AGENDA

LESS Society Annual Meeting 2026 
October 22–24, 2026 | Fort Lauderdale, FL 

Pillars: Technology • Investment • Education • Research 

Committees: Tech & Innovation • Investment • ASC • Education • YELL •Research 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 

Day 0 — Registration, Vendor Setup & Welcome Event 

12:00–5:00 PM — Vendor Setup & Attendee Registration 

Exhibitor load-in 

Attendee check-in, gift bags, app access 

Information desk available 

6:30–8:30 PM — Welcome Mixer

• Live performance 

• Networking mixer 

• Sponsor activation areas 

• Photo backdrop 

 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2026 

Day 1: Exhibit Hall Open: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM 

7:00–8:00 AM — Breakfast + Free Exploration 

• Open-house format 

• Attendees walk the exhibit hall, explore rooms, meet vendors 

8:00–8:15 AM — Opening Remarks 

Delivered by LESS Society President 

8:15–8:45 AM — Opening Keynote 

“The Global Trajectory of Less Exposure Surgery” 

8:45–10:15 AM — Research Committee Plenary (10-Minute Talks) 

Six 10-minute presentations + 15-minute panel Q&A 
Led by Research Committee 

10:15–10:45 AM — Coffee Break + Poster Session A 

10:45 AM–12:00 PM — Technology & Innovation Showcase

12:00–1:00 PM — Sponsored Lunch

1:00–2:30 PM — ASC Committee Plenary (1.5 Hours) 

Topics include: 

• ASC ownership models 

• Governance 

• Workflow, staffing, and OR efficiency 

• Reimbursement and CMS updates 

• Legal considerations for ASC partnerships 

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3:00–3:45 PM — Industry Speed-Dating Breakouts 

10–12 minute rotating sessions 

Based on tech pitch format 

3:45–4:00 PM — Afternoon Mixer 

4:00–5:00 PM — Performance + Apps 

5:00 PM — Day 1 Adjourn 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2026 
 

Day 2 — Education (AM) + Research (PM) 

Exhibit Hall Open: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM 

 

SATURDAY MORNING — EDUCATION 
 

8:00–8:45 AM — Education Breakfast Presentation 
 

9:00–11:00 AM — Education Committee Plenary 
 

Certification Committee 

• Standards for LESS program completion 

Credentialing Committee 

• Credentialing support 

• Letters of recommendation 

• Proctoring assistance 

Additional content: 

• Training pathways 

• Global LESS curriculum 

• Paid training program showcases 

• VET Tour presentation 

SATURDAY MIDDAY — Sponsored Lunch Talk 

12:00–12:45 PM — Sponsored Session 

Speakers may include: 

• Product companies 

• Legal firms 

• Fund managers 

• Practice-finance advisors 

 

SATURDAY AFTERNOON — RESEARCH (FINAL BLOCK) 

1:00–3:00 PM — Research Presentations + Awards 

• Rapid abstracts 

• Poster finals 

• Innovation updates 

• Research presentations 

 
 

CLOSING LUNCH + AWARDS CEREMONY 

Awards: 

1. Best Clinical Publication 

2. Best Scientific Publication 

3. Best New Technology 

4. Entrepreneur of the Year (ASC) 

5. Young Entrepreneur of the Year (ASC) — Mark Jones 

6. Leadership Award — Dr. Kingsley Chin 

7. Fellowship Graduate Recognition — Raikar, Navalgund, others 

Monetary prizes + sponsorship required per award. 

 

3:00 PM — Conference Concludes