HCD Healthcare Design Expo & Conference

What HCD Healthcare Design Expo & Conference does

HCD Healthcare Design Expo & Conference is the annual flagships event produced by Emerald X, LLC for the healthcare design community. It combines a multi-track educational conference (110+ sessions with AIA, IDCEC, NIHD, and EDAC continuing education credits) with a large trade show expo hall, pre-conference workshops, facility tours, keynotes, and dedicated awards programs (Nightingale, HCD 10, Design Showcase, Breaking Through, Rising Star, Remodel/Renovation). The attendee base spans architects, interior designers, engineers, facility managers, healthcare administrators, construction firms, and clinical staff, while the buyer-facing side is composed of hundreds of product and service exhibitors. The event is supported by the Healthcare Design magazine (40,000 readers) and the HCD Connect mobile app, which provides lead capture, badge scanning, networking, and an integrated online directory for year-round visibility.

The business model is a multi-revenue-stream events and media platform. Monetization is driven by tiered attendee registration fees ($69-$2,489), exhibitor booth sales, a layered sponsorship menu (Presenting, Networking, Welcome Reception, Mobile App, Badges, Lanyards, Coffee Breaks, Education Track, Power Lounge, etc.), digital and print advertising (Healthcare Design magazine, weekly Pulse e-newsletter to 13,500+ subscribers, 28,500+ monthly website visitors), and list rentals. Go-to-market is event-driven with a parallel enterprise field sales motion (National Account Managers A-G and H-S) plus a Customer Success Manager to manage exhibitor relationships. Distribution is direct via online registration portals with dedicated paths for speakers, attendees, and exhibitors, and is amplified by an association partner network (AIA-AAH, AMFP, AAHID, ACHA, IIDA, IPCD, NIHD).

Strategically, the event is expanding in 2026 via co-location with the IFHE 29th World Congress in partnership with AMFP, lifting the event's international footprint. The portfolio is anchored by Healthcare Design magazine and an adjacent brand (Environments for Aging), all consolidated under Emerald X, LLC. The company is privately held with no public listing, no disclosed funding, and no disclosed revenue, operating a small product team within the larger Emerald X events portfolio.

Name

HCD Healthcare Design Expo & Conference

Legal name

Emerald X, LLC

Website

https://hcdexpo.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

HCD Healthcare Design Expo & Conference is an annual B2B trade show and educational conference for healthcare design professionals, produced by Emerald X, LLC. It combines 110+ CEU-accredited sessions, an expo hall, and the HCD Connect mobile app serving architects, designers, facility managers, and healthcare administrators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Design Conference and Trade Show

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAGAGAF

Healthcare & Medical Congresses

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Conventions & Conferences (Business Events)

SECONDARYTHAHAJAA

Medical & Health Sciences Congresses

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Association, Government & Academic Congresses

SECONDARYTHAHAFAB

Conference & Trade Show Registration Platforms

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Event Registration, Ticketing & Attendee Management Platforms

SECONDARYTHAHACAA

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies)

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Professional Conference Organizers (PCOs) & Meeting Planners

SECONDARYMPAGAOAB

Virtual Trade Shows & Expos (Digital Booths, Lead Capture)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Virtual & Hybrid Events

Keywords

• Healthcare design conference
• Trade show expo
• Exhibitor booth sales
• Event sponsorship packages
• Continuing education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

New Orleans

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Attendee Registration Fees: Multiple registration tiers including Full Conference, Expo Only, Single Day, Student, Government, and Guest passes at different price points ranging from $69 to $2,489.
2. Booth/Exhibitor Fees: Exhibitor booth purchases at the expo hall with varying sizes and configurations.
3. Sponsorship Packages: Multiple sponsorship tiers including Presenting Sponsor, Networking Party, Welcome Reception, Mobile App, Attendee Badges, Lanyards, Coffee Breaks, and various activation sponsorships.
4. Digital Advertising: Banner ads on official show website, custom content on Healthcare Design magazine website, and webinar sponsorships reaching 28,500+ monthly website visitors and 13,500+ e-newsletter subscribers.
5. Print Advertising: Healthcare Design magazine show issue with 40,000 readers, Show Directory advertising (3,000+ printed copies), and Show Map advertising.
6. List Rentals: Email list rental program for pre-show outreach and direct mail list rental through HCDdirect.com.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

HCD Conference + Expo is the premier annual healthcare design industry event delivering 110+ CEU-accredited educational sessions, a multi-category expo hall of hundreds of product and service providers, and networking events for healthcare architects, interior designers, facility administrators, and contractors. The event is supported by the HCD Connect mobile app with integrated lead capture, year-round online directory visibility, and co-located programming such as the 2026 IFHE World Congress. Attendee registration, exhibitor booth sales, multi-tier sponsorship packages, and digital/print advertising across the show website and Healthcare Design Magazine form the revenue backbone.

