Leadership Summit at AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo 2025

AORN Expo 2026 | April 11-14 | New Orleans

Change the OR. Change the World.

“If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Leave a mark on the world that can’t be erased.” — Maya Angelou

Strong leadership drives innovation, improves patient care, and secures the future of the operating room. At the Leadership Summit for perioperative professionals, you’ll have the opportunity to build your legacy by engaging with visionary leaders, exploring state-of-the-art technologies, and discovering groundbreaking solutions tailored to perioperative care.

Unique Dual Conference Experience

The Leadership Summit is a conference-within-a-conference that includes access to the entire AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo 2026, ensuring a comprehensive and enriching experience.

What You’ll Experience

  • Dynamic Four-Day Event: Covering specialized and broader healthcare topics led by top minds in perioperative care.
  • Comprehensive Education: Access 60+ contact hours through conference education, posters, Expo Hall education and hands-on workshops, on top of Leadership Summit sessions.
  • Interactive Learning: Participate in skill-building exercises designed to enhance your team’s performance and improve patient care outcomes.
  • Professional Growth: Connect with mentors, expand your network, and enhance your visibility within the perioperative community.

Why Attend the Leadership Summit?

Become a Leader Who Walks the Walk

  • Boost Performance: Gain actionable insights from industry experts to enhance your team’s effectiveness and achieve measurable results and learn new nurse leadership skills.
  • Improve Patient Care: Stay ahead with the latest evidence-based practices to ensure your team consistently delivers the highest standards of care.
  • Increase Efficiency: Discover innovative strategies to streamline perioperative workflows, reduce delays, and optimize resources.
  • Shape the Conversation: Join critical discussions on today’s most pressing OR challenges. Your voice can help advocate for meaningful change.
  • Inspire Growth: Return with actionable insights to elevate your facility, strengthen your team, and foster a culture of excellence.

Essential Leadership Training for Nurses

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just stepping into a leadership role, this event provides essential information for overseeing more effective teams and departments, including:

  • Unprecedented insights from the leading experts in perioperative care.
  • Cutting-edge solutions to tackle challenges in the OR.
  • Unrivaled networking opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals.
  • Leadership training for all levels of experience

Take the next step in your leadership journey by attending one of the most comprehensive nurse leadership conferences in perioperative care.

Get Inspired by Visionary Speakers

The Leadership Summit brings together industry innovators and thought leaders who will inspire you to reach the highest levels possible in perioperative care.

Speakers for 2026 will be announced soon.

What Attendees Are Saying:

“I have never felt so inspired and so understood. The speakers gave me chills and helped me see things in a different light. I was able to network with great leaders, and it’s already helping me in my role.”

—2024 Leadership Summit Attendee

"The session topics address 'big picture' issues that nurse leaders navigate, such as staff behaviors, human-centered leadership, how to generate statistics to support research and best practices, and more."

"I found it most beneficial that the presentations and speakers provided leaders with a toolbox of tools to take back to our own facilities. We were presented with real issues that other facilities and leaders experienced and shown how they addressed and improved them. Leaders were given beneficial and usable information."

"It was amazing being surrounded by others who understood my practice...so often that is not the case."

"This was my first ever AORN Experience. I loved everything about it! As a first-time leader, I just soaked everything in. The speakers were amazing."

Back by Popular Demand: The Ambulatory Track

The Ambulatory Track at Leadership Summit offers a specialized curriculum tailored for leaders in ambulatory surgical centers. With interactive sessions and real-world strategies, this track addresses the unique challenges faced by ambulatory care professionals.

What Makes the Ambulatory Track Unique?

  • Stay informed on the latest regulatory changes and compliance best practices.
  • Learn strategies to manage fast-paced environments while prioritizing ensuring patient safety.
  • Network with other ASC leaders to share solutions and strategies for success.

Networking Opportunities

Build Meaningful Connections

At the Leadership Summit, you’ll find unparalleled networking opportunities to connect with industry professionals who share your dedication to perioperative excellence. From casual coffee breaks to structured roundtable discussions, this event is designed to foster collaboration and relationship-building.

Exclusive Networking Lounge

Take advantage of the Leadership Networking Lounge, an exclusive space to:

  • Discuss critical challenges impacting your surgical teams.
  • Collaborate with peers to develop actionable solutions.
  • Relax and recharge in a supportive environment.

“Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” — Jack Welch