WELCOME TO IMSH 2026!
The International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) is a scientific conference that explores the latest innovations and best practices in healthcare simulation. IMSH provides the tools and resources healthcare professionals need to advance their skills, impact change in delivery systems and practice, and, ultimately, to improve patient safety.
Get ready for five powerful days of hands-on workshops, inspiring speakers, and game-changing education. IMSH 2026 will bring together thousands of professionals from around the world — and more than 140+ leading companies — to showcase the latest in healthcare simulation.
It’s your chance to explore what’s next, grow your expertise, and connect with the global simulation community like never before.
Watch for registration to open in September 2025, and we'll see you Jan. 10-14, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas!
(Scroll down for general IMSH questions and answers!)
2026 IMSH Planning Co-Chairs
John E. Alex, M.D., CHSE-A, CHSOS-A, RDMS, FACEP, FAAEM, is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine and is the Medical Director of the Riverside Simulation Training Lab in Newport News, Virginia. He has been heavily involved in healthcare simulation for over 13 years and is a recognized subject matter expert in military healthcare simulation.
Dr. Alex retired from the U.S. Navy after 20 years of military service, during which time he had the opportunity to establish a simulation center at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Okinawa, Japan; create enduring faculty development programs; design multiple simulation curricula in support of operational military medical forces; develop innovative models for use in procedural skills training; and publish simulation-based research.
Dr. Alex holds both advanced Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator and Operations Specialist credentials, is an active member of SSH, and currently serves as the Chair of the SSH Certification Council and a Peer Reviewer for STORM magazine.
Amy Follmer, CHSOS-A, CHSE, FSSH, is Simulation Technology Strategist at the Zamierowski Institute for Experiential Learning (ZIEL) in Kansas City, Kansas. Amy’s excellence in creative problem solving and navigating technology solutions make her a valuable partner in planning and delivering impacful simulation activities.
She is an advocate for the advancement of the simulation operations and technology professional career field.
Within SSH, Amy currently serves as a At Large Director on the SSH Board of Directors, a member of the STORM Editorial Board, and Chair for the CHSOS-A Certification Subcommittee. Amy holds a B.S. in Journalism with an emphasis in News and Information from the University of Kansas. While Amy’s career in healthcare simulation began as a part-time job in college, her passion and expertise have since led her to a meaningful career in healthcare simulation that positively impacts health system patients and their families.
Syretta Spears, CHSOS-A, CHSE, was one of the first 25 in the world to achieve the esteemed CHSOS-A designation. She is also a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator. She serves as the Director of an internationally accredited and globally endorsed center at the University of Central Florida College of Nursing’s Simulation, Technology, Innovation and Modeling [STIM] Center, managing three campus locations. As the leader of a multidisciplinary team, she strives to ensure excellence amongst a variety of mediums including holograms, telehealth, and traditional high-fidelity simulation-based experiences.
As one of the first formally trained female, non-clinical simulation technicians in Florida (USA), she blazed a trail beginning in 2010. Syretta holds a master’s degree in human resources management and information technology management. In 2017, she became a graduate of the inaugural cohort of the University of Central Florida’s Healthcare Simulation Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program. Her unique qualifications have carved out a specialized niche in advocacy for healthcare simulation operations specialists and human simulation professionals, working towards a standard of equitable and inclusive opportunities for all healthcare simulation professionals.
In service to the simulation community, she has supported the SSH mission, serving as co-chair of the SSH SimOps Conference in 2023, CHSOS-A certification assessor, a member of the CHSE and CHSOS Exam Review Workgroup, and co-chair of the Simulation Operations and Technology Section (SOTS) Nominations Workgroup. Syretta has served as adjunct faculty for UCF College of Nursing’s Simulation Operations Management course and has presented at local and national conferences. In addition, she has personally published or collaborated on various topics relative to life perspectives, healthcare simulation, and education.
In her time away from her simulated family members, she embarks on thrilling horseback riding adventures and travel, seeking out new and exciting experiences.
