The Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo (HFSE) marks its 38th edition this September, gathering under one roof at the San Diego Convention Center from September 24 to 26, 2025. Known as one of the nation’s largest gatherings focused on healthcare design and facility management, the event draws architects, engineers, contractors, hospital administrators and biotech innovators eager to explore the next wave of physical-space solutions for patient care.
San Diego, a thriving hub of hospitals, research institutes and biomedical firms, hosts the symposium for the sixth time. Organizers highlight the city’s collaborative ecosystem as a catalyst for the “spaces that heal” mindset, where cutting-edge technology meets sustainable design. Attendees can expect a blend of high-level discourse, hands-on demonstrations and informal networking that together shape the trajectory of health-care environments.
Conference programming and keynote insights
The three-day conference schedule packs more than 30 sessions, three plenary keynotes and a series of case-study panels. Topics span from behavioral health design and AI in healthcare to sustainabilityworkforce transformation and crisis-management safety. One highlighted session, Attracting and Maintaining Talent Across Generations in the Workforce examines how multi-generational teams can influence design processes and engineering implementation. Another deep-dive, Improving Safety in Crisis Stabilization Units: Leveraging AI and Physical Mock-up Simulations showcases a study that merges artificial-intelligence analytics with full-scale mock-ups to enhance ligature-resistant environments for patients in mental-health crises.
Finally, the More Human Healthcare: AI and the Patient Experience session explores how machine-learning tools are reshaping clinical workflows, patient monitoring and the
Exhibit Hall: product launches and design solutions
The Expo Hall, spanning over 150,000 square feet, hosts more than 100 exhibitors presenting the latest in medical-facility technology. This year, over 25 new exhibitors join the roster, including Ballinger, Akita Box, Gerflor, Wayfair Professional, Zurn Elkay and Getinge. Visitors will encounter fresh product lines ranging from modular operating rooms and mobile clinic units to advanced lighting systems and antimicrobial flooring.
Returning partners such as La-Z-Boy Healthcare, WIELAND Healthcare, Tarkett and RAD Technology Medical Systems continue to showcase updated furnishings, surgical instrumentation and digital workflow solutions. Mini-sessions in the Design Solutions Theaters give architects a 15-minute stage to walk attendees through recent project highlights, making the exhibition floor a living gallery of innovation.
Awards, networking and emerging-leader program
Each year, HFSE honors excellence through the Symposium Distinction Awards recognizing design teams, individual contributors and breakthrough products that have pushed the boundaries of health-care architecture. Submissions are accepted across all project sizes, with a deadline of August 1. Winners are celebrated during the opening keynote and featured on a dedicated display board.
Networking is woven throughout the schedule: a Grand Opening reception, an Ice Cream Social, evening happy-hours and a VIP reception for emerging leaders create informal venues for idea exchange. The Emerging Leaders Scholarship, aimed at professionals with fewer than ten years of experience, grants full-access registration, a welcome breakfast, on-stage recognition and a mentorship pairing with a senior board member. Recipients also appear in the October 2025 leaflet edition.
Facility tours and practical details
On Tuesday, September 23, HFSE offers two curated tours of local health-care facilities, allowing participants to witness cutting-edge design concepts in real-world settings. Detailed itineraries will be released shortly on the official website.
Registration, exhibitor information and award submission portals are available at . While travel costs are not covered for scholarship awardees, all other attendees are encouraged to secure accommodations early, as San Diego’s hotel inventory typically fills quickly during the Expo weekend.
