Conference Highlights
All conference events are included in your registration, and no additional preregistration is required.
Opening Reception and Poster Session
Join us on Wednesday, June 10, at 4:45 pm for our opening reception and poster session to kick off the conference. The poster session will showcase projects from the VITAL2026 call for abstracts, the 2026 Gage Awards winners and honorable mentions, the 2025–2026 Fellows Program, and our corporate affiliate members. Poster authors will be available to answer questions about their projects. To make the most of your evening, you can preview poster abstracts in the mobile app.
Gage Awards Lunch
The Gage Awards celebrate exceptional projects in three categories: population health, quality improvement, and operational excellence. During Thursday’s lunch, we will honor the winners in each category and showcase short videos highlighting their projects and the remarkable work being done at our essential hospitals. These presentations aim to inspire ideas for you to take back to your teams.
Ideas Exchange
Join us Thursday, June 11, from 2–3 pm, for a structured networking roundtable. This isn’t your typical networking session. The Ideas Exchange is a dynamic, structured roundtable designed specifically for the challenges that keep essential hospital leaders up at night. You’ll join colleagues from across the country who are managing the same complex issues you face every day, from workforce shortages and financial pressures to community health initiatives and regulatory challenges. Each small, focused roundtable creates a space for honest conversation, collaborative problem-solving, and the kind of peer-to-peer learning that only happens when you’re among people who truly get it.
Sunset Social
On Thursday evening, wrap up VITAL2026 in style, high above downtown Minneapolis at The Dayton’s Project rooftop terrace and lounge. Enjoy skyline views and sunset cocktails/mocktails alongside casual games, local vendors, and plenty of opportunities to connect, relax, and celebrate the week’s accomplishments.
Minneapolis
Attending VITAL2026 will allow you to network with essential hospital leaders while experiencing the vibrant energy of Minneapolis. The Royal Sonesta Minneapolis is ideally located in the heart of downtown, offering easy access to the city’s diverse entertainment and cultural attractions. Savor award-winning cuisine along the North Loop’s Restaurant Row, catch a performance at the historic State Theatre, stroll through the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, explore the scenic Stone Arch Bridge and riverfront, or experience the thriving arts and nightlife scene. Visit Meet Minneapolis to discover more activities, secure local attraction discounts, and learn more about this dynamic city.