Disclaimer: Event details, schedules, and registration info may change. Check the official CEAI website for the most current information.

CEAI Annual Symposium 2026: Midwest Clinical Engineering at Its Best

The Clinical Engineering Association of Illinois (CEAI) Annual Symposium runs May 11-12 in Rosemont, IL, just outside Chicago. With 215+ attendees expected — a record for the organization — CEAI has quietly become one of the stronger regional HTM events in the country.

Why it matters for HTM directors

CEAI draws a disproportionate number of director-level and management-level attendees. The event is small enough that you actually talk to people, but large enough to cover meaningful ground on the topics that matter.

Practical education. CEAI sessions focus on operational challenges: managing service contracts, building in-house capability, navigating regulatory changes, and making the business case for capital investments. The sessions tend to be practitioner-led rather than vendor-pitched, which keeps the content grounded.

Workforce development. The Midwest faces the same HTM workforce shortage as everywhere else, but the concentration of large health systems in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin makes the problem acute. Expect sessions on training pipelines, technician recruitment, and career pathing for biomed professionals.

Vendor exhibits. The exhibit floor is sized appropriately for the audience. You can work through it in a day and have real conversations with vendors, not the speed-dating experience of a 1,000+ booth expo. For directors evaluating CMMS platforms, parts suppliers, or service partners, this is efficient.

Networking density. Rosemont’s proximity to O’Hare makes this easy to attend from anywhere in the Midwest. The attendee list includes clinical engineering leaders from major health systems across Illinois and neighboring states. Two days is enough to cover the education, work the floor, and have the conversations that make conferences worthwhile.

Who should attend

Clinical engineering directors, biomed managers, and HTM leadership from Midwest health systems. The event draws particularly well from Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Iowa, but attendees come from across the region. Vendors serving the Midwest HTM market should consider the exhibit floor.

Logistics

• Dates: May 11-12, 2026
• Location: Rosemont, IL (near Chicago O’Hare)
• Expected attendance: 215+
• Registration: ceaiweb.org/conference-2026

Bottom line

CEAI punches above its weight. The director-level attendance, practical education sessions, and manageable size make it one of the better regional conferences for HTM leaders. If you are in the Midwest, it is a short trip and a high-value two days. Record attendance suggests the word is getting out.

Visit the official CEAI website for registration and the full schedule.