Overview

What is ELC?

The Executive Leadership Conference (ELC) is a 2.5-day event that will redefine how you approach leadership at your organization. Our unique blend of sessions will discuss the future of PA and NP practice, leading in the moment, preparing for change, and successfully navigating what’s next.

Meet face-to-face with fellow PA and NP leaders for interactive learning led by dynamic speakers and facilitators. You’ll return to your daily role with a renewed sense of purpose and brand-new ideas that just might transform healthcare.

Your conference experience features:

• A 2.5-day conference filled with lectures and interactive sessions
• 2 days of exhibits
• An optional Golf Scramble for valuable networking opportunities
• Access to session recordings for six months
• Networking opportunities with colleagues, including a beach welcome reception

Course Directors

Rhonda Hoyer, MS, RN, APNP, ANP-C
VP, Chief Advanced Practice Officer, Medical Group
Advocate Health – Wisconsin and Illinois Divisions
Milwaukee, Wisc.

Aaron Browne, PA-C 
VP APP Transformation & Chief of Advanced Practice / System Transfer Center
M Health Fairview | Administration & Center for Advanced Practice
Minneapolis, Minn.

Monica Ward, PA-C, AT, MPAS, DFAAPA
Director, Clinical Operations
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinics
Adjunct Faculty, PA Program
West Coast PA Program
Dallas, Texas

Registration

Registration Rates

Please note that the Executive Leadership Conference is not included in AAPA Fellow Plus or Premium Membership.

What’s Included

Conference

Monday, Feb. 23 – Wednesday, Feb. 25

Registration includes three breakfasts, two lunches, networking events, exhibits, and access to session recordings for six months after the conference concludes. Separate registration is required for the optional golf scramble on Sunday, Feb. 22 from 1 – 4 p.m. at Innisbrook Resort, site of the annual PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship.

Golf Scramble – Additional cost!

Sunday, February 22, 2026 | 1:00 PM Shotgun Start | Innisbrook Golf Resort

Join your fellow leaders for an unforgettable afternoon of golf at the renowned Innisbrook Gold Resort, site of the annual PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship. This scramble format is designed for fun and camaraderie, making it perfect for golfers of all levels.  When you sign up, you’ll be randomly grouped with three other attendees for 18 holes of golf. Additional information, including rules and prize for the winning team, to come.

Your registration includes:

• Boxed lunch before play
• All course and cart fees
• Roundtrip transportation to and from the course

Rates

• Conference Attendees: $249 per person
• Guests: $309 per person

Space is limited—reserve your spot early and enjoy a great day of networking and friendly competition in the Florida sunshine!

For questions, or to register a guest, please contact Mairi Gardner.

Cancellation Policy

Registration Cancellation Policy

• Please submit your cancellation request in writing to [email protected].
• We offer a full refund for cancellations prior to Jan. 9, 2026.
• Between Jan. 10 – Feb. 22 we can offer a 50% refund for cancellations.
• No refunds or credits will be granted after the conference begins on Feb. 23.
• If AAPA has to cancel the in-person 2026 Executive Leadership Conference in Clearwater Beach, Fla., all registrants’ registration fees will be transferred to a fully virtual conference experience and participants will be refunded the difference in price, if applicable.
• All hotel cancellations must be made directly with the hotel.

Registration Discounts

Bring a Colleague

You know how great AAPA’s Executive Leadership Conference is — and we want you to be rewarded for sharing that knowledge! When you bring a PA colleague to ELC 2026 who has never attended the conference before, we’ll give you both a discount of $100 off your registrations.

Request Your Discount Now

See below for discount details and read the full terms and conditions. Contact [email protected] with questions.

Terms and Conditions

• Application must be submitted prior to registering. No refunds will be given.
• Valid only for a returning ELC attendee bringing a first-time ELC attendee.
• $100 registration discount per registrant.
• Both applicants must also book a hotel room within the hotel block.
• Registration rate for both applicants will be based on current registration rate on date of application submission.
• Not valid in combination with any other discounts.
• Only one application may be submitted per applicant.

Group Registration

AAPA offers a $100 discount, per registrant, on group registrations of 10+ PAs or NPs.

Restrictions apply:

• All registrants must also book a hotel room at the time of registration.
• No registrant on the list may be already registered. No refunds will be given.
• This promotion and discount may not be used in combination with any other promotion or discount.
• Group registration list must be submitted to [email protected]

Should I Attend?

Both PAs and NPs are invited to attend the Executive Leadership Conference (ELC). We’ve specifically designed ELC for PAs and NPs who are clinical or administrative leaders, or those who are considering transitioning into healthcare leadership. There’s a new curriculum each year for you. Take a look at our attendee data from 2025.

2025 Attendees by Profession

2025 Attendees by Leadership Experience

The Executive Leadership Conference is for leaders of all experience levels, as well as for PAs and NPs who are planning to become leaders.

2025 Attendees by Primary Role

Agenda

Below is a list of all sessions taking place at ELC 2026. Please note that all times listed are in Eastern Time (ET).

For full session descriptions, learning objectives, and faculty information, download the complete agenda.

This agenda may be updated or modified without notification.

CME Accreditation

The 2026 Executive Leadership Conference has been approved by the AAPA Review Panel for up to 18.25 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Participants should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Are You an NP?

NPs can often claim AAPA Category 1 CME credit as continuing education with AANPCB and ANCC. Check with your certification/licensing authority to confirm that AAPA credit is acceptable – and then register for this great conference!

