Event & Program Details
CMSS Annual Meeting 2026: Leading Through Disruption
Specialty Societies in a Changing Landscape
November 18-20, 2026 at the San Diego Mission Bay Resort in San Diego, CA
The CMSS Annual Meeting is the premier annual convening of staff and leaders serving medical specialty societies and their members. Our annual meeting provides the specialty society community with a platform for sharing innovative ideas and best practices that address issues of importance across specialties. It also showcases collaborative efforts demonstrating the power and potential of working together to advance our shared vision.
Who should attend?
Staff and leadership from medical specialty societies as well as other healthcare association, patient group, and industry stakeholders. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with and learn from your fellow medical specialty society peers!
Why attend?
We invite you to join us for an unforgettable experience. Here are just some of the benefits of attending:
- Networking – connect with peers across over 50 specialty societies, healthcare and patient organizations, and industry partners
- Learning & Discovery – hear fresh perspectives from thought leaders and contribute to discussions on a range of critical issues affecting patient care
- Engagement & Collaboration – share best practices and explore opportunities for collaboration and innovation across specialties
- Tangible Take-Aways – come away with new ideas, practices, strategies, and perspectives, as well as potential partners, collaborators, and resources
Schedule at a Glance
| Date & Time | Event Details |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, November 18 | |
| 8:00 am – 4:30 pm | GLEAM Summit |
| 9:00 am – 3:00 pm | OPDA Meeting |
| 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm | Select Professional Peer Group (PPG) Meetings |
| 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm | Welcome Reception |
| Thursday, November 19 | |
| 8:00 am – 12:30 pm | Select Professional Peer Group (PPG) Meetings |
| 8:00 am – 12:30 pm | CEO Council Meeting |
| 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm | Annual Meeting Sessions |
| 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm | Reception with Industry Partners |
| Friday, November 20 | |
| 8:00 am – 4:00 pm | Annual Meeting Sessions |
| 4:00 pm | Meeting Adjourns |
Registration
Registration will open soon! Be sure to take advantage of the early bird rate by registering on or before October 15 to receive discounted pricing.
Please contact registration@cmss.org with any questions.
| Category | Early – On or Before October 15 | Late – After October 15 |
| Member – Annual Meeting | $775 | $900 |
| Member – PPGs Only | $310 | $385 |
| Member – Virtual PPGs Only | $75 | $125 |
| Non-Member – Annual Meeting | $930 | $1,060 |
| GLEAM + Annual Meeting* | $775 | $900 |
| GLEAM Only | $0 | $0 |
| OPDA + Annual Meeting | $775 | $900 |
| OPDA Only | $415 | $490 |
Call for Proposals
The Call for Proposals for the 2026 CMSS Annual Meeting is now closed. Presenter notifications will be shared the week of August 17.
Hotel
San Diego Mission Bay Resort
1775 East Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
Phone Number: 619-677-1161
The Council of Medical Specialty Societies has secured a limited number of sleeping rooms at a special discounted rate. To obtain the special rate, make your reservations early and indicate you are attending the “CMSS Annual Meeting 2026”. The discounted rates expire on the dates noted below or when the room blocks have been filled. After that time, availability will be limited and higher rates may apply.
Rate: $239 | Resort Fee: $29
Check-in times: 4:00pm | Check-out times: 11:00am
Cut off: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Phone Reservations: 619-276-4010 or 877-313-6645 and reference
“CMSS Annual Meeting 2026”
Parking Information
Self-Parking: $20/night plus tax
*CMSS does not validate for parking and rates are subject to change. Please contact your hotel for more information.
Travel and Transportation
Airport:
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Address: 3225 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-400-2400
Distance from hotel to airport: 6.3 mi
Estimated Drive Time: 15 minutes
Taxi:
Approximately $22-30
Uber:
Approximately $27-31
United Airlines Discount
We are pleased to partner with United Airlines® for travel to the Annual Conference. To make flight reservations online please use the discount code: ZSN8836432
MileagePlus® members earn miles for their travel when using the United Meetings℠ discount code.
You may also call United Meetings Reservation Desk from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, Monday–Friday (closed for major U.S. holidays) at (800) 426-1122 for booking assistance or visit united.com/meetingtravel and enter the code above.
Booking fees are waived for United Meetings reservations. International customers may contact their local United® Reservation Desk.
Weather/Conference Attire
The average high for San Diego in November is 70°F and the average low is 54°F. Meeting room temperatures tend to vary. Please bring a light sweater or jacket to all meetings.
Ancillary Meetings / Function Space Request
Functions may not be scheduled to compete with the events of the CMSS Annual Meeting. All onsite and offsite activities on Wednesday, November 18 through Friday, November 20, 2026, must be reviewed & approved by CMSS prior to issuing any invitations.
San Diego Information
For information on the city of San Diego https://www.sandiego.org/
For a list of restaurants in the area https://www.sandiego.org/food-drink/restaurants
Questions
Please contact Education@cmss.org with questions regarding the Annual Meeting.
Event Policies
Registration Policies
Registration Cancellation/Substitution:
Requests for refunds must be made in writing and received on or before the published cancellation date of November 4, 2026. There is a $50 handling fee for ALL refunds and returned checks. Cancellations and registrations postmarked after the deadline date will not be eligible for refunds. Requests for substitutions from one registrant to another should be submitted to registration@cmss.org. CMSS reserves the right to substitute faculty or to cancel or reschedule sessions because of low enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If CMSS must cancel the entire meeting, registrants will receive a full credit or refund of their paid registration fee. CMSS can make no refunds for lodging, airfare, or any other expenses related to attending the conference.
CMSS reserves the right to substitute faculty or to cancel or reschedule sessions because of low enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If CMSS must cancel the entire meeting, registrants will receive a full credit or refund of their paid registration fee. CMSS can make no refunds for lodging, airfare, or any other expenses related to attending the conference.
Photography and Recording:
By registering and attending the CMSS Annual Meeting, you acknowledge and agree that photographs and/or video recordings may be taken of you during the event. You consent to the use of these images and recordings for promotional, educational, and informational purposes by CMSS. This includes, but is not limited to, publication on the CMSS website, social media platforms, and in printed materials.
Recorded sessions are owned by CMSS and may be made available for on-demand viewing. If you have questions regarding session recording or do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please email education@cmss.org.
Event Health & Safety Protocols:
CMSS is committed to providing a safe meeting environment for all participants, and will follow all federal, state and local regulations based on the current conditions at the time of the meeting. All attendees agree to comply with any Health & Safety Protocols that may be put in place at the time of the meeting.
CMSS asks attendees who are not feeling well not to travel to the meeting. If an attendee feels unwell or is displaying symptoms during the meeting, we recommend refraining from contact with others. Masks are not required but are welcome and will be available at the registration desk.
CMSS reserves the right to update these Health & Safety Protocols in advance of the event and will notify all registrants of any changes.
Registrants acknowledge that travel to and attending in person meetings entails the risk of contracting communicable diseases. By registering, you agree to waive and hold the Council of Medical Specialty Societies, the facility, and each of their agents harmless from and against any liability, damages or expenses arising from travel to or attendance at the event that result in contracting communicable diseases.
