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YOUR GUIDE TO THE 39TH ANNUAL HEALTHCARE FACILITIES SYMPOSIUM AND EXPO:10 THINGS TO EXPERIENCE
Media Contact:
Sophia Lapat 212.203.6536
[email protected]
Enjoy Three Keynotes and 60+ Sessions, Explore Cutting-Edge Products from 100+ Exhibitors, Partake in Expert Panels in the Design Solutions Theaters, Networking with Healthcare Leaders and Professionals and More
Charlotte, NC (July 20, 2026) — Healthcare Facilities Symposium and Expo, one of the country’s largest shows dedicated to healthcare design and facilities, returns for its 39th annual event to the Charlotte Convention Center, September 28-30. This must-attend symposium and expo brings together architects, designers, engineers, contractors and healthcare providers to collaborate, share research, hear fresh perspectives and participate in the ever-changing healthcare industry. Attendees will have a chance to sit in on three compelling Keynote Presentations, explore 100+ Exhibitors, be inspired by industry leaders at daily Conference Sessions, explore one of Charlotte’s biggest Healthcare Facilities, enjoy Networking Events and much more.
- Explore the Future of Healthcare Design
The expansive Expo Hall features the latest furnishings, wall coverings, lighting, technology, flooring, and modular and healthcare solutions from 100+ long-standing, returning exhibitors, as well as first-timers. Don’t miss hands-on demos and intimate talks with key manufacturers and service providers including a mix of newcomers and long-time exhibitors including: AkitaBox, Bestbath, Cortech, CTI, Essex Electronics, Odulair, PATCRAFT, Pineapple Contracts, PORCELANOSA, SESCO Lighting, Sherwood Windows, Sky Factory, Skyline Art, STERIS, Fellowes, Haws Corporation, Staples Business and YA Group.
- Hands-On Hub
New for 2026, the Experiential Areas in the Expo Hall offer attendees immersive, hands-on opportunities to explore innovative healthcare environments, products, and solutions beyond the traditional booth experience. From a full-scale behavioral health patient room and modular healthcare construction showcase to interactive furniture, seating, and water safety demonstrations, these installations allow visitors to experience firsthand how design, technology, and construction innovations improve patient care, staff wellbeing, and operational performance. Featured experiences include showcases from La-Z-Boy Healthcare | Knú Comfort, Wieland Healthcare, Zurn Elkay Water Solutions, AJ Manufacturing & Operamed, and CareAffirm.
- Keynotes Hit the Main Stage
Each year, HFSE features three compelling Keynotes and this year’s speakers include:
Opening Keynote
Monday, September 28, 8:30am
Zap the Generational Gap!
Join multi-generational workplace expert, Meagan Johnson, as she explores how organizations can successfully recruit, retain, and engage employees across today’s five-generation workforce. Through practical insights and real-world examples, attendees will learn how to overcome generational stereotypes, improve communication, and build a culture where every generation can thrive.
Day 2 Keynote
Tuesday, September 29, 9:15am
Bringing together a multidisciplinary panel of experts from the Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo Advisory Board, this interactive keynote will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the planning, design, construction, and operation of healthcare facilities. Through live demonstrations, audience participation, and cross-disciplinary insights, attendees will gain practical perspectives on AI’s opportunities, challenges, and real-world applications across the healthcare built environment.
Closing Keynote
Wednesday, September 30, 11:00 am
The Audacity to Thrive: Creating Transformative Spaces for Grace, Dignity, and Metamorphosis
Join Sydney Harris, Co-Founder, MindCareConnect and Parker Wolff, Co-Founder, MindCareConnect for an inspiring conversation on the future of healthcare design and the power of co-production. Moderated by renowned behavioral health architect Frank Pitts, this thought-provoking session will challenge attendees to rethink traditional approaches, elevate the voices of people with lived experience, and explore how truly collaborative design can create spaces that foster dignity, healing, and better outcomes
- Conversations that Matter
Conference sessions will span multiple topics including Behavioral Health, AI in Healthcare, Pediatric Care, Sustainability, Changing Workforce and Safety and Crisis Management and more. A few highlights include:
HOW AI IS RESHAPING HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTS, OPERATIONS, AND HUMAN EXPERIENCE
AI is transforming healthcare facilities, operations, and patient experiences. Learn how healthcare organizations are leveraging emerging technologies to improve efficiency, enhance care delivery, and shape the future of healthcare environments.
DESIGNING FOR EQUITY AT SCALE: BUILDING A HIGH-PERFORMING MEGA PROJECT TEAM
Learn how the team behind the 1.3 million-square-foot Harris Health LBJ Replacement Hospital built a collaborative, mission-driven approach to deliver a complex safety-net hospital while advancing equity, innovation, and community impact.
