5 Things to Look Forward to at the Annual Leadership Conference

Are you ready to lead what’s next?

Children’s Hospital Association’s Annual Leadership Conference isn’t just another event; it’s the command center for the future of children’s health. It is where the most forward-thinking leaders chart the next era of pediatric care, workforce strategy, and innovation.

The exclusive member event connects senior executive, administrative, strategy, finance, nursing, and physician leaders from children’s hospitals and health systems to learn, inspire, share experiences, and produce change in pediatric health care.

Leaders will gather in San Diego in November to engage in education sessions and poster presentations focused on policy, workforce, operational excellence, and financial stability.

From meeting peers to visiting a new destination, here are five things to look forward to at the conference.

1. Connecting with other leaders.

Chat with new and old friends and colleagues dedicated to improving children’s health. Conversations over coffee, in hallways, and at networking events can lead to fresh ideas and new collaborations.

A previous attendee said, “The networking is invaluable. Hearing from members about what they are doing and what has and hasn’t worked offers so many opportunities.”

2. Inspiring keynotes. 

Hear from respected leaders who will share insights on driving change, inspiring teams, and shaping the future of pediatric health care leadership. 

• In Suneel Gupta’s keynote, you’ll learn the key drivers of emotional resilience and how to create result-oriented paths for your team’s daily work.
• Listen to diverse perspectives from a panel of children’s hospital leaders as they share real-world examples of integration challenges, success stories, and intentional strategies behind nurturing collaborative cultures.

3. Exploring strategies shared in 29 education sessions.

Presenters will share powerful strategies and insights on leading through change, building inclusive cultures, and driving systemwide impact.

From financial improvement plans to AI solutions, sessions will offer inspiration and actionable takeaways.

4. Discussing projects and ideas from 18 posters.

Poster presentations provide one-on-one time to discuss projects and ideas with other children’s hospital leaders. Engage with presenters and dive into topics, ask questions, and gain insights you may not get anywhere else.

5. Enjoying the waterfront city.

Enjoy amazing views of the bayfront from the event location just minutes from downtown San Diego. The southern California city has it all: beaches, museums, vibrant food scenes, and outdoor adventures.

We’re looking forward to three exciting days with the nation’s most forward-thinking leaders in children’s health.