CAPACon is CAPA’s annual Southern California conference for general medicine and specialty PAs. Held September 25–27, 2026 at the stunning Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas, this dynamic 2.5-day event will feature clinical lectures, hands-on workshops, the CAPA Careers Expo, and a dedicated PA Student track.

Back by popular demand, we’re excited to return to the Palm Springs area to host this special edition of CAPACon as we celebrate CAPA’s 50th Anniversary! This milestone year will be filled with nostalgic moments, special activities, and celebrations that honor our mission, reflect on our accomplishments, and spotlight our vision for the future of the PA profession in California.

Join us for an unforgettable experience as we come together to learn, connect, and celebrate 50 years of CAPA!

Attendees can earn up to 11 CME credits in-person and will have the entire digital library of lectures available online after the conference to earn the remaining possible number of credits (19 available credits total, not including any add-on workshops).

Conference Registration Fees

Your Registration Includes:

• All 19 accredited lectures + on-demand access to session recordings for one month following the conference
• All branded breakfast and lunch presentations
• Full access to pre-conference industry lectures and workshops
• Entry to the exhibit hall
• Eligibility to participate in conference raffles
• Access to academic poster presentations
• Student Challenge Bowl

Special 50th Anniversary Events:

• Game Show: PA Experts vs. AI Face-Off (Friday, September 25th at 5:00 PM), where CAPA’s Professional Practice Committee takes on AI using real-world, member-submitted questions
• 50th Anniversary Awards & After-Party (Saturday, September 26th at 7:00 PM)

Program Schedule

CAPACon's lecture tracks in general medicine and professional practice are tailored not only to enhance your clinical expertise but also to equip you with the necessary skills for navigating the business aspects of medical practice.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2026 PROGRAM

Please note, that speakers, workshops, and lectures are subject to change without notice.

Add-On Technique Workshops

Workshop Registration: To attend a workshop, add it to your registration when registering for CAPACon. Already registered? Email Alyssa at alyssa@capanet.org to add a workshop to your registration.

Friday (9/25/2026) 8:00AM – 12:00PM

Wave of the Future: Ultrasound for Everyday Practice (Ultrasound Basics) (4.0 CME Add-On)

Presented by Scott Martin, PA-C, MSPA

Member: $400

Non-Member: $900

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the Ultrasound and its functions
2. Identify what normal structures appear like for a given patient
3. Successfully identify the given structure at each station

Friday (9/25/2026) 1:30PM – 4:30PM

Advanced Surgical Wound Closure and Hemostasis WORKSHOP (3.0 CME Add-On)

Presented by Jason Fisher-Beck, MHS, PA-C

Member: $350

Non-Member: $800

Learning Objectives:

1. Review and solidify knowledge of suture and needle types and basic skin closures
2. Establish knowledge and confidence in multi-layer would closure
3. Develop foundational knowledge of active and passive hemostatic agents commonly seen in the surgical setting.

Saturday (9/26/2026) 9:00AM – 12:00PM

Musculoskeletal Injections and Joint Aspirations WORKSHOP (3.0 CME Add-On)

Presented by Eric Glassman, MHS, PA-C & Raymond Contino, PA-C

Member: $300

Non-Member: $650

Learning Objectives:

1. Review the acute inflammatory phase
2. Understand the risk and complications of injections
3. Describe the role of anesthetic agents and corticosteroids
4. Proper procedure documentation and “discharge instructions”
5. Describe anatomic landmarks and patient positioning including technical pearls with practice in hands on lab

Saturday (9/26/2026) 1:30PM – 3:30PM 

Treating Beyond the Scale: Personalized, Evidence-based Strategies for Comprehensive Management of Obesity as a Chronic Disease WORKSHOP (2.0 CME Add-On)

Presented by Christopher D. Still, DO, FACP, FTOS

Member: FREE** Registration Still Required to Attend

Non-Member: $50

Learning Objectives:

