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Scaling Innovation at HLTH 2025: A Conversation with Rich Scarfo (part 1)

Scaling Innovation at HLTH 2025: A Conversation with Rich Scarfo (part 1)

Rich Scarfo

President, HLTH

Rich Scarfo is a visionary leader and event innovator who has built his career on redefining how industries connect. As President of HLTH, he spent the past seven years transforming the startup into the world’s leading healthcare innovation event and helped launch HLTH Europe, now entering its second year. He was the driving force behind ViVE, launched in 2022, which has rapidly become the top event for C-suite leaders and decision-makers, and the industry’s brightest companies, in digital health and health IT.

Known for breaking industry norms, Rich has a storied background that includes senior roles at CES, where he helped expand the show into a broader consumer tech platform, and co-launching E3, which became the flagship event for the video game industry. He also held leadership roles at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health and HIMSS, where he created the Personal Connected Health Alliance following HIMSS’s acquisition of his first event—the mHealth Summit. Across every chapter, Rich has built platforms that challenge the status quo and deliver real impact.

Scaling Innovation at HLTH 2025: A Conversation with Rich Scarfo (part 1)

In this first episode of a special two-part series, Bright Spots in Healthcare host Eric Glazer sits down with Rich Scarfo, President of HLTH, to explore how one of the most influential healthcare events in the world continues to evolve.

With HLTH 2025 taking place this October 19–22 in Las Vegas, Rich reveals what’s new this year—from immersive zones on AI and diagnostics, to physician and nurse engagement programs, to the expanded startup pavilions and Investor Connect opportunities. He also shares a blueprint for payers, providers, pharma, and innovators on how to get the most value out of their time at HLTH, including can’t-miss sessions, networking strategies, and hidden gems across the show floor.

Whether you’re a health plan executive, provider leader, startup founder, or healthcare innovator, this episode offers a practical guide to navigating HLTH 2025 and turning conversations into action.

Stay tuned for Part Two, where the discussion shifts to how HLTH serves as a growth engine for solution providers.

Resources:

Take a look at what’s in store at HLTH 2025 – https://hlth.com/events/usa

Attend HLTH using discount code H25_BSV for $250 off the General Attendee ticket – https://hlth.com/events/usa/register/

Partner with Bright Spots Ventures: If you are interested in speaking with the Bright Spots Ventures team to brainstorm how we can help you grow your business via content and relationships, email hkrish@brightspotsventures.com 

Rich Scarfo

President, HLTH

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