Wednesday, October 7
Optional Pre-Conference Activities
8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The (Real) Phoenix Open: Golf at Grayhawk Golf Club
While a little less raucous than the other Phoenix Open, this event will be a great opportunity to tee it up with your fellow attendees at another prominent Scottsdale golf venue. Grayhawk Golf Club has hosted both PGA events and NCAA golf championships, and its Fazio-designed Raptor course offers a classic desert golf experience in a beautiful setting. Sign up individually or else feel free to suggest your preferred playing partner(s), and we’ll let you know your foursome and tee time prior to the event. Grayhawk is a short drive from the Grand Hyatt Resort, and arranged shuttles will be available to get you to and from the course.
8:00 – 9:30 a.m. tee times
Shuttle times:
Grand Hyatt Resort Scottsdale to Grayhawk Golf Club – 7:00 a.m. & 8:00 a.m.
Grayhawk Golf Club to Grand Hyatt Resort – 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Guided Hike and Brunch
Kick off your morning with a scenic hike through breathtaking desert landscape. This easy-to-moderate trail winds through iconic saguaro cacti, rugged boulder formations, and open terrain — all in the cool of the morning. The early start means comfortable temperatures and golden light, perfect conditions for a refreshing two-hour adventure. Cap it off with a well-earned Hikers Brunch to celebrate the morning’s adventure. Sturdy athletic shoes, a water bottle, and sunscreen are recommended. All fitness levels welcome.
2026 Phoenix Conference
3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Registration
4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Medtech by the Numbers: Key Trends in Financings, M&A and IPOs, and Financial Returns
The financing and exit environment for medical device companies is dynamic to say the least. Close observers of the industry, who have collected and analyzed their own proprietary data, will discuss the current state of medtech investing in private companies as well as the recent trends in M&A, IPOs, and financial returns.
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
The Great Debate: Bull vs. Bear
A group of panelists will take a “tastes great/less filling” approach to debate a variety of topics across the industry. Topics could include early vs. late stage investing, the importance of robotics, the impact of AI on medtech, etc. The session will also solicit input from conference attendees on potential topics of discussion. Panelists will be “forced” to take a pro or con position.
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Welcome Reception & Dinner
Join us on the lawn for the social kick-off of the 2026 Phoenix Conference.
9:00 p.m.
Nightcaps & Networking
For those looking for a bit more camaraderie, join fellow attendees and gather at the lobby bar and patio.
Thursday, October 8
7:00 – 8:00 a.m.
Networking Breakfast and Juice Bar
8:00 – 8:45 a.m.
View from DC – Medtech State of Play in Regulatory and Reimbursement
What’s next for medtech innovation in Washington? This panel will explore the latest federal policy and reimbursement developments impacting medical devices, including emerging legislation for Breakthrough Devices, evolving CMS and FDA initiatives, and creative strategies companies are using to secure coverage, payment, and adoption in an increasingly complex environment.
8:45 – 9:30 a.m.
Cracking the Code: Selling Medtech into Hospitals in 2026
A practical discussion of how medtech companies navigate the complex, often opaque hospital buying process. Panelists will share real-world lessons on what actually drives adoption, where companies struggle, and how to build a repeatable sales playbook in today’s increasingly economically driven environment.
9:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Break
10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Radical Capital Efficiency – Is There a Leaner Way?
‘Everything costs more and takes longer’ can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Is there a leaner way? Executives and investors will share lessons learned and tangible case studies in capital efficiency. We will discuss geographic strategies, infrastructure and resource mix, efficient org charts, how to drive an ownership mindset across the cap table, and AI as enabler of capital efficiency.
10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
“If Only I Had Known…”: Hard-Won Lessons from Seasoned Medtech CEOs
Building a successful medtech company is rarely a straight line. In this candid discussion, experienced CEOs share the decisions they would rethink, the surprises they didn’t see coming, and the lessons that fundamentally changed how they operate. From financing and team building to company strategy and exits, this session distills practical advice for navigating the realities of building and scaling a medical technology company.
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Networking Lunch
Planned Social Program and Leisure Activities
12:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Phoenix Pickleball Open
Whether you’ve never picked up a paddle or you’re a local legend, join us for a fun afternoon playing the country’s fastest growing sport. We’ll provide the courts, the equipment, and the first-aid kits – you simply bring your game. We plan to split players into three groups – Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced – with each group playing for approximately 75 minutes. Beginners will learn the game with the help of a pro, while Intermediate and Advanced groups will be paired up for tournament play, with the winners taking home some prize money for their favorite charities.
2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Phoenix Cornhole Jamboree
This activity has something for everyone. While cornhole (aka “bags”) will be the main attraction, we’ll also set up a few other classic backyard games for you to try. This will all take place in the same location as the Pickleball Open and will be held in a casual, drop-in format, so stop by whenever you can, grab a refreshment, meet some new friends, and have a little fun before the watch party.
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
The Phoenix School of Rock
Back for its second year, the Phoenix Conference is proud to present another special performance by the Phoenix School of Rock Band at the Hall of Fame dinner. You can participate as a musician or a performer in the rehearsal of popular songs with lyrics re-written with a medical device theme. Anyone from professional musicians to the simply curious are encouraged to join.
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Paddles & Pints: Phoenix Pickleball Open Finals Watch Party
Nothing better than watching amateur athletes sweat the pressure while they battle it out for pride and (charity) prize money, so let’s bring a center court atmosphere to the Pickleball Open Finals. We’ll have music, drinks, cornhole and other games, and of course, what should be some highly entertaining pickleball. The finals of both the Intermediate and Advanced tournaments will be held side-by-side, with the winners taking home the trophies along with some dollars for their favorite causes.
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Pre-Reception Break
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
The Phoenix Hall of Fame Reception & Dinner
For 30 years, the Phoenix Conference has recognized exceptional medtech leaders. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other luminaries who made significant and lasting impact on the industry over the course of their careers. The Innovator Award winner will join other medtech pioneers who developed products that launched successful companies, redefined standards of care, and most importantly, helped patients. Join us in celebrating the 2026 Phoenix Hall of Fame award recipients — and enjoy a special performance by the Phoenix School of Rock Band!
9:30 – 10:30 p.m.
After-Dinner Networking Reception
Join in post dinner cocktails & desserts while congratulating this year’s award recipients.
Friday, October 9
7:00 – 8:00 a.m.
Networking Breakfast and Juice Bar
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
The Phoenix Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award Interview
The 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award winner will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other luminaries who made significant and lasting impact on our industry over the course of their careers. Join for an interview with this year’s honoree.
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Town Hall: What’s on Your Mind?
After two days discussing issues that matter to you as company builders, investors, and corporate partners, we will still have more to explore together as we navigate one of the most dynamic periods in our sector’s history. Our panel of industry veterans will share their ideas and points of view, but we really want to hear from you! So please come ready to tee up issues you’d like to discuss and be prepared to engage with your peers as we efficiently unpack a variety of topics.
10:00 a.m.
Conference Close & Departure
Thank you for joining us for Phoenix 2026. We hope that you depart with deeper relationships, new friends, and practical insights that will be helpful to you and your business. We hope to see you back next year!