HSPA 2026 Baltimore Draws Record Preconference Attendance as Sterile Processing Professionals Focus on Education, Networking, and Community Impact

The 2026 Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) Annual Conference, held in Baltimore, Maryland, from April 25 to 28, had already broken records before the official conference even began.

Speaking from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor during the conference’s preconference activities, Damien Berg, vice president of strategic initiatives for the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), described an event marked by unprecedented participation, expanded education, and strong community engagement.

“This is day zero,” Berg said. “Technically, it’s our preconference day, but there’s so much activity.” He noted that workshops were completely full and that attendance numbers had already exceeded previous preconference records. “We’ve pretty much, I think, broken records on attendance for preconference,” he said. “We’ve never had this many people come in and register on a Saturday.”

According to Berg, the growth reflects both the expanding role of sterile processing professionals and increasing demand for hands-on education and networking opportunities.

“HSPA is on this great trajectory where we’re growing,” he said. “We’re providing the latest state-of-the-art education, but also having great experience, which is what this is about.”

The conference features technical seminars, educational workshops, networking events, leadership meetings, and general sessions designed to support sterile processing professionals at every career stage. Berg emphasized that the conference’s value extends beyond classroom education.

“Education and experience in person; you can’t beat that anywhere else,” he said.

In addition to professional development, HSPA continued its longstanding tradition of supporting local charities in host cities. This year, the organization partnered with Aaron's Place, a Baltimore-area nonprofit supporting individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, and hardship.

“We try to do that everywhere we go,” Berg explained.

As part of the initiative, attendees participated in an “Empty Bowl” event, purchasing and decorating handcrafted bowls that will later be filled with food and distributed back into the community.

“No family should be with an empty bowl,” Berg said. “They should always have food in their bowl.”

The charitable event drew significant participation from attendees and industry partners, further reinforcing the sense of community often associated with HSPA conferences.

Beyond domestic participation, Byrd highlighted the organization’s continued international growth. HSPA now includes approximately 64,000 members and certificants across the United States and Canada, along with 59 chapters, including 6 international chapters.

“We’re just continuing to grow, continue to be strong,” he said.

The conference also serves as an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and build new professional relationships. Berg described the atmosphere as both energizing and collaborative, with attendees ranging from first-time participants to longtime industry veterans.

“We’ve met so many new people for the first time, and also a lot of old friends, our industry partners, and international friends as well,” he said.

Looking ahead, Berg announced that the 2027 HSPA conference will be held in Columbus, Ohio, as the organization continues expanding its educational and professional reach.

For Berg, the momentum surrounding HSPA 2026 extends beyond attendance numbers alone. It signals a growing recognition of sterile processing professionals as essential contributors to patient safety and health care quality.

“We are the largest conference for sterile processing professionals and industry partners in America,” he said. “And we’re proud of that.”