ASCA + SAMBA 2026 celebrates collaboration, innovation

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ASCA + SAMBA 2026 celebrates collaboration, innovation

Are you ready for today’s sessions and social event?

The ASCA + SAMBA Conference & Expo, taking place at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center near Washington, D.C., has been a resounding success both in scale and impact. The conference brought together ASC leaders and anesthesia experts from the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia for the first time to offer a rich, interdisciplinary learning and networking experience for the ASC and anesthesiology communities. The convention center is abuzz with thousands of participants, more than 200 exhibiting companies and 36 unique sponsors exchanging ideas, attending insightful sessions and networking.

See who is exhibiting at ASCA + SAMBA 2026.

ASCA + SAMBA 2026 features:

  • More than 70 educational sessions covering important issues for ASC professionals at every level.
  • Nationally recognized ASC experts in areas including management, development, compliance, quality and safety.
  • Networking opportunities with more than a thousand of your colleagues.
  • More than 200 exhibitors offering various solutions in all areas of an ASC.
  • The latest regulatory and accreditation updates.

The program for this year’s conference is approved for up to 12.75 units of administrator education units for the Certified Administrator Surgery Center credential by the Board of Ambulatory Surgery Certification, provider #3272; up to 12.75 nursing contact hours by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider #6949; and up to 7.50 infection prevention contact hours for the Certified Ambulatory Infection Preventionist credential by BASC provider #3272.

Thursday morning, Mehmet Oz, MD, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and Alec Aramanda, principal deputy director of the Center for Medicare, joined Bill Prentice, ASCA CEO, and Kara Newbury, ASCA chief advocacy officer, for a “Fireside Chat on ASC Issues.” More than 300 attended the session. In addition to ASC issues, Dr. Oz discussed prior authorization, price transparency and rural health initiatives of the administration.

In yesterday’s general session, attendees heard from ASCA Board President Mark Wainner, ASCA CEO Bill Prentice and SAMBA President Alberto Ardon, MD. Wainner discussed ASCA’s more notable, recent achievements, while Ardon talked about the six pillars of SAMBA’s strategic plan. Later, Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), who is a cosponsor of the Medicare Beneficiary Co-Pay Fairness Act, joined Prentice for a talk about Medicare’s goals, the copay act and prior authorization.

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The program ended with the keynote session, sponsored by Amsurg, featuring Captain Sandy Yawn, a renowned superyacht captain and star of Bravo’s Below Deck Mediterranean. Her real-life experiences navigating storms, crises and life-or-death situations have shaped a leadership philosophy that is both decisive and compassionate. During her presentation, she drew parallels between steering a vessel through turbulent waters and guiding an ASC through today’s complex healthcare environment. Her stories of resilience, trust building, quick decision-making and teamwork under pressure awed attendees.

The Wellness Morning event today, sponsored by in2itive Business Solutions, provided robust wellness activities, including a HIIT workout, a revitalizing yoga session and a refreshing guided walk along the Potomac River. This event, designed to get people moving, helped attendees stay balanced and start their day in a highly energized way.

Later this evening, join your colleagues for the Ultimate ’90s Sitcom Party, sponsored by nimble solutions. “Pivot!” your evening plans and step out of the convention center into the golden age of television. ASCA is transforming the night into a living lineup of the most iconic hits from the ’90s. Whether you are grabbing an espresso martini at the “Central Perk” lounge, showing off your best Carlton dance moves or dissecting the day’s sessions at the Seinfeld diner booth, this is the one party you do not want to miss. Flannel shirts, neon windbreakers and “The Rachel” haircuts are highly encouraged.

For downtime, this waterfront resort offers an indoor pool, spa, fitness center, restaurants and retail options. In the evening, take the express elevator to Pose Rooftop Lounge for picturesque views of the Potomac River and Washington, D.C., skyline.

ASCA thanks all its sponsors, especially its title sponsor, nimble solutions, and diamond sponsors, Amsurg and Surgery Partners.

We hope you are having a fantastic time at ASCA + SAMBA 2026! See you at ASCA 2027, March 31–April 3, at the Marriott World Center in Orlando, Florida.