The best executive roundtables feel less like a meeting and more like a real conversation. Hospital and health system leaders share ideas and discover new ways to tackle their toughest challenges together.
Hospital and health system leaders want to discuss challenges with peers. They want to hear what is working at other organizations and gain practical insights they can take back to their teams. Executive roundtables give them that chance. For companies hosting these discussions, it is a unique way to connect with leaders, surface what matters most to them and demonstrate thought leadership in a setting that sparks conversation.
How Roundtables Open Doors: A Success Story
One professional services company faced a tough challenge connecting with hard-to-reach hospital prospects in a specialized area. After partnering with the American Hospital Association to host a series of roundtables, they gained access to highly qualified patient experience professionals who rarely had the chance to network. The results were striking: 131 new leads, 18 new opportunities and a 66 percent conversion rate to clients. As one business development manager put it, “I have been trying to get in touch with those three hospitals for the last six months. No one would return my calls. Now they are all right here in front of me.”
This story illustrates the power of well-planned roundtables to build meaningful relationships and generate results. The following tips will help you create roundtables that engage hospital and health system leaders and deliver value for your organization.
Set the Stage for a Meaningful Discussion
Start with your goals. Are you trying to uncover new insights? Test a solution? Build real relationships with decision-makers? Being clear about what you want will guide every step in the right direction. Focus on topics hospital leaders are actively wrestling with today and make the session worth their time. Consider issues like:
- Attracting and retaining clinical staff
- Navigating alternative payment models and value-based care
- Implementing new technology without disrupting operations
- Managing financial pressures including reimbursement changes and cost containment
Choosing topics that are timely, practical and meaningful shows you understand the field and sets the stage for a productive conversation. The American Hospital Association (AHA) is a valuable resource for staying informed on the issues and trends that matter most to hospital and health system leaders, helping you select topics that will resonate and drive engagement.
Include the Right Decision-Makers
Hospital decisions rarely rest with a single leader. To get the most from a roundtable, invite a mix of influencers from finance, operations and clinical leadership. Focus on these key elements:
- Keep it small: Eight to twelve participants is ideal for real conversation
- Mix perspectives: Include people who influence decisions, not just the CEO
- Facilitate well: A skilled moderator keeps the discussion on track and uncovers actionable takeaways
Bringing together varied viewpoints enriches the conversation for participants and can reveal new opportunities for collaboration.
Create Networking Opportunities
Roundtables create the most value when participants can connect beyond the main discussion. Build in space for one-on-one or small group conversations so attendees can explore potential collaborations, share insights and form meaningful relationships. This could include informal coffee or meal breaks, curated introductions or breakout groups focused on shared challenges. Giving leaders the time and structure to connect in this way deepens engagement and strengthens the bonds between participants and hosts.
Boost Engagement at Every Stage
Sparking valuable discussion takes more than a strong agenda. It requires a plan for how attendees will connect, share and keep the conversation going from start to finish. Here are a few ways to make that happen:
- Before: Send questions on the topics and themes to spark thinking and build anticipation. Introduce participants to one another to create networking opportunities before the discussion begins.
- During: Guide conversations that encourage sharing practical experiences and uncovering pain points.
- After: Follow up with summaries of key takeaways, reports, case studies and other resources that build on the event content and position your organization as a continuing source of value.
A well-designed roundtable does not end when the session wraps. Thoughtful follow-up keeps your organization in the conversation and turns a single event into an ongoing relationship.
Whether you are new to hosting or looking to strengthen your approach, these strategies help ensure your roundtables provide meaningful value for leaders while advancing your own goals.
The American Hospital Association (AHA) offers a variety of ways for health care solutions providers that share our vision to get involved. Backed by the trust and reputation of the AHA, we help companies connect with highly engaged hospital and health system leaders around the challenges and opportunities that matter most. Whether it’s executive roundtables, webinars, podcasts, lead generation programs or national conferences, we open the door to the right decision-makers. And the best part? We handle all the logistics, so you can focus on what truly matters: sharing your expertise and forming genuine connections.
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