From Marketing to the Main Floor: My First HCD Adventure

After a year of working in the marketing department at Construction Specialties, where I wrote for, advertised, and promoted trade shows, my boss decided it was time for me to experience the excitement of HealthCare Design firsthand. A ticket to the premier healthcare design industry show? How could I not be thrilled!

On October 26th, some colleagues and I flew to Kansas City, Missouri, for the first day of the HealthCare Design Conference & Expo. The weather was cold and dreary, but that didn’t dampen my enthusiasm. As we walked into the Conference Center, I felt excited and curious. What would the show floor look like? Who would I meet? After signing in at the registration table and riding the escalator up to the exhibit hall, the buzz hit me immediately: lively chatter, bright displays, and the unmistakable energy of innovation.

CS has been participating in HCD for over 16 years, so I knew I would be in good hands with my colleagues, who have attended in the past. It was an energizing few days filled with connecting with industry peers, partners, and customers, showcasing new CS products and highlighting the heart of our mission: People. Buildings. Better. 

With more than 250 exhibitors, the expo hall was a design lover’s dream. We walked for hours each day (I hit 21,000 steps on the first day!), trying to absorb as much as possible. So, what stood out?

Top Trends on the Show Floor

Healthcare design is evolving rapidly, and HCD 2025 showcased some exciting themes:

• Technology & Outpatient Care: Exploring the evolution of tech in healthcare design and prototyping the “clinic of the future” to optimize patient and provider flows using integrated computer systems and mobile solutions.
• Behavioral Health: A strong push toward creating healing environments that support mental health and well-being through calming visuals and lounge-worthy furniture
• Privacy Solutions: Innovative designs for patient confidentiality and flexible workspaces. (Spoiler: more on this below.)
• Residential Meets Commercial: Continued movement toward blending home-like comfort with functional
• Healthcare interiors with design-forward spaces that erase that sterile vibe (while remaining easily cleanable, of course)

And one trend we couldn’t ignore? Acoustics. Everywhere we turned, we saw and heard (or, rather, didn’t hear) solutions designed to reduce noise and enhance comfort. One standout: acoustic meeting pods—a clever way to create private, quiet spaces in busy environments. We even performed a demonstration of our own acoustic product, HUSH Curtain®. HUSH Curtains provide privacy by incorporating proprietary acoustic panels that help absorb and block sound. This is an excellent product within the healthcare space, especially when discussing private matters with the medical team; we do not want the whole hospital or our neighbor to be able to listen in! For more on HUSH, check out our website.

Day two was a big moment for us! Our very own Trish Hershey, Senior Product Specialist, and Anthony Peachey, Director of Marketing, took center stage at the Solutions Theater to introduce our new platform: Virtual Spaces.

This immersive tool enables users to explore 3D environments, sparking their imagination and helping them visualize real solutions for healthcare facilities. The buzz was incredible; the theater was packed, with attendees standing around to catch the presentation.

Want to see what all the excitement was about? Check it out here.

I could go on and on about the cool products and the high level of innovation at HCD, but what I’m really hoping for is to see you there next year. It was an unforgettable experience, especially for a first-timer like me—and I’m already counting down to HCD 2026!