Design Decisions Shape Care
The 2026 Healthcare Design (HCD) Conference + Expo, co-located with the International Federation of Healthcare Engineering (IFHE) 29th World Congress, brings together the professionals, products, and ideas driving the future of healthcare environments.
Oct. 17–20, 2026 | Ernest N. Morial Convention Center | New Orleans, LA
About HCD and IFHE 2026
Two Events. One Shared Purpose.
The IFHE 29th World Congress brings the global healthcare engineering and facilities community to New Orleans for its first-ever co-location with HCD Conference + Expo. For healthcare facility managers, engineers, planners, operations leaders and the architects and designers who work alongside them, it’s the most expansive gathering the industry has seen.
The IFHE 29th World Congress and HCD Conference + Expo share a single venue for the first time, creating a unified platform where the professionals who design and build healthcare environments work alongside those who run and operate them.
Two events. One venue. The full spectrum of the healthcare built environment. Note that all pass types include IFHE sessions. Access to the full HCD conference program—110+ sessions—requires the IFHE + HCD Full Conference Pass.
Why attend IFHE 2026:
30 IFHE sessions covering engineering strategy, operational readiness, facility planning and global healthcare perspectives.
Shared HCD keynotes, networking events and expo hall access included with both the IFHE Full Conference Pass and the IFHE and HCD Full Conference Pass
Continuing education credits (CEUs) earned through sessions purpose-built for healthcare engineering and facilities professionals
Dedicated IFHE networking events, plus access to joint HCD networking connecting the full spectrum of healthcare built environment professionals
The Nightingale Awards, recognizing outstanding product innovation in the healthcare built environment
The joint expo hall and IFHE Pavilion, where you can source products and solutions relevant to both engineering performance and design
A global perspective, with practitioners from North America, South America, Europe and beyond sharing case studies, lessons and frameworks
When engineering expertise meets design thinking, better healthcare environments follow. This is where both communities come together to make that happen.
Register
Reserve Your Spot Today!
Register now to earn continuing education credits and connect with the professionals shaping the future of healthcare environments.
How to Register:
To register for the IFHE Only Full Conference Pass:
- Visit the registration portal and click the registration link
- Fill in your personal details, answer the required questions, then click Next
- Complete the questions on the second page, then click Next
- Select the Full Conference Pass: IFHE option, then click Next
- Add any workshops, tours or additional items, then click Next
- Review your registration, enter payment information and click Submit
To register for the IFHE + HCD Full Conference Combo Pass:
- Visit the registration portal and click the registration link
- Fill in your personal details and answer the required questions, then click Next
- Complete the questions on the second page, then click Next
- Select the Full Conference Pass: IFHE and HCD option, then click Next
- Add any workshops, tours or additional items, then click Next
- Review your registration, enter payment information and click Submit
You’ll receive a confirmation email at the address used during registration. Once registered, book your hotel through the official HCD housing site for the best rates and availability near the convention center.
Registration Options
IFHE Full Conference Pass - $800
Includes access to all IFHE sessions, HCD keynotes, networking events, the HCD expo hall and IFHE Pavilion, and Solutions Theater sessions. HCD conference sessions are not included with this pass. Pre-conference workshops and facility tours are available as add-ons.
IFHE and HCD Full Conference Pass - $2,489
Includes access to all 30 IFHE-specific sessions on engineering strategy, operational readiness, facility planning and global healthcare perspectives, plus full access to the 110+ session HCD conference program. This is the pass required to attend HCD sessions. Pre-conference workshops and facility tours are available as add-ons.
Available Add-Ons
Tour #1 - $125
The Robert J. and Debra H. Patrick Neuroscience Center
Tour #2 - $125
Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine
Tour #3 - $125
Thibodaux Regional Cancer Institute
Tour #4 - $125
East Jefferson General Hospital
Pre-Conference Workshop - $125
HOPD Designation: What It Really Means for Surgery Center Planning and Design
Companion Pass to HCD Party - $100
Grants access to the Monday Night Networking Party ONLY.
IFHE Cocktail Reception - $100
Expo and Exhibitors
Source the Products Shaping Healthcare Environments
The HCD expo hall is where product discovery happens. Walk the floor to find solutions relevant to your current and future projects, connect directly with manufacturers and service providers, and see what’s new in healthcare design.
Expo Hall Hours:
- Sunday, Oct. 18: 4:30–7 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 19: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 20: 9:45 a.m.–1 p.m.
Conference Program
Sessions Built for the Work You're Doing Now
The 2026 program is live. The IFHE World Congress offers 30 sessions covering engineering strategy, operational readiness, facility planning and global healthcare perspectives. Pair that with the full HCD conference program—110+ sessions spanning future-ready campus design, AI in the built environment, clinical operations and more—and the IFHE and HCD Full Conference Pass delivers the most comprehensive education available at this event.
Full Session Schedule:
The International Federation of Healthcare Engineering (IFHE) 29th World Congress
Where Global Healthcare Engineering Meets Design
The International Federation of Healthcare Engineering (IFHE) 29th World Congress co-locates with HCD Conference + Expo Oct. 17–20 in New Orleans. This is the first time these two communities have shared a single venue, and the convergence is intentional.
The professionals who design and build healthcare spaces. The leaders who operate and manage them. Together, they shape the environments where care is delivered.
