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

NCBA 2026: Upper Midwest HTM Conference at Madden’s on Gull Lake

The North Central Biomedical Association (NCBA) holds its Annual Conference September 8-11, 2026, at Madden’s on Gull Lake in Brainerd, MN. NCBA serves HTM professionals across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa — a four-state region where the distances between hospitals are long and the opportunities to connect with HTM peers are limited.

Why it matters for HTM directors

For HTM directors in the upper Midwest, this is it. NCBA is the regional association that covers your geography, and the annual conference is the primary gathering point for the professionals managing medical equipment across a massive, mostly rural coverage area.

Four-day format at a resort. Madden’s on Gull Lake is a resort venue, which changes the dynamic of the event. Multi-day resort conferences tend to produce better networking than convention center events because attendees stay on-site, eat together, and have informal time between sessions. For directors looking to build relationships with peers across the region, the setting matters.

Upper Midwest focus. National conferences are valuable, but they do not address the specific operational challenges of managing HTM departments in rural and semi-rural health systems spread across four northern states. Staffing shortages, travel distances for service calls, equipment age in smaller facilities, and state-specific regulatory considerations are part of the daily reality for this region’s HTM leaders.

Vendor exhibits. The conference includes a vendor show component, bringing equipment manufacturers and service providers into a setting where they are accessible over multiple days. For directors evaluating purchases or service agreements, extended face time with vendor reps is more productive than a convention floor pass.

Education sessions. Multi-day programming covers HTM education topics relevant to the region. Past events have included sessions on biomedical equipment, industry updates, and professional development.

Who should attend

HTM professionals in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa. The four-day format is a bigger time commitment than a one- or two-day state conference, but the resort setting and regional focus make it a worthwhile investment for directors and managers who want to build a professional network across the upper Midwest.

Logistics

• Dates: September 8-11, 2026
• Location: Madden’s on Gull Lake, Brainerd, MN
• Expected attendance: 200-400
• Registration: ncbiomed.org

Bottom line

NCBA fills a gap that national conferences cannot. If you manage an HTM department in the upper Midwest, four days at Madden’s on Gull Lake delivers regional networking, vendor access, and education in a setting designed for conversation. The resort format and multi-day schedule make this one of the better-structured regional HTM events on the calendar.

Visit the official NCBA website for registration and conference details.