The International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) 2026 will take place Saturday, January 10, through Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, USA.
Preconference courses will be offered on Saturday, January 10, and Sunday, January 11, 2026.
Confirmed future dates and locations for IMSH include:
- 🗓 IMSH 2026 – January 10–14, 2026
📍 San Antonio, Texas – Henry B. González Convention Center
- 🗓 IMSH 2027 – January 16–20, 2027
📍 New Orleans, Louisiana – New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
- 🗓 IMSH 2028 – January 22–26, 2028
📍 Orlando, Florida – Orange County Convention Center
While IMSH traditionally takes place in January, the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) evaluates potential future dates and venues to ensure the meeting remains accessible, inclusive, and impactful.
Locations are contracted 8-10 years in advance in order to meet projected size and scope needs. Extremely rare changes to the timing or location of IMSH always will be announced well in advance.
Yes. SSH continually evaluates cities that have previously hosted IMSH and return to those locations when it aligns with logistical needs, accessibility, and the attendee experience. The Society is committed to choosing destinations that offer both functionality and inspiration for our diverse, international simulation community.
Site selection for IMSH is guided by several important criteria:
- Ease of travel for both domestic and international attendees
- Sufficient hotel and meeting space for sessions, exhibits, and networking
- Proximity to academic, clinical, or innovation hubs in healthcare simulation
- Cultural and geographic diversity to ensure equitable access to the meeting
SSH also considers attendee feedback and works to balance affordability with a high-quality experience.
As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, SSH makes these decisions through a lens of mission alignment, inclusivity, and the long-term benefit to the global healthcare simulation community.
IMSH is built for everyone involved in healthcare simulation — from educators, researchers, and operations specialists to clinicians, program directors, engineers, and students. Whether you're brand-new to simulation or a seasoned expert, IMSH provides the opportunity to grow, connect, and lead in the field.
IMSH features a diverse, multi-day program including hands-on workshops, immersive courses, peer-reviewed presentations, research abstracts, SimVentor innovations, panel discussions, and interactive demonstrations. Whether you're looking for practical training or emerging insights, IMSH offers a format that fits your learning goals.
Registration for IMSH typically opens in September. Visit IMSH2026.org to view pricing, track deadlines, and complete your registration when available. Early-bird discounts are offered, and SSH members receive exclusive pricing.
IMSH offers multiple registration packages to meet attendee needs:
- Full Conference
- One-Day Pass
- Exhibit Hall Only
- Guest Pass
- Group & Institutional
SSH members receive discounted rates across all categories.
No. At this time, SSH does not offer IMSH as a virtual option. However, SSH provides other ongoing virtual and hybrid content throughout the year. Visit SSIH.org for details.
*Closed for IMSH 2026.*
SSH opens a Call for Content each spring, inviting submissions for courses, research abstracts, SimVentor innovations, and more. All proposals are peer-reviewed. Submission timelines and guidelines are posted once the call opens in the spring.
SSH negotiates discounted rates with hotels near the convention center. Official hotel information and booking links will be available through the IMSH registration portal once registration opens. Booking early is strongly encouraged to secure your preferred accommodations. NOTE: The headquarter hotel traditionally sells out quickly, so plan to book early.
Yes. The IMSH Exhibit Hall is the largest in healthcare simulation (and keeps growing!) and showcases the latest technologies, tools, and services. You’ll find everything from VR and task trainers to full simulation systems, software, and curriculum tools. Exhibitor listings and hall hours will be available closer to the event on the IMSH website.
Absolutely. IMSH includes formal networking receptions, interest group meetups, exhibit hall activities, and plenty of informal opportunities to connect. Whether you're looking to collaborate, recruit, or just meet others in the field, IMSH is a powerful networking hub.
SSH offers a limited number of scholarships each year to support attendance at IMSH. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, professional goals, and/or alignment with the SSH mission. Details and deadlines are posted on the IMSH website.
