Agenda

Gather for a warm welcome from the Ambulatory Surgery Center News team, as they set the stage for the high-impact sessions, networking opportunities and industry insights set to unfold.

AI is reshaping how ASCs deliver care and run operations, but the gap between pilot and platform is where most initiatives stall. This panel brings together healthcare and technology executives to discuss where AI is producing real, measurable results, what it takes to scale, and how the leaders who get automation right are pulling ahead on margin and growth.

Outpatient migration is accelerating, reimbursement pressure isn’t easing, and capital is getting more selective. In this panel-style discussion, ASC C-suite executives will candidly assess the forces reshaping the industry – from specialty expansion and payer dynamics to consolidation and physician alignment – and outline the strategic decisions that could define the next phase of growth.

Take a breather between sessions to mingle with fellow attendees, exchange ideas, and build relationships with professionals shaping the future of the ASC market.

As ambulatory surgery centers face increasing reimbursement pressure, rising operating costs, and growing complexity, financial performance has never been more critical. Today's ASC leaders must balance operational efficiency, payer dynamics, and revenue cycle excellence to protect margins and support long-term growth.
In this discussion, industry leaders will share how they are approaching financial performance from different perspectives. The conversation will explore strategies for navigating reimbursement challenges, optimizing revenue cycle performance, leveraging data to drive smarter decisions, and aligning operational and financial priorities across the organization.
Attendees will gain practical insights into what is working today, where opportunities exist to improve profitability, and how leading organizations are adapting to an evolving ASC landscape.

After years of steady deal activity, ambulatory surgery center consolidation is entering a new phase. Strategic buyers, private equity firms and health systems are all pursuing scale — but with different priorities and deal structures. This panel will explore how the ASC M&A market is evolving and what it means for operators, physicians and investors.

Refuel and recharge with executives and innovators in the ASC market by enjoying lunch presented by AMSURG, where meaningful introductions and collaborative conversations are always on the menu.

As higher-acuity procedures such as spine and cardiovascular interventions increasingly move into ambulatory surgery centers, operators are reevaluating how to expand service lines and capture new growth opportunities. This panel will explore what it takes to successfully add or scale specialty programs—from physician alignment and payer strategy to facility capabilities and staffing.

The highest-value ASC transactions don't begin when owners decide to sell—they're built over years through disciplined investments in growth, leadership, physician alignment, technology, operations and governance. This fireside chat will explore the strategic decisions that create lasting enterprise value, helping independent ASC owners strengthen their businesses, expand their platforms and maximize their strategic options—whether remaining independent, raising growth capital or pursuing a future transaction.

As more surgical volume shifts outpatient, health systems and academic medical centers are reassessing not only how they grow their ASC footprint — but how partnership itself is defined. This panel explores the evolving ecosystem required to plan, launch, and scale successful ASC strategies, from traditional joint ventures and physician alignment to the broader network of industry, operational, and community stakeholders that support long-term performance. Panelists will discuss governance models, capital considerations, brand stewardship, specialty strategy, and the often-overlooked partnerships that accelerate — or constrain — execution across the ASC lifecycle. Expect a candid conversation about what’s working, where collaboration breaks down, and how redefining partnership as a connected, multi-stakeholder experience is reshaping value creation in the ASC era.

Reimbursement models, prior authorization requirements and network design are all in flux — and ASC leaders can’t afford to treat contracting as routine. This fireside chat will explore how leading operators such as AMSURG are approaching rate negotiations, data transparency, specialty growth and long-term alignment with health plans.

Take a breather between sessions to mingle with fellow attendees, exchange ideas, and build relationships with professionals shaping the future of the ASC market.

Employer direct contracting is moving from “interesting experiment” to repeatable growth channel for ambulatory surgery centers — especially as employers chase predictable costs, faster access and better member experience. This session breaks down what’s driving the trend, where the best opportunities are emerging, and what it actually takes for an ASC to earn and keep employer business.

Hospitals, health systems and ASCs are competing for the same limited pool of nurses, techs and administrators. So how do ambulatory surgery centers stand out? This panel will explore how ASC leaders are building cultures that attract top talent, keep staff engaged and reduce turnover in a tight labor market.