A new chapter begins

Collaborate with like-minded leaders about emerging healthcare trends

Overview

Join Mercer in either New York City or Half Moon Bay for an opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders and Mercer experts on emerging trends and innovation in healthcare. Engage in personal and professional growth while connecting with peers from other organizations.

The theme for 2026 is The Game has Changed: Building healthcare strategies for tomorrow’s realities. We look forward to diving into the complexities of this topic alongside you. 

Why attend

The Innovation Symposium is an opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders and Mercer experts on innovation in healthcare and emerging trends. You will have the chance to learn and contribute to your personal and professional growth while networking and connecting with peers from other organizations.

As an attendee, you will be joined by industry experts who have a unique point of view on how employers and healthcare organizations can collaborate to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes. 

The symposium is designed to offer an intimate experience that fosters engagement and collaboration. Therefore, we ask you to please limit attendance to one contact per organization.

Agenda

Monday - Pre-event networking over light snacks and drinks (optional)

Tuesday - Day 1

Round robin of introductions, attendees will answer a question or two on their priorities, needs, and challenges as well as goals for the coming years. 

As healthcare delivery evolves, so must the employer strategies that support it. Leveraging data-driven insights to drive value and improve quality is no longer a future goal — it’s a present necessity. Through real-world client experiences and focused discussions on emerging trends, we explore how to translate insight into actionable strategies that deliver measurable outcomes.

The healthcare market is undergoing a profound transformation as new players enter the scene and established players evolve. From direct-to-consumer approaches to evolving pharmacy benefit management strategies, these shifts are redefining how care and medications are delivered and by whom. Understanding and adapting to this remade market is critical for staying ahead in a rapidly changing landscape.

Engaging Oxford-style debate will explore the complex considerations employers face when establishing a sustainable GLP-1 strategy. Panelists will present arguments for and against coverage, addressing factors such as clinical efficacy, cost-effectiveness, long-term health outcomes, and ethical considerations. Attendees will gain a nuanced understanding of this evolving treatment landscape and practical insights to inform future benefit design.

Wednesday - Day 2

In today’s healthcare environment, transparency is no longer optional — it’s essential. Clients expect clear, accessible data that they can trust and use to make informed decisions. By embracing innovative tools like synthetic data and real-world use cases, we empower clients to take control of their healthcare journey, fostering trust and driving better outcomes.

Work with your peers in small groups to apply learnings from Day 1 to the future’s trickiest challenges.

Location

Mercer's 2026 Innovation Symposium

New York City, New York

When:  February 23 - 25, 2026

Where: Mercer Office

1166 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Hotel: The Edition, Times Square

701 7th Avenue,  New York, NY 10036

Register now

Half Moon Bay, California

When: March 2 - 4, 2026

Where: The Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay

1 Miramontes Point Rd,

Half Moon, CA 94019

Register now

Questions

If you have any questions or concerns with the conference, please contact Erin Jones.

Contact us to speak to a specialist

If your organization is not attending the 2026 Innovation Symposium, you can still talk to one our Mercer experts on innovation in healthcare and emerging trends. Simply fill in a form and we will be in touch.