Record Attendance at 2026 PDC Summit Focuses on Future Healthcare Innovation

The annual conference featured keynotes, awards, and discussions on emerging trends in healthcare facility planning, design, and construction.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:59pm

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A minimalist, glowing neon outline of a healthcare facility blueprint or architectural model against a dark background, conceptually representing the forward-thinking discussions and ideas shared at the PDC Summit.The PDC Summit's focus on the future of healthcare design and construction is reflected in a vibrant, neon-outlined illustration of an innovative facility blueprint.San Antonio Today

The 2026 International Summit & Exhibition on Health Facility Planning, Design & Construction (PDC Summit) saw a record-breaking attendance of over 4,100 professionals. The conference featured keynote addresses, award ceremonies, and panel discussions covering topics like overcoming procrastination, developing behavioral health environments, and building resilient healthcare facilities. Breakout sessions also explored emerging trends in modular construction, cost management, and student design challenges.

Why it matters

The PDC Summit is a critical annual event that brings together key stakeholders in the healthcare design and construction industry to share insights, best practices, and innovative ideas. As the industry faces ongoing challenges like rising costs, natural disasters, and evolving patient needs, this conference helps shape the future direction of healthcare facilities planning and design.

The details

The 2026 PDC Summit featured over 90 sessions and 280 speakers covering a wide range of topics. Keynote speaker Rory Vaden discussed overcoming procrastination, while the Center for Health Design honored award recipients like Dr. Scott Zeller for his work in behavioral health design. Panels also explored building resilient facilities that can withstand disasters and cyberthreats. Breakout sessions delved into emerging trends like modular construction and managing complex expansions.

  • The 2026 PDC Summit took place last month in Houston.
  • The 2027 PDC Summit is scheduled for February 28 to March 3, 2027 in New Orleans.

The players

Rory Vaden

Cofounder of Brand Builders Group and New York Times best-selling author who delivered the PDC Summit keynote address.

Scott Zeller, M.D.

Vice president of acute psychiatry at Vituity and recipient of the 2026 Center for Health Design Changemaker Award.

Mardelle Shepley, M.Arch., M.A., D.Arch.

Emerita professor at Cornell University in the Department of Human Centered Design and emerita director at Cornell Institute for Health Futures.

Francis Pitts, FAIA, FACHA, OAA

Founding partner at architecture+ who discussed behavioral health design with Dr. Zeller.

Chad Beebe, AIA, CHFM, CFPS, CBO, FASHE

ASHE Deputy Executive Director who moderated the panel discussion on building resilient healthcare facilities.

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What they’re saying

“The one thing successful people and teams have in common is that they do the things they know they should be doing even when they don't feel like doing it.”

— Rory Vaden, Keynote Speaker

“The exercise is 'not about my idea or your idea, but the best idea.'”

— Gabe Auffant, AIA, ACHA, LEED AP BD+C, Health Care Client Leader, DLR Group and Outgoing Chair of the PDC Student Design Challenge

What’s next

The 2027 PDC Summit is scheduled for February 28 to March 3, 2027 in New Orleans. Sign up for updates on next year's event and learn about the upcoming Health Care Facilities Innovation Conference taking place August 2-5, 2026 in Minneapolis.

The takeaway

The record-breaking attendance and future-focused discussions at the 2026 PDC Summit demonstrate the healthcare design and construction industry's ongoing commitment to innovation, collaboration, and creating resilient facilities that can meet the evolving needs of patients and providers.