The orthopaedic conference circuit is where clinical excellence meets operational strategy. For surgeons, administrators, and practice leaders, these meetings aren’t just about CME, they’re where you pressure-test how your practice runs, how patients access care, and how leading groups are improving performance.

At Hatch, we spend a lot of time working with orthopaedic groups on referral flow, intake efficiency, and patient access. These conferences are where those conversations are happening in real time. If you’re thinking about growth, throughput, or strengthening your referral network in 2026, these are the rooms worth being in.

1. AOSSM Annual Meeting

July 8–11, 2026 | Seattle, WA

The AOSSM Annual Meeting is one of the premier events in sports medicine, consistently attracting high-volume surgeons, researchers, and care teams focused on treating active patients.

This year’s programming reflects where the specialty is headed, with strong emphasis on biologics, return-to-play optimization, and performance-driven outcomes. 

Why it matters: A must-attend for sports medicine surgeons and organizations focused on innovation, outcomes, and the evolving needs of active patient populations.

2. Becker’s Spine, Orthopedic & ASC Conference

June 11–13, 2026 | Chicago, IL

Becker’s has become one of the most operationally focused conferences in orthopaedics. This is where surgeons, executives, and ASC leaders gather to discuss margins, staffing, reimbursement pressure, and scalable growth strategies.

The agenda leans heavily into real-world execution: how top-performing organizations are improving throughput, optimizing case volume, and navigating financial pressure without sacrificing patient experience.

Why it matters: One of the highest-density rooms for operational leadership in orthopaedics. If you care about the business side of care delivery, this is where leading operators compare notes.

3. Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) Annual Meeting

September 23–26, 2026 | Nashville, TN

The OTA Annual Meeting is the flagship gathering for orthopaedic trauma surgeons and one of the most clinically rigorous meetings in the specialty.

The event combines high-impact research presentations, complex case discussions, and meaningful peer collaboration around trauma systems, outcomes, and patient care. Pre-meeting courses and resident programming also make it an important event for developing future leaders in trauma surgery.

Why it matters: The definitive meeting for orthopaedic trauma, bringing together a deeply engaged audience focused on research, outcomes, and advancing the specialty.

4. Orthopaedic Summit (OSET)

December 2–5, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV

OSET has evolved into one of the most comprehensive meetings in orthopaedics, with programming that spans joints, sports medicine, trauma, spine, and non-operative care.

Its multidisciplinary structure creates a broader view of how musculoskeletal care is delivered across the continuum, bringing together surgeons, APPs, therapists, and operational leaders in one setting.

Why it matters: One of the best opportunities to understand how clinical, operational, and rehabilitation teams intersect across orthopaedic care delivery.

5. Southern Orthopaedic Association (SOA) Annual Meeting

July 22–25, 2026 | White Sulphur Springs, WV

SOA offers something many large conferences cannot: accessibility. The smaller format creates an environment where conversations happen naturally and relationships deepen quickly.

The structure encourages interaction through shared meals, open networking opportunities, and a highly engaged attendee base made up largely of practicing surgeons and physician leaders.

Why it matters: One of the strongest relationship-building environments in orthopaedics for organizations that value long-term physician engagement.

6. Midwest AAOE Annual Meeting

September 24–26, 2026 | Kansas City, MO

Midwest AAOE is designed specifically for orthopaedic practice leaders, administrators, operations teams, and decision-makers responsible for keeping practices running efficiently.

The content stays highly practical, focusing on staffing, workflows, patient access, revenue cycle performance, and operational scalability.

Why it matters: A strong regional event for connecting directly with the operators influencing day-to-day performance and purchasing decisions inside orthopaedic practices.

7. Eastern Orthopaedic Association (EOA) Annual Meeting

October 14–17, 2026 | Miami Beach, FL

The EOA Annual Meeting blends high-level clinical education with a more relationship-oriented atmosphere that encourages meaningful interaction between surgeons, researchers, trainees, and industry leaders. While the scientific programming remains strong across subspecialties, the meeting is also known for its collegial environment and emphasis on mentorship, collaboration, and professional development.

Why it matters: A strong mix of clinical rigor and relationship-building, with an engaged audience of orthopaedic surgeons and emerging leaders across the specialty.

Final Thoughts

As orthopaedics continues to shift toward more efficient, connected, and patient-centered care, the right conferences offer more than education, they create opportunities to build relationships, compare strategies, and see how leading organizations are solving real operational challenges. 

Whether your focus is clinical innovation, practice growth, or improving referral and intake performance, these meetings are where many of the year’s most valuable conversations happen. In 2026, showing up to the right rooms could make a meaningful difference in how your practice performs.

If you’re evaluating how your practice captures and converts demand, especially from referrals and employer channels, these are the conversations happening in the halls between sessions.

If that’s top of mind for your team, you can learn more about how Hatch supports orthopaedic practices by requesting a demo here.