Product overview

HCD Healthcare Design Expo & Conference is a conference and trade show platform serving the healthcare design industry. The core offering is the annual HCD Conference + Expo, which combines an extensive educational conference program (110+ sessions across multiple tracks) with a large trade show expo hall featuring hundreds of product and service providers. The event is supported by the Healthcare Design Magazine publication and provides year-round engagement through the HCD Connect mobile app, online directory, and co-located events like the IFHE World Congress. Registration tiers range from full conference passes to expo-only access, with add-on opportunities including pre-conference workshops, facility tours, and various sponsorship packages. The event awards excellence through multiple programs including the Nightingale Product Awards, Design Showcase, HCD 10, and Rising Star Awards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HCD Connect: Official mobile app for the HCD Conference + Expo featuring lead capture, networking, and event information.
• HCD Forum

Products and services

• HCD Conference + Expo Annual healthcare design conference and trade show featuring 110+ educational sessions, keynote presentations, networking events, and an expo hall showcasing products and services for healthcare facility design, planning, construction, and operations. Targets architects, interior designers, facility managers, healthcare administrators, and contractors.
• Sponsorship Opportunities Multi-tier sponsorship packages for the HCD Conference + Expo including Presenting Sponsor, Networking Party, Welcome Reception, Healthcare Design Awards Luncheon, Expo Banner, Mobile App, Attendee Badges, Headshot Lounge, Water Cooler, Education Track, Power Lounge, Attendee Lanyards, Attendee Bag, Coffee Break, and Solutions Theater sponsorships. Sold to healthcare design vendors seeking brand visibility and lead generation.
• Registration Tiers Tiered attendee registration passes offering varying access levels to conference sessions, expo hall, workshops, facility tours, and networking events. Includes Full Conference HCD, Full Conference IFHE, Full Conference HCD + IFHE combined, Expo Only, Single-Day, Student, Educator, Government, Guest, Non-Exhibiting Manufacturer, and Manufacturer's Representative passes.
• HCD Expo Hall (Booth Exhibitor Space) Exhibit hall featuring hundreds of providers demonstrating innovative healthcare design products and services across furniture, building products, lighting, construction/engineering, headwalls/wall mounts, flooring, technology/communications, signage/wayfinding, surfaces, fabric/textiles, training/education, safety, art/accessories, and bath/restroom categories. Booths sold as exhibitor space to product and service suppliers.
• Healthcare Design Magazine Monthly publication covering trends, research, case studies, and products in healthcare design, serving architects, interior designers, facility managers, and healthcare administrators. Reaches 40,000 readers and serves as a platform for print advertising and sponsorship.
• HCD Connect Mobile App Official event mobile application providing session schedules, networking tools, attendee matchmaking, and show updates. Includes an integrated in-app lead capture system for exhibitors to scan attendee badges, manage leads, and export to CRM. Sold to exhibitors as part of booth packages and available to attendees as a free download.
• Online Directory Year-round online directory providing exhibitor visibility with company profiles, unlimited product listings, images, videos, press releases, and Show Specials. Integrated with the HCD Connect mobile app for buyer matchmaking and meeting scheduling. Sold to exhibitors as part of booth packages.
• IFHE World Congress (Co-located Event) The International Federation of Healthcare Engineering 29th World Congress co-located with the HCD Conference + Expo in 2026, offering shared keynotes, expo hall access, and networking opportunities for the global healthcare facilities and design community. Jointly hosted with the Association of Medical Facility Professionals (AMFP).
• Continuing Education (CEU) Program Continuing education credit opportunities from AIA, IDCEC, NIHD (nursing contact hours), and EDAC (Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification) for architects, interior designers, and nurses. Earned through attendance at conference sessions, pre-conference workshops, and facility tours.
• Healthcare Design Awards Program Annual awards program including the Nightingale Product Awards (product design competition), Healthcare Design Showcase (26th annual for projects), Remodel/Renovation Competition, HCD 10 (recognizing individuals and organizations), Rising Star Awards (newcomers), and Breaking Through conceptual design competition (with $10,000 grand prize). Recognizes excellence in healthcare design.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100+ sessions for continuing education
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• International Federation of Healthcare Engineering (IFHE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2026IFHE 29th World Congress co-locates with HCD Conference + Expo in 2026, creating unprecedented global healthcare design event with shared keynotes, expo hall, and networking. Jointly hosted with Association of Medical Facility Professionals (AMFP).
• Association of Medical Facility Professionals (AMFP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2026Strategic partner and host of IFHE World Congress alongside HCD Conference + Expo. AMFP is a nonprofit serving healthcare facility professionals in planning, design, construction, operations, and facilities management with 39 chapters nationwide.
• American Institute of Architects (AIA) - Academy of Architecture for HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Association partner contributing to educational programming and professional development. AIA represents 100,000+ architect members nationwide with programs supporting healthcare architecture.
• American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers (AAHID)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Association partner administering CHID credential for healthcare interior designers. Supports evidence-based design research and professional standards.
• American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Association partner providing board certification for healthcare architects. Recognized by AIA and ASHE of American Hospital Association.
• International Interior Design Association (IIDA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Association partner representing commercial interior designers across 58+ countries. Provides networking, education, and advocacy for design excellence.
• Institute for Patient-Centered Design (IPCD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Association partner focused on bringing patient perspective into healthcare planning and design through advocacy, education, and research.
• Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design (NIHD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Association partner dedicated to integrating nursing expertise into healthcare environment planning and design. Provides clinical perspective and CE programs.
• CarolinaflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Presenting Sponsor for 2026 Healthcare Design Conference + Expo. Top-of-mind visible partner before, during, and after the event with significant branding, lead generation, and thought leadership demonstration.
• Emerald X, LLCcoreOthers · 1 January 2026Producing organization behind HCD Conference + Expo. Maximizes ROI with flexible lead capture for 1.9 million customers annually across events.
• Turner ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Attendee Lanyards Sponsor for 2026 event, providing exclusive sponsorship of badge lanyards seen by all attendees.
• Kimball InternationalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Mobile App Sponsor providing app sponsorship and visibility.
• OM SeatingminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Power Lounge Designer and Sponsor, providing and designing the working lounge space.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• NeoCon: Long-running commercial interiors trade show held at theMART in Chicago. Comparable as a large-scale design industry expo with showrooms, CEU sessions, and a similar exhibitor/attendee mix, but with a broader commercial (not healthcare-specific) focus.
• AIA Conference on Architecture (A'25/A'26): American Institute of Architects' flagship annual conference. Comparable large-architect trade show with CEU sessions and expo hall; HCD partners with AIA-AAH but competes for healthcare-architecture share of mind and sponsor budgets.
• HD Expo (Hospitality Design Expo): Annual hospitality design conference and trade show. Similar event-driven GTM (registration tiers, sponsorships, expo hall, magazine) but serving hospitality rather than healthcare interiors; useful benchmark for event monetization.
• BOMA International Conference & Expo: Building Owners and Managers Association annual conference for commercial real estate and facilities. Comparable large trade show with overlapping facility-management audience and exhibitor categories like lighting, flooring, and technology.

