The World Health Organization's Global Observatory for eHealth (GOe) conducted its first strategic workshop at Bellagio, Italy on April 9 to 11, 2008. Supported by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, the workshop brought together a select group of twenty-one eHealth experts from around the globe to help plan for the future of the Observatory. Participants were chosen from all six WHO regions and included a mix of researchers, practitioners, specialist physicians, academics and consultants. Key issues addressed included: how to build a dynamic and cohesive network of National Observatories to improve worldwide eHealth data collection; analysis and reporting; developing Thematic Working Groups in specialist eHealth themes; eHealth assessment frameworks; the development of the research agenda for the second global survey; cultivating partnerships; and governance.