6 Must-Attend Healthcare Marketing Conferences in 2026
We’ve rounded up the most relevant healthcare marketing events for 2026, from general to highly specialized physician-focused summits.
By Paul Peterson
If you work in healthcare marketing, you understand how crucial it is to stay up to date on the latest shifts in compliance standards and best practices. What better way to do this than by attending a conference, where you can dedicate time to exploring and understanding healthcare marketing trends and making new professional connections?
Here are six key healthcare marketing conferences to consider attending in 2026 so you can stay ahead of the curve and future-proof your institution’s approach. Keep an eye out for Casual Astronaut at these events — or reach out now to connect right away!
1. AAMC Conference for Institutional Advancement
April 21–24 | Miami
Cuts to research funding, restrictions on student visas and the weakening of federal agencies charged with safeguarding America’s health are bound to be discussed at the Association of American Medical Colleges conference, designed specifically for communications and marketing professionals at medical schools, academic health systems and teaching hospitals.
2. HMPS Summit
May 4–6 | Salt Lake City
Now in its 31st year, the Healthcare Marketing & Physician Strategies Summit attracts healthcare executives responsible for marketing, communication, digital strategy, physician relations, and customer experience and engagement. In sessions, senior-level executives from healthcare organizations nationwide share actionable strategies and solutions to steer your organization into the future.
3. NACCDO–CMCA Conference
April 27–30 | Toronto
A collaboration between the National Association of Cancer Center Development Officers and the Cancer Marketing & Communications Association (formerly the Public Affairs and Marketing Network), this annual conference brings together fundraising/development, marketing, communications and public relations professionals for 3½ days of panels, workshops and unique networking opportunities. Most sessions qualify for CFRE continuing education credits.
4. DHIS Venture & Partnering Conference
April 27–28 | Boston
Attendees at the Digital Healthcare Innovation Summit come from a range of backgrounds, from healthcare investors to startups to providers, and the event programming is tightly focused on driving healthcare innovation and digital health. This conference is geared toward executives — think C-suite, VPs, and managing directors and partners.
5. SHSMD Connections
Sept. 27–29 | Baltimore
The Society for Health Care Strategy & Market Development’s annual conference includes keynote presentations, executive panel discussions, peer-led sessions and curated networking experiences with hospital and health system leaders from across the country. More than 1,500 attendees are expected to attend, including decision-makers responsible for driving organizational growth, innovation and digital patient engagement.
6. HCIC
Oct. 25–28 | Orlando
The Healthcare Interactive Conference equips marketers and digital leaders to realign their marketing and digital strategies while elevating their teams and organizations. Event participants can expect tech-focused presentations that express the importance of both digital and human advancements to improve the patient journey.
Forge Strong Audience Connections
Casual Astronaut can help you create quality content that drives relationships with potential patients and donors. See our work with Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Penn Medicine and Vanderbilt University Medical Center and more.
Paul oversees client service at Casual Astronaut, working with our account management team to shape content and digital marketing strategies for clients. His nearly 20-year career in marketing and public relations ranges from healthcare to hospitality, consumer products to government relations, high-tech communications to entertainment. Paul’s worked with brands such as Nike, Disney, Johns Hopkins and Cleveland Clinic to build measurable, audience-engagement strategies.
A father to two boys, Paul usually spends his weekends at flag football games, chess tournaments, bowling leagues and coaching soccer (all of which may happen in the same Saturday). And when snow starts to fall in the mountains, he looks for any excuse to hit the slopes.