Direct peers

• IFHE World Congress: International Federation of Healthcare Engineering biennial congress. Directly comparable as a global healthcare facility/engineering congress; co-locating with HCD in 2026, so operates as both partner and adjacent event targeting overlapping but distinct attendee segments.
• ASHE Annual Conference (American Society for Health Care Engineering): Annual AHA-affiliated conference for healthcare facility managers, engineers, and operations professionals. Comparable healthcare facility audience with overlapping exhibitor base (building products, technology, operations), but focused on operations rather than design.
• Environments for Aging Conference + Expo: Sister Emerald X event focused on senior living design. Directly comparable as a vertical trade show within the same producer's portfolio, with similar expo hall, conference sessions, magazine, and sponsor model targeting a closely adjacent design audience.
• Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo: Annual conference for healthcare facility planning, design, construction, and operations. Direct peer targeting the same healthcare design and construction audience, with similar conference + expo format.

Emerging players

• Coverings (tile & stone expo): Annual tile and stone trade show. Partial overlap: flooring/surfaces exhibitors at HCD also exhibit here, and design-focused attendees attend both; serves as a benchmark for vertical trade show economics and exhibitor renewal dynamics.

Regional players

• IIDA Annual Conference / IIDA Advocacy Symposium: International Interior Design Association events serving commercial interior designers across 58+ countries. HCD is an IIDA association partner; IIDA's own gatherings are partially overlapping events for interior designers who also attend HCD.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HCDMagazine
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCmfiq30vDG6Qo2eAICPSD9A
• Facebookfacebook.com/HealthcareDesignMag
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hcdcon
• Instagraminstagram.com/hcdmagazine

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HCD Healthcare Design Expo & Conference