1. Summarize the rationale for treating obesity as a chronic, progressive disease that requires early intervention
2. Establish individualized weight loss targets and long-term treatment strategies for people with obesity that consider guideline recommendations and the latest evidence
3. Select appropriate pharmacotherapies for obesity management based on treatment goals, patient characteristics, and comorbidities
4. Apply shared decision-making principles to address patient concerns and support treatment adherence

Sunday (9/27/2026) 9:30AM – 12:30PM

Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) WORKSHOP (3.0 CME Add-On)

Presented by Diana Potterveld, PA-C

Member: $320

Non-Member: $700

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the basic information for history taking and patient-centered counseling on LARCs, including contraindications
2. Describe the techniques for insertion and removal of LARC options
3. Describe and show techniques for pain control options during placement
4. Practice hands-on insertion and removal techniques using real IUDs, including Kyleena, Mirena, and Paragard.

Pre-Conference Lectures & Workshops Coming Soon!

PA Student Track

Sunday, September 27, 2026
9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Designed specifically for PA students, the CAPACon PA Student Track is a hands-on learning experience focused on developing practical clinical skills and connecting with experienced Physician Associates. Participants will rotate through interactive skill stations and have the opportunity to ask questions about clinical practice, specialties, and career development.

Student Track Interactive Stations:

• Suturing
• Ultrasound: Kidney / Procedures
• Ultrasound: Musculoskeletal (MSK)
• MSK Physical Exams
• "Ask Me Anything" with an experienced PA

No advance sign-up is required. The Student Track is included with CAPACon registration for eligible PA student attendees.

CAPACon 2026 Posters 

CLICK HERE FOR THE CAPACON 2026 POSTER PROGRAM

CAPA’s room block at the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas is now sold out. For attendees who still need accommodations, CAPA has secured an overflow room block at the neighboring Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, approximately a 5-minute walk from the Grand Hyatt. See booking details below.

• Standard Room Rate: $234 per night
  • Available Wednesday, September 23 - Sunday, September 27

Please note the standard group guest room rate above includes the Daily Resort Fee of $5 (Discounted from $45).  

• Extended Room Block: The CAPACon discounted room rate has been extended and will remain available while rooms are available.
• Check In/Out Times: Check in is 4:00PM, Check out is 11:00AM
• Parking Options:
  • Self-Parking: $20 per day 
  • Self-Parking Overnight: $35 per day
  • Valet Parking: $25 (short-term) per day 
  • Valet Parking Overnight: $50 per day
• Cancellation Policy: To avoid a one night's room and tax charge, reservations must be canceled at least three (3) days prior to the scheduled arrival. 

Make sure to book early to take advantage of these discounted rates and enjoy a comfortable stay during the event!

CAPA Group Rate: CLICK HERE!

Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Room Block: SOLD OUT
The information below remains available for attendees who have already booked their stay at the Grand Hyatt.

• Standard Room Rate: $239 per night
  • Wednesday, September 23, 2026 & Thursday, September 24, 2026, are currently sold out
  • Double Occupancy: Complimentary
  • Triple Occupancy: $15
  • Quad Occupancy: $30

• Please note the standard group guest room rate above includes the Daily Resort Fee of $20 (Discounted from $45).  

• Cut-off Date: Book your room by September 3, 2026** to secure this rate.
  • **Subject to availability 
• Parking Options:
  • Self-Parking: $14 per day
  • Self-Parking Overnight: $32 per day
  • Valet Daily Rate: $17 per day
  • Valet Overnight: $47 per day
  • Valet Covered Overnight: $47 per day
  • Oversized Vehicle Parking: $32 *per stall per night
• Check In/Out Times: Check in is 4:00PM, Check out is 11:00AM
• Cancellation Policy: A minimum of 72 hours is required for all guestroom cancellations. Any cancellations within this period of time may be subject to a charge of one room night and any applicable taxes.

Make sure to book early to take advantage of these discounted rates and enjoy a comfortable stay during the event!

