HFSE Recap: Event Sees Double-Digit Attendance Growth, Record Number of Exhibitors

Thousands of manufacturers, architects, designers, engineers, contractors and healthcare leaders united Sept. 24-26 at the Austin Convention Center in Texas for the 37th annual Healthcare Facilities Symposium and Expo.

“Gathering healthcare visionaries, partners, sponsors and exhibitors in one place, the Healthcare Facilities Symposium and Expo is where innovation meets collaboration, paving the way for a future of improved patient care, sustainable design and cutting-edge healthcare solutions for facilities worldwide,” said Jenabeth Ferguson, vice president, symposium director. “It’s an exciting time in healthcare design and we look forward to see what the future holds for HFSE in 2025.”

The symposium featured three days of 60+ educational and insightful sessions, case-studies and panels meant to inspire and improve current and future healthcare facilities. The sessions spanned multiple topics including pediatrics, safety, AI in healthcare, behavioral health and sustainability that are making an impact on the healthcare industry.

Keynotes included Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, president and CEO for Harris Health System, Dan Chuparkoff, innovation & A.I. expert and Tama Duffy Day, FACHE, FIIDA, FASID, LEED AP, FwA, principal, Gensler. This year’s keynotes offered meaningful insight into the defining trends that impact the healthcare facilities industry including the effects of mass incarceration on population health, AI in healthcare and the importance of design in healthcare and wellness.

The expo hall showcased the most innovative products and services from 100+ top manufacturers and solution providers. Many exhibitors launched new products at HFSE, getting in front of important decision makers from healthcare facilities, architecture and design firms. The expo floor also featured two Design Solutions Theaters where the design team galleries came alive with 15 minute mini-presentations by leading architectural firms.

The Healthcare Facilities Symposium and Expo has a long history of selecting charitable organizations each year, holding a raffle onsite and donating the proceeds to that charitable organization. What started as a small endeavor has grown to a highlight of the annual event with diverse organizations across the country benefitting from the HFSE community’s generosity.

Since 2006, HFSE has donated over $200,000 to various charitable organizations. The raffle continues to be a favorite event for attendees and this year’s beneficiary was Hope Totes, a nonprofit based in Austin, Texas. Its mission: to deliver hope to every child entering foster care or emergency shelters.

The 2025 Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo will take place Sept. 23-25 in San Diego, California. For more info, visit hcarefacilities.com.