Article

Top 5 healthcare leadership conferences in 2026 for C-suite and executives

Published on December 5, 2025 | 4 min read
leadership-healthcare-conferences

Key takeaways

  • Top healthcare leadership conferences offer C-suite executives and decision-makers the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and stay ahead
  • Five conferences in the United States and Europe focus on curated networking and capacity building for an executive audience
  • Early registration is recommended to plan and get the most out of your experience

Each year, healthcare leaders and executives from around the world convene at major conferences to share insights, explore innovation, and shape the future of care delivery.

While artificial intelligence remains a dominant theme, the dialogue has evolved, moving beyond adoption to focus on governance, ethics, and the protection of patient data. Today’s leaders are also equally focused on strengthening system resilience, optimizing operations, and addressing new imperatives across global health.

From digital transformation and cybersecurity to rural care delivery, value-based models, and evolving reimbursement landscapes, the top healthcare leadership conferences in 2026 offer C-suite executives and decision-makers the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and stay ahead of the industry’s next wave of change.

1. ViVE 2026

February 22-25, 2026 | Los Angeles, CA  

Created by HLTH and the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), ViVE is where digital health meets executive leadership. The four-day conference brings together more than 9,000 senior decision-makers, innovators, and policymakers to explore the business of healthcare and the technologies transforming it.

ViVE’s agenda goes beyond innovation hype, diving into actionable strategies around AI integration, cybersecurity, operational efficiency, revenue cycle management, and patient experience. Attendees include C-suite executives from health systems, payers, and technology companies, as well as investors and emerging startups.

Immersive sessions, curated networking, and one-on-one meetings make ViVE 2026 a dynamic environment for healthcare leaders to connect, collaborate, and build the future of digital health. 

To register or learn more, please visit https://www.viveevent.com/

2. HIMSS26 Executive Summit

March 9-12, 2026 | Las Vegas, Nevada

The HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition is one of the world’s most influential gatherings for healthcare professionals, technology leaders, and policymakers. It brings together more than 30,000 global attendees to explore the future of digital health, interoperability, and patient-centered innovation.

For C-suite executives, the HIMSS Executive Summit provides an exclusive space to exchange strategic insights on topics such as AI adoption, cybersecurity, operational transformation, and data-driven care models. Beyond the sessions, the exhibition floor features more than 1,000 leading health technology organizations, showcasing cutting-edge solutions shaping the next generation of healthcare delivery.

With its focus on leadership, innovation, and real-world application, HIMSS26 remains an essential event for decision-makers driving digital transformation across health systems worldwide. 

To register or learn more about this healthcare leadership conference, please visit https://www.himssconference.com/executive-summit/

3. Hospital C-Suite Summit 2026

March 16-18, 2026| Madrid, Spain

One of the top healthcare leadership conferences in 2026, the Hospital C-Suite Summit serves as a global meeting point for hospital executives, healthcare system leaders, and policymakers driving the next era of healthcare transformation. Designed exclusively for senior decision-makers, the three-day summit focuses on executive leadership, operational innovation, and financial sustainability across international health systems. Attendees will explore strategies for navigating workforce challenges, implementing digital transformation, and strengthening governance structures to deliver long-term value.

Attendees can expect keynote sessions from influential hospital CEOs and global health authorities, interactive panels, and benchmarking case studies from leading healthcare institutions worldwide. 

To register or learn more about this healthcare management conference, please visit https://hc-summit.com/

4. Global Executive Healthcare Summit (Hybrid)

June 3-4, 2026| Rochester, Minnesota

Hosted by the Mayo Clinic, this global summit brings together executives, administrators, and policymakers to address the business and leadership challenges defining modern healthcare. Sessions focus on quality improvement, patient experience, innovation strategy, and system design. The event emphasizes evidence-based leadership and provides a platform for C-suite decision-makers to collaborate with international experts on creating sustainable, patient-centered models of care.

To register or learn more about this healthcare leadership conference, please visit :https://ce.mayo.edu/quality/content/global-executive-healthcare-summit-2026#group-tabs-node-course-default1

5. 2026 Global Healthcare Conference

September 15-16, 2026| New York, New York

Baird’s Global Healthcare Conference is one of the healthcare sector’s premier events, bringing together institutional and private equity investors with senior executives from nearly 100 public and privately held companies.

The conference provides a dynamic platform for idea sharing, strategic presentations, and 1:1 meetings between investors and leadership teams shaping the future of healthcare. 

Participating organizations span biotechnology, healthcare supply chain and pharma services, healthcare IT, life sciences, diagnostics, medical technology, and facilities and services.

Following the in-person event in New York, Baird will host a virtual private company track, offering webcast presentations and investor meetings for deeper engagement. 

Although participation is by invitation, this summit remains a cornerstone for healthcare executives and investors seeking insights into sector performance, innovation trends, and growth opportunities worldwide.

To get your invitation, please visit https://www.bairdconferences.com/our-conferences/2026/09/global-healthcare-conference-2026/

Get our latest insights

Join our community and stay up to date with the latest laboratory innovations and insights.

Contributors

Healthcare Transformers Insights headshot

Healthcare Transformers Insights

Healthcare Transformers Insights are expert insights, opinions and strategies aimed at helping healthcare executives deliver improved patient care and financial value across the continuum of care.

Explore articles from our community

Newsletter for healthcare leaders and experts

Written for experts by experts, we offer the healthcare newsletter of choice when it comes to leading healthcare transformation.

Healthcare Transformers delivers insights on digital health, patient experience, healthcare business, value-based care, and data privacy and security—key topics and emerging trends facing healthcare leaders today. Collaborating with esteemed industry experts and innovators worldwide, we offer content that helps you gain first-hand knowledge, explore challenges, and think through solutions on the most pressing developments and issues. Subscribe to our Healthcare Transformers newsletter today and get critical discussions and invaluable perspectives delivered straight to your inbox.