Houston, TX

Hospitals today are being asked to do more with less, all while patient expectations, staffing pressures, and aging infrastructure keep piling up. To tackle these challenges head on, some of the industry’s top hospital executives and facilities leaders will gather in Houston for the Smart Healthcare Facilities Convention (SHFC) 2026, taking place September 1 to 2, 2026.

The event is invite only, and spots are intentionally limited. Organizers are keeping the guest list small on purpose, so the conversations stay candid and the connections actually mean something, rather than turning into another oversized trade show where nobody remembers who they talked to.

The convention is built around a simple idea: the physical spaces where care happens matter just as much as the care itself. Over two days, attendees will dig into the issues shaping the future of hospital operations, including:

• Smart infrastructure. How connected building systems, IoT sensors, and automation are changing the way hospitals run day to day.
• AI driven operations. From patient flow management to real time analytics, artificial intelligence is becoming a core part of how modern hospitals function.
• Cybersecurity and data protection. As more systems connect to networks, protecting patient data and critical infrastructure has become a top priority.
• Sustainability and energy efficiency. Hospitals are looking for ways to cut costs and reduce their environmental footprint without compromising care.
• Emergency preparedness. Building resilience into facilities so hospitals can respond quickly when it matters most.
• Workforce wellbeing. Designing spaces and systems that actually support the people working in them, not just the patients coming through.

The convention brings together senior healthcare executives, facilities leaders, and technology innovators for a mix of keynotes, panel discussions, and curated one on one meetings with 25 vetted solution providers. The discussion panels are really the heart of the event. Rather than sitting through one way presentations, attendees will take part in small group conversations where hospital leaders can compare notes, push back on ideas, and talk honestly about what’s actually working inside their own systems.

Planned panel topics include:

• AI in daily hospital operations. A look at how hospitals are using AI to improve patient flow, scale telehealth, and pull more value out of real time data, featuring leaders who’ve actually implemented these systems and can speak to what worked and what didn’t.
• Balancing innovation with budget reality. A candid conversation on how facilities leaders decide where to invest first when resources are limited and everything feels urgent.
• Cybersecurity from the executive seat. A discussion aimed less at the technical details and more at how leadership should think about risk, response, and accountability.
• What sustainability actually looks like in practice. Real examples from hospitals that have made measurable progress on energy use and efficiency, not just made pledges.

Because the room stays small, these sessions are designed to feel more like a working group than a stage presentation, giving attendees room to ask pointed questions and walk away with something they can actually use.

“Hospital leaders are under more pressure than ever to modernize their facilities without disrupting patient care,” organizers noted. “We kept this event invite only and capped the number of seats on purpose. It’s about giving people real conversations and real connections, not just another conference agenda full of buzzwords.”

Beyond the sessions themselves, SHFC 2026 will include networking events throughout the two days and the Smart Facility Awards, which recognize organizations and individuals pushing the industry forward.

Given the invite only format and limited number of spots, organizers encourage interested hospital executives and facilities leaders to request an invitation early, as seats are expected to fill well ahead of the event.

Event Details

• Event: Smart Healthcare Facilities Convention 2026
• Dates: September 1 to 2, 2026
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Format: Invite only, limited seating

The convention is produced by BMA Conventions, a premier events and conference provider dedicated to creating high impact gatherings that drive innovation and industry connections across sectors including healthcare, data centers, and manufacturing.

For registration and more information, visit: https://bmaconventions.com/smart-healthcare-facilities-convention-2026-sep/

Media Contact Details
BMA Conventions
Email: Send Email
Phone: 214-851-9369
Website: www.bmaconventions.com

Ashburn, VA

Data centers are under more pressure than ever to keep pace with AI demand, tighter energy budgets, and a growing list of security threats, all while staying online around the clock. To dig into these challenges together, some of the industry’s top facility leaders and operators will gather in Ashburn, Virginia for the Data Center Facilities Convention 2026, taking place November 17-18.

The event is invite only, and spots are intentionally limited. Organizers are keeping the room small on purpose, so conversations stay honest and the relationships built there actually go somewhere, instead of getting lost in a massive trade show floor.

The convention is built around one idea: the facilities behind our digital infrastructure need just as much innovation as the technology running inside them. Over two days, attendees will work through the issues shaping the future of data center operations, including:

• AI ready infrastructure. How operators are retooling power, cooling, and rack design to support AI training and inference at scale.
• Smart infrastructure and predictive maintenance. The shift toward automated, sensor driven facilities that catch problems before they cause downtime.
• Renewable energy and sustainability. How operators are securing wind and solar power and working toward carbon neutral operations.
• Cybersecurity and risk management. Protecting increasingly connected, mission critical infrastructure from both physical and digital threats.

