The Spine and Orthopedic Conference That Keeps Leaders Ahead: Becker’s 23rd Annual ASC Conference Returns to Chicago in June
For surgeons and administrators who need to understand where the industry is headed — and how to position their practice or ASC to thrive — this is the conference. Industry trends, economic analysis, and strategic planning, all in three days.
The #1 conference for spine and orthopedic surgeons and ASC leaders.
Chicago — June 11–13, 2026 | Swissotel Chicago
Becker’s Healthcare will host its 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference at the Swissotel Chicago from June 11–13, 2026. Now in its third decade, this is the country’s most established and comprehensive gathering for spine and orthopedic surgery leaders — drawing more than 750 surgeons, physicians, ASC administrators, and health system executives who come specifically to understand the forces reshaping their field.
The 2026 program is built around the questions that matter most right now: How are reimbursement pressures and payer dynamics changing the economics of spine and orthopedic care? Which surgical and care delivery innovations are proving their value — and which are hype? How are the highest-performing ASCs structuring their operations, growing their volumes, and protecting their margins in a more competitive environment? What does the regulatory and policy landscape mean for practice strategy over the next three to five years?
More than 240 MD and ASC speakers will address these questions across three days of sessions — giving both clinicians who want to stay at the forefront of surgical practice and administrators who need a clear-eyed view of business and market trends the substance they need to plan and lead with confidence.
Register Now →
Celebrity Keynote Speakers
The 2026 conference features two high-profile celebrity keynote speakers with direct ties to the world of sports and physical performance.
Frank Thomas
Hall of Fame Chicago White Sox PlayerThe “Big Hurt,” a two-time AL MVP and one of the most feared hitters in baseball history, joins Becker’s as a celebrity keynote for the hometown conference.
Colston Loveland
Tight End, Chicago BearsThe Chicago Bears’ standout tight end brings a professional athlete’s perspective on performance, recovery, and musculoskeletal health to the spine and orthopedic audience.
Featured Keynote & Industry Speakers
The 2026 program features a distinguished roster of surgeons, physician executives, and ASC leaders. Below are highlights from the keynote and featured speaker lineup.
William Prentice
Chief Executive Officer Ambulatory Surgery Center Association
Alexander R. Vaccaro, MD, PhD, MBA
Professor and Chairman, Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery; President Rothman Orthopaedic Institute / Thomas Jefferson University
Wael Barsoum, MD
President & Chief Transformation Officer; Orthopedic Surgeon Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company / Cleveland Clinic Florida
Frank M. Phillips, MD
Section Head, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery; Fellowship Director, Spine Surgery; Ronald DeWald Endowed Professor, Spinal Deformities Rush University Medical Center
Brian J. Cole, MD, MBA
Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeon Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH
William N. Levine, MD
Frank E. Stinchfield Professor & Chair, Orthopedic Surgery; Co-Director, Center for Shoulder, Elbow and Sports Medicine NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia University Medical Center
Kevin Bozic, MD, MBA
Orthopedic Surgeon & Chair, Surgery and Perioperative Care Dell Medical School at UT Austin
Marc J. Philippon, MD
Managing Partner & Orthopaedic Surgeon; Chairman and Co-Director, Sports Medicine Fellowship The Steadman Clinic / Steadman Philippon Research Institute
Adam J. Bruggeman, MD
Chief Executive Officer & Surgeon Texas Spine Care Center
Craig J. Della Valle, MD
Chief, Adult Reconstruction; Aaron G. Rosenberg Endowed Chair Rush University Medical Center
Harel Deutsch, MD
Co-Director, Rush Spine Center Rush University Medical Center
View the full speaker lineup (240+ speakers) →
Conference Leadership
Conference Co-Chairs
Scott Becker
Founder and Publisher Becker’s Healthcare
Laura Dyrda
VP and Editor in Chief Becker’s HealthcareExpert Insights From Our Speakers
The leaders speaking at this year’s conference are already shaping the conversation on where spine and orthopedic care is headed. Read what they’re saying about the trends, friction points, and forces defining the field in 2026:
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What will define spine in 2026? 23 predictions Leading spine surgeons and executives share their forecasts for the biggest clinical, technological, and business shifts reshaping the field this year.
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Spine, orthopedic leaders tackle top friction points Top surgeons and administrators identify the operational, regulatory, and reimbursement challenges causing the most friction — and how they’re working through them.
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From AI to patient education: What 19 spine & orthopedic leaders are bolstering in 2026 Nineteen leaders describe their highest-priority investments for the year ahead — from artificial intelligence and surgical technology to patient engagement and care coordination.
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The shifts in spine care no one sees coming Surgeons and executives offer candid takes on the underappreciated changes — economic, clinical, and structural — that will catch the field off guard if leaders aren’t paying attention now.
Why This Is the Must-Attend Conference for Spine and Orthopedic Leaders
Few conferences are built for both the surgeon in the OR and the administrator in the boardroom. This one is. The 2026 program is specifically designed to give spine surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and ASC administrators a shared understanding of the business, clinical, and market forces shaping their organizations — so they can leave with a plan, not just a notebook full of slides.
For Surgeons
- Get an unfiltered read on where spine and orthopedic surgery is headed — from peers who are shaping the field, not just watching it
- Understand how economic and reimbursement trends are directly affecting your practice model and surgical volume
- Evaluate emerging technologies — robotics, navigation, biologics, AI-assisted care — with clinical rigor, not vendor hype
- Earn up to 12.7 CME credits across three days of substantive programming
- Benchmark your outcomes and approach against what top-performing surgeons across the country are doing right now
For ASC Administrators and Executives
- Get the economic and market analysis you need to make confident strategic decisions — on payer mix, service line growth, capital investment, and M&A
- Understand the industry trends most likely to affect ASC growth, margins, and competitive positioning over the next three to five years
- Learn operational strategies from the administrators running the highest-performing spine and orthopedic ASCs in the country
- Gain clarity on the regulatory and policy changes shaping the outpatient surgery landscape — and what your organization should be doing now
- Build relationships with the surgeons and executives who will be your future partners, co-investors, and peers
For Both
- A shared vocabulary and shared intelligence on where the industry is going — essential for surgeon-administrator alignment on strategy
- Three days of networking breakfasts, luncheons, and receptions with more than 750 decision-makers from across the country
- Direct access to the companies and solutions driving innovation across the spine and orthopedic space
Questions about the agenda can be directed to agendateam@beckershealthcare.com.
Conference Details & Logistics
- Dates: June 11–13, 2026
- Location: Swissotel Chicago, 323 E. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60601
- CME Credits: Up to 12.7 credits available
- Conference hashtag: #BeckersASC
- Hotel & travel information: View hotel and travel details
- Continuing education credits: View CME information
- Exhibitor/sponsor inquiries: View the event prospectus
- General inquiries: events@beckershealthcare.com | 1.800.417.2035
- Speaker interest: agendateam@beckershealthcare.com
Registration is now open for the 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference.
Register Now → Apply for Complimentary Participation →
At the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference, taking place June 11-13 in Chicago, spine surgeons, orthopedic leaders and ASC executives will come together to explore minimally invasive techniques, ASC growth strategies and innovations shaping the future of outpatient spine care. Apply for complimentary registration now.
