As part of our AdvaMed in Action series, we’re spotlighting where our experts are driving conversations and shaping the future of health care at this year’s conference. From AI-powered breakthroughs to cross-border collaboration, AdvaMed’s subject matter leaders will be front and center.

This October 5–8, San Diego becomes the global hub for health innovation as thousands of industry leaders gather for The MedTech Conference, hosted by AdvaMed. We caught up with Shaye Mandle, AdvaMed’s Executive Director, Digital Health Tech, to explore why digital health is a defining theme this year — and what makes this moment especially critical for our industry.

Q: What is The MedTech Conference — and who attends?

A: The MedTech Conference is the premier global gathering for health tech and medtech. It’s where more than 4,000 leaders come together for timely conversations that shape the future of health care — from business strategy and regulatory policy to AI, diagnostics, imaging, and digital health.

Titles range from Chief Technology and Innovation Officers to AI leaders, connected care executives, and digital health business leaders — including representation from across the continuum of care.

Q: Why should digital health companies prioritize this event?

A: Because this is where ideas become action. The Digital Health Technologies (DHT) track is designed specifically for companies working at the intersection of tech and health care. It’s not just about attending — it’s about shaping the future. You’ll connect with investors, strategics, and policymakers — and explore how to scale digital tools in real-world settings. Whether you’re in AI, wearables, or remote monitoring, this is your community.

And with today’s health policy and regulatory environment increasingly focused on preventive care and unlocking cost savings through digital health, the conference delivers both strategic alignment and practical value. The DHT program features leaders from across the entire health care value chain — payers, providers, consumer tech, and health innovators — all in one place.

Q: What are the key themes of the DHT program this year?

A: We’re focused on five critical areas:

AI-Powered Health Care – Unlocking critical data and driving adoption at scale. Whether you’re building AI tools or not, access to and use of data remains central to success — and this session speaks to that.

Scaling GenAI in Medtech – This isn’t just about the future; it’s happening now. We’ll spotlight real-world business outcomes — from R&D and supply chain to clinical trials and commercial operations — and explore how leading companies are using GenAI to transform how they operate.

Connected Care & Remote Monitoring – This session doubles down on interoperability, care delivery in the lowest-cost setting, and meeting patients where they are. It’s closely aligned with today’s top legislative priorities, including strengthening the continuum of care.

Big Tech + Health Tech Collaboration – We’ll explore where Big Tech and Medtech are building joint solutions — what’s working, what isn’t, and what the future holds for transforming care through strategic collaboration.

The Future of Health Tech & Wearables – The depth and breadth of wearables continues to grow exponentially. This session explores how consumers, patients, and clinicians are co-creating the future of health — from advanced sensors to platform integration — and what that means for the next 50 years of innovation.

Q: What are you most excited about in 2025?

A: The people. This is the one place where leaders across digital health — from Medtech to Big Tech and everything in between — come together to share, learn, and lead. You’ll see them on stage, meet them in the Medtech Campus, and connect in the hallways.

We’re at a true inflection point. With digital health aligning more than ever with policy objectives, the opportunity to support clinicians and patients in new ways has never been more tangible. From cutting-edge tech to the next wave of connected care, you’ll get a glimpse into what the next 50 years of health care could look like — and meet the people driving that future.

Q: What is the Medtech Campus and why should digital health leaders prioritize it?

A: The Medtech Campus is more than just a destination — it’s a vital part of the conference experience. Home to hundreds of (international) exhibiting companies and dozens of programming activations, it’s where business development, discovery, and connections converge. Across the show floor, you’ll find immersive demos in the Tech in Motion Hub, candid insights from leading CEOs at the Unplugged Stage, and inspiring patient stories that highlight the real-world impact of medtech.

The Campus also features startup presentations, innovation pavilions for early-stage companies, and sector-based sessions from this year’s MedTech Innovator cohort. Whether you’re looking to meet investors, discover new technologies, or recruit top talent at the Next Gen HQ, the Campus delivers real opportunities. Don’t just pass through — build time into your agenda to walk the floor, experience the tech firsthand, and connect with the people and ideas redefining digital health.

Q: Any speaker details you can share?

A: We’re finalizing the lineup now, but I can tell you we’re pairing business and technology leaders from across the industry to show how real transformation happens — and what it takes to move from experimentation to scale. Some of the most exciting names in digital health will be there, on stage and in the Campus. Dexcom, Google, Microsoft, Nanowear, Oura are just a few of the companies that will be featured. But the list goes on and on.

Q: Final thoughts — why attend?

A: If you’re building the future of digital health, this is the room you want to be in. Where else can you sit at a table with peers across digital health, medtech, big tech, and consumer tech — all driving the future of care?

With health care changing rapidly, public policy, reimbursement, and regulation are more important than ever. AdvaMed creates the platform where innovators can help shape the landscape — by identifying roadblocks and informing the policies that will unlock digital health’s full potential.

The visibility, connections, and collaboration opportunities are unmatched — and this year’s shaping up to be the most impactful yet.