Third Annual Healthcare Information Technology Leadership Summit Set for December 4, 2012

Online, September 24, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Applications Now Available for Intel Innovation Awards

The 3rd annual Health IT Leadership Summit will take place on December 4, 2012, at community technology network the Fox Theatre from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The 2012 Summit, which is hosted by event sponsor Verizon Wireless, will address meeting future healthcare needs through the use of innovative approaches and technologies to improve the population's health, and the quality and cost of healthcare.

Also announced today is the call for submissions for the Innovation Awards sponsored by Intel, to recognize the health IT companies who are using technology in innovative ways, demonstrating strong clinical and financial benefits, or finding new ways to address specific disease states or improve patient health.

Four finalists will be selected and featured at the 2012 Health IT Leadership Summit and one will be recognized as the top innovator. The winner will also be showcased by Intel as an innovation leader at 2013 HIMSS and in other Intel promotions. The entry form is on the Summit website at www.HealthITLeadershipSummit.org. Entries are due by September 14, 2012.

The Summit ranks as one of the nation's premier health IT events. Last year's Health IT Leadership Summit brought together a sell-out crowd of more than 600 business leaders, healthcare providers, and public and private organizations. The Summit was founded in 2010 by three organizations, all dedicated to supporting the growth of the Health IT industry: the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber and Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) Health.

Additional information and registration: www.HealthITLeadershipSummit.org.

Georgia, the Nation's Health IT Capital

Georgia is the health IT capital of the U.S. and is home to more than 200 Health IT companies and seven companies on the HCI-100, including McKesson Technology Solutions, which is ranked the world's largest by Healthcare Informatics. Georgia's health IT companies employ approximately 16,000 people in the state. Georgia's health IT industry thrives due to the concentration of best-in-class health IT vendors, nationally recognized care providers, global public health organizations such as CARE and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and a continuum of workforce development programs that ensure trained employees at all levels.

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)

The nonprofit networking organization Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 14,000 members and hosting over 170 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG's mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia's technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia's technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state's economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG's charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at www.tagonline.org or TAG's community technology center website at www.TAGthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit http://www.tagedonline.org/.

About The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD)

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) plans, manages and mobilizes state resources to attract new business investment to Georgia, drive the expansion of existing industry and small business, locate new markets for Georgia products, inspire tourists to visit Georgia, and promote the state as a top destination for arts events and film, music and digital entertainment projects. Visit www.georgia.org.

About Metro Atlanta Chamber

Everything we do at the Metro Atlanta Chamber - from recruiting businesses to Atlanta from all over the world, to tackling policy issues - is about creating jobs and prosperity to help Atlanta thrive. Our board is made up of Atlanta's top business leaders. Our professional staff serves 4,000 member companies that employ nearly 1 million workers. We focus on recruiting headquarters and global business -- and companies in the supply chain and advanced manufacturing, bioscience, technology and business services sectors. In public policy, we tackle critical issues such as transportation, water and education. For members, we offer 150+ events and activities each year. In sports, MAC's Atlanta Sports Council has helped drive almost $2 billion in economic impact through sporting events over the last 10 years. For more information on MAC's Health IT initiatives please contact David Hartnett at dhartnett@macoc.com or visit our website www.healthit.metroatlantachamber.com.

About TAG Health

TAG Health is one of 31 special interest groups that make up the Technology Association of Georgia, which is a 17,800-member organization. TAG Health's mission is to create an environment that fosters economic development through health technology in the state of Georgia. That mission is fulfilled through programs and events for our members and guests, which include corporate, government, education and entrepreneurial leaders throughout the state. As the federal government makes funds available for the adoption of healthcare technology, TAG Health is leading the way by bringing together providers, payers, vendors, as well as government and education leaders. For more information visit: www.tagonline.org/tag-health.php.

Media Contact:

Lynn Hood, lynn@crackerjack-marketing.com, 678-974-2623