CAPA Group Rate: CLICK HERE!

Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas
Saturday, September 26, 2026
5:00pm-7:00pm 

44600 Indian Wells Ln, Indian Wells, CA 92210

CLICK HERE FOR IMPORTANT CHALLENGE BOWL PARKING INFORMATION

Parking is very limited. We strongly encourage you to rideshare or carpool.

• Self-Parking: A self-parking lot is located next to the Indian Wells Conference Center. The rate is $22/day for non-hotel guests and $14/day for hotel guests. Space is very limited, so please allow extra time to find parking.
• If Self-Parking Is Full: Proceed to the Hyatt Valet area, where they will honor the same self-parking rate.
• If Valet Is Full: Additional parking may be available at the Renaissance parking lot or the overflow employee lot next to the Miramonte Spa (expect to walk across the street and up to the conference center)

Please plan accordingly and allow additional time for parking before heading to the event.

On Saturday, September 26th, we will host CAPA’s annual Student Challenge Bowl which brings together California PA programs in a medical trivia competition to compete for the prestigious title. As in previous years, each PA school will assign a Team Captain and two other Team Members to represent their schools. Teams will face off against each other, two at a time in bracket format, culminating in a final winner. 

Conference attendees, friends, and family are all welcome and encouraged to show their support for the students and the PA schools as they compete on Saturday evening! 

Questions? Contact luz@capanet.org.

All participants must be CAPA members in good standing in order to compete. You do not need to be registered for CAPACon in order to attend or compete in the Student Challenge Bowl.

Join us for a special evening as we celebrate 50 years of CAPA at our 50th Anniversary Awards & After Party!

Taking place Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 7:00–10:00 PM at the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas, this special celebration will begin with an awards ceremony honoring outstanding members of the CAPA community, followed by an evening of food, drinks, music, dancing, and celebration!

To make our 50th Anniversary celebration even more fun, come dressed in your favorite decade from CAPA’s 50-year history! Whether you’re channeling the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, 2000s, or today, show us your best decade-inspired look. We’ll even be holding a costume contest, so come ready to celebrate in style!

Celebrating CAPA’s 50th Anniversary Award Recipients

As part of this milestone celebration, CAPA will recognize five individuals and organizations whose leadership, service, and contributions have helped shape the PA profession and CAPA community.

This year's honorees are:

• Marissa Stone, PA-C: Rising Star Award
• Jeremy Meis, PA-C: Excellence in Action Award
• Rodney Moser, PA-C: Legacy Award
• Johnson & Johnson: Alliance Champion Award
• Southern California University of Health Sciences: PA Program Trailblazer Award

Help us celebrate this year’s honorees with a 50th Anniversary Tribute Ad! For just $35, you can submit a personalized message of up to 50 words recognizing an award recipient. Tribute ads will be featured as part of the 50th Anniversary Awards & After-Party celebration.

To purchase a tribute ad, email Alyssa at alyssa@capanet.org.

Please note: A ticket to the Awards & After Party is included with Full Conference Registration. Attendees registered for the full conference do not need to purchase a separate ticket. For guests who are not registered for the full conference, a separate Awards & After Party ticket is required to attend.

We can’t wait to celebrate this incredible milestone with you! Join us for an unforgettable evening honoring CAPA’s past, celebrating its present, and looking ahead to the future of the PA profession in California.

**Individual Ticket Price: $95 per ticket 

Individual Tickets Available HERE

Destination Activity Coming Soon!

This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 34 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. Approval is valid from 9/25/2026 to 9/27/2026. AAPA reference number: CME-2016029.

2026 is CAPA’s 50^th Anniversary!

We cannot wait to celebrate with PAs and leading healthcare organizations like yours! We have some activities planned within CAPACon that will be exclusive to the 50th Anniversary Year. To discuss these or work with CAPA on some customized engagement/visibility, please contact Teresa Chien at teresa@capanet.org.

CAPACon 2026 Sponsorship Prospectus