National Educational Conference 2026
Join healthcare leaders, students, executives, and partners from across the country for NAHSE's flagship educational experience. This conference is designed to deliver meaningful dialogue, leadership insight, professional growth, and strong community connection.
- Date
- Wed, October 7–9, 2026
- Time
- 7:00 AM – 11:59 PM PDT daily
- Location
- The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites
What to expect
Lights, Camera, Action! The Time Is Now: Transformation, Innovation, and Policy Change
Each year, NAHSE brings together healthcare leaders, innovators, students, and changemakers for a dynamic national experience centered on leadership, strategy, visibility, and action across the healthcare ecosystem.
The NAHSE Annual Educational Conference is a national gathering designed to connect purpose with action. It is where healthcare leaders, policymakers, clinicians, innovators, entrepreneurs, students, and future executives come together to explore what is next and decide who we choose to be in this chapter of healthcare.
This is Los Angeles, and this is our moment. From October 7 to 9, 2026, NAHSE will bring together voices that matter to confront what is next in healthcare and decide how leadership shows up in practice, policy, and community.
This year’s theme is a call to stop waiting for permission. It is an invitation to move beyond ideas and into courageous action, to transform systems that were never designed with all of us in mind, and to reimagine healthcare through equity, innovation, and bold leadership.
Who Attends
Executives, policymakers, clinicians, students, educators, entrepreneurs, and future leaders from across the country gather for learning, visibility, and connection.
What to Expect
Keynotes, panels, leadership conversations, networking experiences, strategic sessions, and the Everett V. Fox Case Competition, all in one national setting.
Everett V. Fox Case Competition
A premier academic and leadership experience that spotlights the brilliance, strategy, and executive presence of the next generation of healthcare leaders, with student teams analyzing and presenting real-world healthcare cases on a national stage.
Conference attire: Business attire, and black tie for the Scholarship & Awards Gala.
- Keynotes, panels and two fireside chats
- Policy and strategy discussions
- Everett V. Fox Case Competition
- Career/Residency Position Fair
- Scholarship & Awards Gala (black tie)
- ACHE Qualified Education credit available
Schedule
Pre-Conference Day | Tuesday, October 6 · Tuesday, October 6
- 10:00 AM Conference Registration
- 12:00 PM NAHSE Golf Tournament at Black Gold Golf Club
- 3:00 PM Case Competition Student Briefing (Student Participants Only)
- 5:30 PM NAHSE Board Meeting
- 6:00 PM Case Competition Student Reception
- 9:00 PM Ambassadors' Briefing
Day 1 | Wednesday, October 7 · Wednesday, October 7
- 7:00 AM Conference Registration
- 7:30 AM Student Case Competition Preliminary Rounds
- 10:30 AM Educational Sessions (3)
- 12:00 PM Case Competition Student & Young Professional Luncheon
- 2:00 PM CEO/Senior Executive Session
- 2:00 PM Educational Sessions (3)
- 2:00 PM Young Professionals Forum
- 2:00 PM Student Case Competition Semi-Finals
- 4:00 PM NAHSE Opening Session
- 6:30 PM Opening Night Reception/Expo Hall Opening (Case Finalists Announced)
Day 2 | Thursday, October 8 · Thursday, October 8
- 6:30 AM Early Morning Activity Session (Health & Wellness)
- 7:00 AM Expo Hall Open
- 7:00 AM Networking Continental Breakfast
- 8:00 AM Conference Registration
- 8:00 AM Student Case Competition Finals
- 8:30 AM NAHSE Membership Meeting
- 10:30 AM Fireside Chat #1
- 12:30 PM NAHSE Luncheon
- 2:30 PM Educational Sessions (3)
- 2:30 PM Young Professional Forum
- 3:00 PM CEO/Senior Executive Session
- 4:00 PM Case Competition Faculty Advisor Session: Crack the Case
- 4:00 PM Career/Residency Position Fair & Reception
- 4:30 PM CEO/Senior Executive Reception
- 8:00 PM Thursday Night Networking Event
Day 3 | Friday, October 9 · Friday, October 9
- 6:30 AM Conference Co-Chairs Challenge (Health & Wellness)
- 7:00 AM Networking Continental Breakfast
- 7:00 AM Expo Hall Open
- 8:00 AM Conference Registration
- 9:00 AM Fireside Chat #2
- 11:00 AM Student Case Competition Debriefing
- 11:00 AM Educational Sessions (3)
- 11:00 AM Mentoring Session
- 12:45 PM Leadership Luncheon
- 3:00 PM Women's Forum
- 3:00 PM Men's Forum
- 7:00 PM Gala Reception
- 8:00 PM Scholarship & Awards Gala
Who you'll hear from
- Richelle Webb Dixon, FACHE Conference Chair; Senior Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer, University of Maryland Medical System
- Cassandra Willis-Abner Conference Co-Chair; Former Chief Human Resources Officer, Press Ganey
Getting there
404 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Flying in: LAX is the closest airport. From LAX (about 25 to 35 minutes, traffic dependent): take I-105 East, continue onto I-110 North toward Downtown LA, follow signs for Downtown / 10 Freeway and exit toward downtown streets, then turn onto Figueroa Street to the hotel at 404 S Figueroa Street.
Parking: Valet parking is available and subject to the hotel parking fee.
Good to know
Business attire for the conference, and black tie for the Scholarship & Awards Gala.
Cancellation requests must be made in writing and emailed to nahsehq@nahse.org no later than September 26, 2026. All cancellations are assessed a $100.00 administrative fee, which NAHSE may waive in emergencies. No refunds are issued after September 26, 2026.
Yes. NAHSE is authorized to award pre-approved ACHE Qualified Education credit (non-ACHE) for this program. Indicate your attendance when submitting your application to the American College of Healthcare Executives for advancement or recertification.
Yes. By attending, participants grant NAHSE permission to use their image, likeness and voice for educational, promotional and informational purposes. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, notify a NAHSE staff member on site.
Registrants consent to NAHSE sharing the attendee list (name, organization and professional title) with sponsors, exhibitors and partners for networking and event purposes. You may opt out by contacting NAHSE before the conference.
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, the conference venue, hosts the NAHSE room block. Use the hotel booking link on the NAHSE conference page.