Venue and Travel

Conference Venue

Clearwater Beach Sheraton Resort on Sand Key
1160 Gulf Blvd
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767

Hotel Accommodations

Should you still need a guest room for your stay, please contact Mairi Gardner.

Why Stay at the Conference Hotel?

Many reasons, and all of them benefit you! Zero commute to the event means you’ll save time and money. Be on-site (and on time) for all the sessions —  with your room close by in case you forget anything. Spend your extra time networking or relaxing with colleagues (no FOMO for you!); and immerse yourself in the resort experience at the hotel’s beach, pools, and restaurant.

Plus, by staying within the block you help us negotiate the best hotel rates for our attendees.

Hotel Perks

• Complimentary wireless internet in guest rooms
• Complimentary use of fitness center
• Outdoor pool and hot tub
• Beach access
• Complimentary parking

Hotel Policies

Check-in time is 4 p.m. and check-out time is 11 a.m. Reservations must be cancelled 72 hours prior to arrival to avoid a no-show fee equal to one night’s room and tax. All reservations and cancellations must be made directly with the hotel.

Travel

Flying? Tampa International Airport is 22.3 miles away, and St Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is 12.2 miles away. Using rideshare services like Uber and Lyft is highly recommended in this area.

Driving? Parking is free for conference attendees.

Airline discount with Southwest Airlines

Airline discount with United Airlines

Things to Do in Clearwater Beach

Beach

The beach is the main attraction. It was voted one of the best white sand beaches by Travel & Leisure.

Attractions

Check out the Clearwater Marine Aquarium or head to the Salvador Dali Museum while in town.

Outdoor Adventures

Rent a jet ski or a bike from the hotel and get ready for an adventure. There are tons of parks nearby to explore.

Food and Drinks

Whether you are looking for a beachfront restaurant or a casual meal, there are tons of restaurants nearby for everyone!

Attendee Information

On-Site Conference Registration and Tips

• Registration will open at 7 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 23. Please be sure to stop by and pick up your registration materials before heading into the sessions. You only need to check in once at the on-site registration desk.
• ELC is BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). Use your smartphone, computer, or tablet to answer questions in CME sessions that use audience response system technology.
• Meeting rooms might get cold. Don’t forget your sweater or light jacket!
• Bring along your business cards and get ready to network!
• Check out the hotel map to see where sessions, registration, and exhibits will be held during the conference.

Accessing Electronic Handouts

Please remember there is no paper syllabus for this course.  Electronic handouts provided by conference faculty are available in Learning Central. To access the handouts:

1. Log in to Learning Central using your AAPA username and password. If you don’t know your user credentials, or are unable to log in, please contact [email protected].
2. From your Dashboard, locate 2026 Executive Leadership Conference (ELC).
3. Navigate to the different sessions by selecting the navigation tabs at the top of the screen.
4. Click the session title to navigate to Session Overview and scroll down to Session Materials to access the handout for that session.

Accessing the Course Evaluations and CME Certificate

Your feedback helps us plan future conferences; therefore, your completion of course evaluations is a prerequisite for a CME certificate. The course evaluations/CME certificate will be available in AAPA’s Learning Central beginning Monday, February 23, 2026. Please complete evaluations by Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Use the following steps to complete the course evaluations and receive your CME certificate:

1. Log in to Learning Central your AAPA username and password. If you don’t know your user credentials, or are unable to log in, please contact [email protected].
2. From your Dashboard, locate 2026 Executive Leadership Conference (ELC).
3. Navigate to the different sessions by selecting the navigation tabs at the top of the screen.
4. Click the session title to navigate to Session Overview and scroll down to Session Evaluation.
5. At the end of each session, complete the evaluation for that session. Be sure to ONLY complete the session evaluations for the sessions that you attended.
6. Complete the Conference Evaluation at the end of the conference.
7. The CME certificate will not be viewable until the overall conference evaluation is completed.
8. View your certificate under Transcript.

Accessing Session Recordings

Session recordings will be available for the 2026 Executive Leadership Conference on AAPA’s Learning Central a few weeks after the conference concludes. You will receive an email once they are available with more details on how to access the recordings.

You will have access to the session recordings until August 31, 2026.

Exhibit and Sponsorship Opportunities

Put the prestige and connections of AAPA to work for you! Reach PA and NP administrators and emerging leaders who are attending the conference for leadership training and to refine their management and healthcare administration skills.

Executive Leadership Conference is expected to draw more than 200 PAs. We offer a range of cost-effective networking and sponsorship opportunities designed to suit any budget.

Attendees by Profession

Primary Employer Type

Years of Leadership Experience

Primary Role

Exhibit & Sponsorship Opportunities

Secure your company’s tabletop display available in the conference area during the event that includes:

• One (1) 6’ skirted table and two (2) side chairs
• Onsite Signage
• Wi-Fi
• Electric (available upon request)
• Two (2) complimentary registration badges (not eligible to claim CME)
• Medical Pursuit Spot – Attendees will participate in the trivia game by stopping by all tabletop displays and answer trivia questions (provided by companies). Once attendees have visited all the tabletop displays, they will drop off their game card at the registration desk and are entered to win a prize.
• Company information posted on the conference website

Learn More & Reserve

AAPA provides diverse sponsorship opportunities across three key categories to meet your needs and budget:

Each participating company will also receive the following in addition to the benefits outlined per opportunity:

• General Event Partner and Exhibit Recognition – Conference Website, Pre-Promotional Materials, and Onsite Signage
• Access to the Pre and Post Conference Attendee Registration List (available four weeks before the conference)

For questions or to start partnering with AAPA, please contact Heather.

Connect with Partners & Exhibitors

Click on a logo below to connect with the partner.