drink upstream from the herd. Join us for Engage 2009 where we will bring you The Next Frontier.

This year we were deliberate about choosing a venue that would evoke a sense of moving from old to new, one that could provide a backdrop as we define and deliver what we know is the next great advancement in healthcare. We will culminate for our third annual gathering on May 12-14 in San Antonio, Texas - a historical destination with a perfect mix of culture, landscape, and western flare.

Hold on to your hats because we are working on an agenda that is sure to keep you on the edge of your saddle. Our goal is to provide you with the latest and greatest topics and trends from industry leaders and influencers, and present the most cutting edge strategies being used by today's leading health plans and employers to revolutionize their approach to healthcare.

If you go to one conference in 2009, I hope you will make it ENGAGE. If this is your first time, we will wow you. If you are returning, prepare to be wowed again because at ENGAGE 2009 we will deliver an experience that rivals the industry's best. So please, come join us upstream and discover The Next Frontier.

Happy trails amigos,

Signature
Ted Dacko
President, HealthMedia Inc.