A CONTINUUM OF CARE: THREE DESIGN LENSES FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Explore how design can support the full behavioral health continuum, from acute psychiatric care and substance use disorder treatment to crisis stabilization, helping healthcare organizations respond to growing mental health needs.
- Next Gen
The Healthcare Facilities Symposium and Expo’s Symposium Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program started in 2023 and gives recognition to those individuals with less than 10 years (non-consecutive) of experience in healthcare design and construction including research and/or education. The recognition includes attending the 2026 HFSE in Charlotte September 28-30 and participating in all activities surrounding the event.
- Meet the Winners
The Symposium Distinction Awards recognize design teams, projects and individuals who have made a profound contribution to the healthcare design industry. The program accepts submissions of all types and sizes of patient care-related facilities. In addition, it recognizes the best and most innovative new products within the healthcare design & construction industry. Winners will be announced on Monday, September 28 during a celebratory luncheon.
- Connections That Count
Mix and mingle with new and old friends at daily events including the Networking Breakfast opening morning to kick off the 2026 Symposium (Monday, September 28, 7:00-8:15 am). The Grand Opening of Exhibit Floor and Symposium Party kicks off at 4:00pm and features lite bites, cocktails and the ever-popular Raffle that benefits Hospitality House of Charlotte.
The Expo Hall will also be home to the Networking Lunch, Ice Cream Social and many more fun and engaging events on Tuesday, September 29. Later that evening the Happy Hour is a chance for all attendees to gather for some post event fun at Church and Union. For the full schedule visit, Schedule At a Glance – Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo.
- Healthcare Designs Come to Life in the Gallery
The HFSE Design Team Gallery is an exclusive area for AEC firms to showcase their best healthcare project and expertise to inspire attendees. This year’s participants include: Arcadis, BSA, Array Architects, DLR Group | Tsoi Kobus Designs, E4H Environments for Health Architecture, EwingCole, HCM, HDR, HGA, HKS, HOK, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, PAYETTE, Perkins Eastman, Perkins&Will, RWDI Climate & Performance Engineers, Stantec, and ZGF.
- Behind the Build: Charlotte Facility Tours
On Sunday, September 27, 1-5pm, HFSE will be offering two Facility Tours. The first Tour will be held at the Novant Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic. This facility tour explores how transformational gifts from the Michael Jordan family led to this community clinic centered on access, dignity, and trust in historically marginalized neighborhoods in the North End of Charlotte, North Carolina. During the tour, staff from Neighboring Concepts and Novant Health will showcase the challenges and opportunities to cater to a healthcare environment to underserved populations from both an architectural and operational standpoint. Attendees will learn how thoughtful design can repair trust, elevate equity, and lead to measurable community health impacts. operations, flow, welcoming, inclusive, empathy “what would you want your experience to be like.”
The 2nd Tour will be held at the David L. Conlan Center at Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation Completed in 2023 by DPR Construction in partnership with Rodgers Builders, the David L. Conlan Center at Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation marks the first phase of Atrium Health’s broader modernization of the Carolinas Medical Center campus in Charlotte, North Carolina. Designed by NBBJ, the facility supports Atrium Health’s continued investment in advanced rehabilitative care and long-term campus growth. The project is part of a major campus expansion totaling more than 1.3 million square feet and includes three pedestrian bridges connecting the new facilities to the existing hospital campus and surface parking. Participants will have the opportunity to see progress on the adjacent one-million-square-foot CMC Main New Bed Tower, another major component of Atrium Health’s campus modernization.
- A Cause Worth Celebrating
The Healthcare Facilities Symposium has a long history of selecting charitable organizations each year, holding a raffle onsite and donating the proceeds to that charitable organization. What started as a small endeavor has grown to a highlight of the annual event with diverse organizations across the country benefitting from the generosity of the HFSE community. Since 2006, HFSE has donated over $235,000 to various charitable organizations. The Raffle continues to be a favorite event for attendees and this year’s beneficiary is Hospitality House of Charlotte. Hospitality House of Charlotte creates a supportive community for patients connecting with vital medical care. When families are experiencing a medical crisis, we provide more than just a temporary place to stay; we provide access to healthcare and a community of support.
For more information or to register, please visit www.hcarefacilities.com.
ABOUT HEALTHCARE FACILITIES SYMPOSIUM AND EXPO
The mission of the Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo is to ignite change and advance healthcare delivery through innovative physical spaces. Here, competitors become collaborators, clients become friends, and colleagues share fresh perspectives, research, and insights, driving forward the dynamic conversation of our industry. Together we thrive.
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