As part of the co-located event, IFHE registrants receive access to shared keynotes, the joint expo hall and dedicated networking events connecting the full spectrum of healthcare planning, design, construction and operations professionals.
Who the IFHE Congress Is For
ATTENDEES
Healthcare engineering, facilities planning, construction and operations professionals seeking substantive education, practical frameworks and meaningful peer connection. Whether you’re managing a capital project, planning a campus expansion or navigating operational readiness, the program is built around the work you’re actually doing.
EXHIBITORS
The IFHE Pavilion provides direct access to a concentrated audience of facilities and engineering decision-makers. These are the professionals who specify, procure and oversee the systems, infrastructure and environments that support care delivery. The 2026 co-location is expected to bring approximately 250 new attendees to the event.
INTERNATIONAL ATTENDEES
The program reflects the global scope of the Congress, with practitioners from across the world sharing perspectives, case studies and lessons learned. If you need a visa invitation letter, request one early during registration or by contacting [email protected]. Processing times vary by country, so plan ahead.
The 2026 IFHE World Congress is hosted by the Association of Medical Facility Professionals (AMFP) and produced by Emerald X, in partnership with the International Federation of Healthcare Engineering.
Hotel and Travel
Plan Your Time in New Orleans
The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is centrally located in New Orleans, accessible by rideshare, public transit and on foot from most downtown hotels.
Book your hotel through HCD’s official housing partner for preferred rates and availability at properties near the convention center.
Getting to New Orleans
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) serves the city with shuttle services, taxis, Uber and Lyft all readily available from the terminal.
October weather: Mild and comfortable, with daily temperatures ranging from 65 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Light clothing works well during the day; bring a jacket for evenings and air-conditioned spaces.
Getting around: The French Quarter, Warehouse District and convention center areas are walkable. New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) streetcars and buses offer affordable public transit options.
Badge Pickup
Badge pickup is located in The Great Hall Pre-Function area at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Registration Hours
Saturday, Oct. 17
7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 18
6:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 19
6:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 20
7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
For International Attendees
New Orleans is an international destination with all the practical infrastructure to support global visitors.
For a full overview of travel logistics, including customs, transportation and local attractions, visit the AMFP IFHE page.
International Attendee Resources
VISA INVITATION LETTERS
Request one during registration or by contacting [email protected]. Allow ample lead time for processing.
CURRENCY
U.S. Dollar. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are plentiful.
ELECTRICITY
120 volts, 60 Hz, plug types A and B.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Dial 911. We will also have security and first-aid stations onsite at the convention center in New Orleans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Event Basics
When and where is the event?
Oct. 17–20, 2026, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Conference sessions begin Oct. 18. The expo hall opens Oct. 19.
Is there a mobile app?
Yes. The app launches four to five weeks before the show. Watch for details.
What is the IFHE Pavilion?
A dedicated exhibiting space within the joint expo hall, giving organizations direct access to healthcare facilities and engineering professionals who specify, procure and oversee the systems and environments that support care delivery.
Registration and Hotels
I'm having trouble registering. Who can I contact?
Contact Registration Customer Service, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. EDT.
- Phone: +1 833-859-6126
- Email: [email protected]
Are hotel discounts available?
Yes. Book through HCD’s official housing partner for preferred rates near the convention center. Learn more.
Getting to New Orleans
Which airport should I fly into?
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). Shuttle services, taxis, Uber and Lyft are all available from the terminal.
How do I get around?
The French Quarter, Warehouse District and convention center are walkable. RTA streetcars and buses offer affordable transit. Rideshare is widely available. Parking downtown can be limited and costly, so public transit or rideshare is the better option.
What's the weather like in October?
Mild and comfortable. Temperatures range from 65 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit with lower humidity than summer. Light clothing works for daytime; bring a jacket for evenings and air-conditioned spaces.
Practical Information for International Attendees
Do I need a visa?
Requirements vary by country. Visa Waiver Program travelers must apply for ESTA before entry. If you need a visa invitation letter, request one during registration or email [email protected]. Allow ample lead time, as processing times vary.
Are vaccinations required to enter the U.S.?
No special vaccinations are required. Ensure you’re up to date on routine immunizations. Travel insurance is strongly recommended, as U.S. medical care can be expensive without coverage.
What currency is used?
U.S. Dollar (USD). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are plentiful, though foreign transaction fees may apply. Currency exchange is available at the airport and major banks.
What is the time zone?
Central Daylight Time (CDT), UTC –5, in October.
Is Wi-Fi available at the venue?
Yes. The convention center has wireless connectivity. Most hotels also offer Wi-Fi, though fees may apply.
What is the emergency number?
Dial 911 for police, fire or medical emergencies.
Local Highlights
What should I see and eat while I'm there?
Local specialties include gumbo, jambalaya, po’boys, beignets and Gulf seafood. The live music scene spans jazz, blues and brass bands, with Frenchmen Street a highlight for nightly performances. Nearby attractions include the National WWII Museum, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, the French Quarter and the Garden District. October often brings local food festivals and cultural events.
What tipping is expected?
15–20% at restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars, $2–3 per bag for bellhops, $2–5 per night for housekeeping and 10–15% for taxis and rideshare.