Each June, the Civitas team shifts into high gear as we prepare for the Civitas Annual Conference. It is one of the most exciting times of the year. There is a growing sense of energy as registration numbers climb each day; members start sharing their plans for joining us, and new sponsors sign up to make the event possible.
The anticipation of bringing Civitas members and partners together for three days is incredibly rewarding. I, personally, cannot wait to see so many of my favorite people in one place! Year after year, we witness new partnerships take shape, meaningful friendships develop, and lasting professional connections form. The conference serves as a catalyst for collaboration and innovation, while also strengthening the sense of community that makes Civitas so special. It is a place where members find support for their work while also feeling deeply connected to a network of peers who share their commitment and vision.
As we open registration for our 2026 Annual Conference, taking place September 22–24 in Arlington, Virginia, I’m struck by the showcase we have created in which we will highlight truly inspirational approaches to improving the flow of data and health in the country. . This is not a conference built around theoretical ideas. It is a space for implementers and changemakers to share what is working, what is not, and what comes next.
At a time when the need for increased access to real-time data, interoperability, seamless data sharing, and improved community-centered care are in high demand, this kind of convening is more important than ever.
A Conference Grounded in Real-World Progress
What makes the Civitas Annual Conference unique is its focus on practical application. Across keynote talks, breakout sessions, roundtable discussions, and workshops, attendees will hear directly from leaders advancing real-world solutions, often in complex, resource-constrained environments. This is where local solutions influence national health priorities.
This year’s agenda reflects the current moment. Together, we will:
- Explore the impact of federal policy developments like HR1 implementation, specifically Medicaid community engagement and work requirements, and how partnerships are translating into action
- Learn from early implementation efforts of the Rural Health Transformation Program
- Examine how emerging technologies, including AI, are shaping care delivery and insights
- Share strategies for building sustainable, community-centered data infrastructure
Throughout it all, one theme remains constant: lasting transformation happens locally, and it is built on trust.
Four Tracks, One Shared Goal
To capture the complexity – and opportunity – of this work, this year’s conference is organized across four primary content tracks:
- Data in Action: Analytics, Insights, and Value: Focusing on how data is being used to drive measurable improvements in care, quality, and outcomes.
- Critical National, State, and Local Health Infrastructure Showcase: Highlighting the essential role of HIEs, HDUs, and other data infrastructure in supporting a resilient, connected ecosystem.
- Moving From Policy to Practice: Bridging the gap between federal and state policy and real-world implementation on the ground.
- Innovating and Building for the Future: Exploring what’s next—from emerging technologies to new models of collaboration and care delivery.
Each track reflects a different dimension of the work our community is leading—and together, they tell a broader story about where health data and care transformation are headed.
Learning From People Doing the Work
One of the things I value most about this conference is who is in the room.
We convene leaders from across the health ecosystem—health information exchanges, health data utilities, regional health improvement collaboratives, all-payer claims databases, providers, strategic business and technology organizations, payers, public health agencies, policymakers, and more—many of whom are part of the Civitas network. These are organizations deeply embedded in their communities, working across sectors to improve care, strengthen infrastructure, and drive better outcomes.
The sessions you’ll experience are largely peer-led, grounded in real implementation, and designed to spark dialogue—not just presentations. From interactive workshops to candid roundtables, the goal is to create space for meaningful exchange and shared learning.
Why This Moment and This Convening Matters
We are at a critical juncture.
Across the country, there is increased recognition that data infrastructure is foundational to improving health and delivering whole-person care, but there is still significant work to do to assure governance best practices and align systems, policies, and incentives that move us closer to this reality. states are navigating rapid change – ranging from implementing new federal initiatives to evolving technologies – while continuing to address real, immediate needs of community members.
The Civitas Annual Conference is where these threads come together.
It is where we connect national priorities with local innovation. Where policymakers can hear directly from implementers. And where organizations can build the partnerships needed to move from ideas to impact.
Dive In and Join Us
Early bird registration is now open for the 2026 Civitas Annual Conference, and early bird pricing is available through August 7. If you are working at the intersection of health data, interoperability, public health, health care transformation, and/or community-centered care, I encourage you to be at Civitas this September. You will leave with new insights, practical strategies, and connections that extend well beyond the event itself.
Most importantly, you will be part of a community committed to advancing the work—together.
Explore the agenda and secure your spot today. My team and I look forward to seeing you in Arlington this September.
