Moving to a motorsports venue, the 34th annual event focuses on workforce development, leadership, and revitalizing the local HTM community.
By Alyx Arnett
After more than three decades in downtown Indianapolis, the Indiana Biomedical Society (IBS) is moving its annual conference to the fast lane. Taking place April 24 and 25, the 2026 IBS Annual Conference will be held at the Dallara IndyCar Factory in Speedway, Indiana, a move aimed at bringing new energy to the state’s healthcare technology management (HTM) community.
According to IBS president Blake Neawedde, CBET, the organization hosted the event at a downtown Sheraton for 32 years. While that location served the society well, changes in attendance after the pandemic and rising operating costs prompted the organization to make a change for its 36th year.
“We felt it was time to refresh the experience and bring new energy to the event,” says Neawedde. By moving to a more interactive venue and partnering with organizations like the Indiana Society for Healthcare Engineering and the College of Biomedical Equipment Technology (CBET), IBS is working to strengthen the local HTM workforce and create more opportunities across the profession.
Addressing the Staffing Shortage
A central theme of the 2026 gathering is workforce development, a key issue as more technicians retire and training programs decline. Paul Nehr, CBET, supervisor of biomedical engineering at Parkview Health, will lead a session addressing the staffing shortage.
“All of us are facing retirements, staff sniping, and shortages. HTM degree programs are disappearing all around us, creating a deficit of skilled labor,” Nehr says. “If we don’t step in and become part of the solution, we will find ourselves on the losing side of the staffing deficiency.”
He plans to highlight active growth programs and steps current professionals can take to inspire future technicians.
To support that incoming generation, IBS is expanding its educational funding. While the society previously provided scholarships for students at a local university program that recently closed, Neawedde says IBS has partnered with CBET to offer scholarships of up to $1,500 for enrolled HTM students, backed by vendor support.
Character-Driven Leadership
The focus on the future extends to the keynote address, delivered by Richard Gonzales, EdD, president of CBET. Gonzales will explore the concept of character-driven leadership, comparing the high-stakes environments navigated by military personnel and today’s healthcare technology environment.
During his presentation, Gonzales will examine real-world stories of Medal of Honor recipients and modern leaders like General Stan McChrystal to illustrate how daily discipline builds trust.
According to Gonzales, today’s HTM leaders are dealing with more challenges, including cybersecurity risks, supply chain issues, and constant changes in technology, while still supporting patient care. He says technical skills alone are no longer enough.
“Character-driven leadership has become the differentiator that sustains trust, empowers agile teams, and ensures ethical decision-making when speed and uncertainty collide,” Gonzales says. He adds that attendees will leave with an understanding that “character is the non-negotiable bedrock of effective leadership.”
Beyond leadership and workforce development sessions, the schedule also features technical sessions, including a deep dive into clinical suction and National Fire Protection Association standards led by Kevin Klocek of Boehringer Labs.
Networking Among IndyCars
Outside the classrooms, the Dallara IndyCar Factory will serve as the setting for networking and vendor engagement. The exhibit floor will feature dozens of booths from major original equipment manufacturers—including Mindray, GE HealthCare, Nihon Kohden, and Philips—as well as test equipment partners like Fluke and Pronk.
Because of the venue, Neawedde notes that the exhibit floor will be surrounded by IndyCars and racing-themed elements. To help attendees connect with suppliers, the conference is introducing larger showcase booths positioned in the main hall. The goal is to encourage hands-on interaction with the latest medical technology in a setting that feels less like a traditional conference hall and more like an immersive experience, he says. Neawedde adds that professional-grade e-racing simulators are also planned for the event floor.
The networking kicks off with a Friday evening social mixer at the facility, which Neawedde highlights as an opportunity for attendees to settle in. He notes that the relaxed environment allows people to walk the floor and connect.
Ultimately, the redesigned conference aims to deliver the training regional technicians need while strengthening the local professional network. Neawedde expects the event to draw a diverse crowd of technicians, shop managers, directors, and students.
“Events like this are one of the best ways to build real relationships in the industry—connections that often end up helping solve problems, share best practices, or support major projects back at your facility,” Neawedde says.
Registration is open through April 15 and can be completed on IBS’s website. Registration is $75, which includes an annual IBS membership. ISHE members are also eligible for a dual-membership option this year.
Photo caption: E-simulators at the Dallara IndyCar Factory
Photo credit: IBS
