The 2026 Healthcare Design Conference + Expo heads back to “The Big Easy,” Oct. 17-20, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. The annual event features more than 100 educational sessions, networking events, and a bustling exhibit hall showcasing the latest products and services for healthcare environments.
This year’s conference also features four keynote sessions covering a range of topics and insights for healthcare design professionals. Here’s an overview of this year’s lineup. For more details and the full schedule, visit hcdexpo.com.
Healthcare Design Conference + Expo keynote sessions overview
Richard Heinzl
Sunday, Oct. 18, 8-9:25 a.m., Welcome and Opening Keynote
Kicking off this year’s conference programming with the opening keynote is Richard Heinzl, founder of the Canadian chapter of Doctors Without Borders and CEO of My Next Health (New York). Heinzl will discuss how artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, nanotechnology, and genomics are shaping healthcare innovation and their impact on care delivery in underserved regions. The keynote will draw on Heinzl’s experience using telemedicine to overcome geographic barriers while working with Doctors Without Borders, a humanitarian organization that provides emergency aid and medical care in areas affected by conflict, natural disasters, and disease outbreaks.
Anne DiNardo
Sunday, Oct. 18, 12:15-1:45 p.m., Healthcare Design Magazine Awards Luncheon
The awards luncheon will celebrate the winners of the Healthcare Design magazine’s annual competitions, including the Design Showcase, Remodel/Renovation Competition, Rising Star awards, and The HCD 10. Editor-in-Chief Anne DiNardo will emcee the luncheon, which is open to all attendees.
Jennifer Silvis
Monday, Oct. 19, 8-9:15 a.m., Industry Panel
The second day of keynote presentations begins with a panel discussion featuring Healthcare Design Brand Director Jennifer Silvis and healthcare design professionals. The panelists will explore the pressing issues and opportunities facing the industry today.
Monday, Oct. 19, 2:15-3:30 p.m., Breaking Through Finale
Healthcare Design’s biennial conceptual design competition comes to the keynote stage for its final round. Here, the four finalist teams from EwingCole, Perkins&Will, SmithGroup, and STV, Inc., will present live on stage their concepts. Audience members will then vote for their favorite concept in real time, and the team with the most votes will take home the $10,000 prize.
For more details and the full schedule, visit hcdexpo.com.