The discussion panels are really where the event earns its reputation. Rather than sitting through one way presentations, attendees take part in small group conversations where operators can compare real numbers, admit what hasn’t worked, and talk honestly about the tradeoffs behind their biggest decisions.

Planned panel topics include:

• Powering the AI boom. Facility leaders discuss how they’re managing power constraints and planning for AI driven demand that shows no signs of slowing down.
• The real cost of going green. A candid look at what carbon neutral commitments actually require, and where operators are ahead or behind their own timelines.
• Cybersecurity from the operations seat. Less about technical specifics, more about how leadership should think about risk, response, and accountability across physical and digital systems.
• Predictive maintenance in practice. Real examples from operators using AI and sensor data to reduce downtime, told by people who’ve actually implemented it.

Because the group stays small, these sessions feel more like a working group than a stage presentation, giving attendees room to ask direct questions and leave with something they can put to use right away.

“Facility leaders are being asked to modernize faster than ever, without any room for downtime,” organizers noted. “We kept this event invite only and capped the number of seats on purpose. It’s about real conversations and real connections, not another crowded conference floor.”

The convention also brings together operators and 25 vetted solution providers for curated one on one meetings, along with the Smart Data Center Facilities Awards, recognizing organizations and individuals pushing the industry forward.

Given the invite only format and limited number of spots, organizers encourage interested facility leaders and operators to request an invitation early, as seats are expected to fill well ahead of the event.

Event Details

• Event: Data Center Facilities Convention 2026
• Dates: November 17 & 18, 2026
• Location: Ashburn, Virginia (DoubleTree by Hilton, Washington Dulles Airport)
• Format: Invite only, limited seating

The convention is produced by BMA Conventions, a premier events and conference provider dedicated to creating high impact gatherings that drive innovation and industry connections across sectors including data centers, healthcare, and manufacturing.

For registration and more information, visit: https://bmaconventions.com/data-center-facilities-convention/

Media Contact Details
BMA Conventions
Email: Send Email
Phone: 214-851-9369
Website: www.bmaconventions.com

LAKE FOREST, IL

PepperBall®, the leader in non-lethal public safety solutions, today announced the appointment of Naomi Schware as Vice President of Marketing. Schware joins the executive leadership team to lead the company’s global brand strategy, product marketing, communications, digital marketing, demand generation, and customer engagement initiatives as PepperBall continues to expand its leadership in de-escalation technologies.

Schware brings more than a decade of experience building and growing brands across the tactical, outdoor, powersports, and western industries. Her career began in the tactical market, where she helped develop global brands before leading integrated B2B and direct-to-consumer marketing strategies for both consumer and professional audiences. Her appointment marks her return to the tactical industry- a move she describes as “coming home”- driven by the PepperBall mission of providing non-lethal solutions that help de-escalate critical situations and protect officers, individuals, and the broader community.

“Naomi is a strategic leader who understands how to build brands with authenticity, purpose, and measurable business impact,” said Bob Plaschke, CEO of PepperBall. “Her experience connecting with diverse audiences, combined with her passion for our mission, makes her an outstanding addition to our leadership team. As PepperBall continues to grow, Naomi’s leadership will help strengthen our brand while ensuring we remain focused on the people we ultimately serve.”

Schware’s marketing philosophy centers on building brands from the end user back to the brand. She believes successful marketing begins with a deep understanding of customer needs, intentional audience segmentation, and delivering meaningful messaging through the right channels. At PepperBall, she will lead efforts to further strengthen the company’s brand while navigating the unique perspectives of its diverse customer base and reinforcing the organization’s position as the global leader in non-lethal de-escalation solutions.

“I couldn’t be more excited to join PepperBall,” said Schware. “Returning to the tactical industry feels like coming full circle, but what truly drew me back was the company’s purpose.

PepperBall isn’t simply manufacturing products, it’s creating solutions that help people make better decisions during critical moments. That’s a mission worth building a brand around.” Beyond her professional experience, Schware brings a unique combination of leadership and life experience to PepperBall. Her military service and experience leading global marketing teams have shaped her leadership philosophy, strengthened her ability to understand audiences from all backgrounds, and reinforced her belief that resilient teams, shared purpose, and authentic storytelling build enduring brands. “PepperBall has built an incredible reputation through innovation, trust, and a relentless commitment to its customers,” Schware added. “I’m excited to partner with this talented team to continue telling that story, strengthening our relationships with every audience we serve, and supporting the company’s next phase of growth.”

About PepperBall®

PepperBall is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-lethal law enforcement solutions that de-escalate confrontations, safely change behavior and ultimately save lives. For over two decades, PepperBall has been the trusted non-lethal partner for thousands of law enforcement, correctional and military professionals worldwide, and over 20 million PepperBall projectiles have been safely deployed. To learn more about PepperBall, visit pepperball.com.

Media Contact Details
Katherine Riley
Email: Send Email
Website: www.pepperball.com