Innovation in healthcare is not about chasing the latest trend—it is about protecting patients.

That focus on science, validation, and real-world application is exactly what attendees can expect at the 2026 Healthcare Surfaces Summit, to be held May 5-6 at ISSA headquarters in Rosemont, Illinois. Designed as an intimate, high-impact gathering, the summit brings together healthcare leaders, infection prevention experts, manufacturers, environmental services professionals, and facilities managers to evaluate innovation through an evidence-based lens.

Linda Lybert, Executive Director of the Healthcare Surfaces Institute—a division of ISSA Healthcare—said the event is intentionally structured to foster collaboration rather than siloed conversations.

“We’re really looking forward to having those two panels work together,” Lybert said, describing a unique format that will feature innovation leaders alongside healthcare professionals discussing real implementation challenges.

A key component of the summit is the Healthcare Innovations and Solutions Task Force, led by Chair Rich Feczko, president and founder of Elevate Innovation Group. The task force evaluates emerging technologies through a structured review process that goes beyond product demonstrations.

Feczko explained that innovations are assessed across multiple categories, including regulatory compliance, efficacy, validation, task time, run time, air quality impact, and energy savings. The goal is simple: Identify solutions that make a measurable difference for patients, clinical teams, environmental services staff, and healthcare facilities overall.

“It is true to have that collaboration—environmental facilities management, patient safety, patient outcomes—in ways that sometimes we don’t even realize,” Feczko said.

The review board itself reflects that collaborative mindset. It includes operational leaders, clinical experts, consultants, and international representation, ensuring that innovations are evaluated from multiple perspectives. In many cases, manufacturers walk away not only with feedback but also with new insights that help refine their technologies for healthcare environments.

With attendance limited to just 20 participants, the summit offers a rare opportunity for meaningful dialogue between manufacturers and healthcare professionals. Lybert emphasized that this event is unlike traditional conferences because it focuses on direct engagement, gap analysis, and actionable outcomes.

For organizations seeking validated solutions—and for manufacturers committed to advancing patient safety—the 2026 Healthcare Surfaces Summit provides a focused environment where innovation meets purpose.

Registration is now open, and space is limited. Register here!