
Agenda
Focusing on driving progress in the travel health insurance, medical, and assistance sectors, the ITIC agenda is designed to encourage collaboration, promote best practices, and support industry learning. This is the go-to place to explore expert-led panel sessions, connect through social events, and stay at the forefront of industry developments.
Explore the Speakers28 February 2026
saturday
10:00 – 13:00
Meeting point: Hotel lobbySocial tour: whale watching adventure
Witness the beauty and grace of humpback whales in the wild from up close on our whale watching tour in Puerto Vallarta! Capture incredible photos and lasting memories as we cruise through Banderas Bay, where we’ll witness the awe-inspiring grandiosity of 40ft humpback whales surfacing from the waters of this beautiful bay. Relax aboard as you watch the whales breach, dive, and show off their flukes on this small group guided excursion!
15:00 – 16:00
Meeting point: Hotel lobbyHospital tour: Hospital Joya Marina Vallarta
Enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour at Hospital Joya Marina Vallarta. This fast-paced 20-minute walkthrough offers a glimpse into our state-of-the-art facilities and how world-class care is delivered.
Explore critical care areas including the Emergency Room, Shock Trauma Room, ICU, and Operating Theatres, followed by specialised units such as the NICU/PICU and Blood Bank.
The tour also highlights key diagnostic and patient spaces like the Imaging Department, private patient suites, and the Solarium. Along the way, our medical team will share insights into our advanced technology and clinical operations.
All visits subject to availability and patient privacy.
17:30 – 19:00
Meeting point: Hotel lobbyITIC Football Game – co-sponsored by Joya Hospital & WMMS
Join us for a relaxed football session focused on having fun, staying active, and enjoying the game. All skill levels are welcome, whether you play every week, just want to kick the ball around, or prefer to come and cheer the teams on.
After the game, we’ll celebrate together on the pitch with traditional Mexican cacao and drinks. Please let us know if you’d like to join the game
01 March 2026
sunday
10:00 – 14:00
Meeting point: Hotel lobbyHospital tour: Hospiten Puerto Vallarta
Join us for a tour of Hospiten Puerto Vallarta facilities. Located between the International Airport and Marina Vallarta, the hospital stands out for its focus on personalised care and high-quality service, following international medical protocols and adapting to the needs of both the local population and international visitors. You will gain insight at best, and the most extensive medical services and equipment. From Cardiology and Paediatrics to Cosmetic Surgery and Urology, their list of services is extensive and equipped to handle any medical issue.
13:00 – 17:00
Meeting point: Hotel lobbyOld Town walking tour – sponsored by ASA
Join your local host ASSISTANCE SERVICES OF THE AMERICAS (ASA) to discover the heart and soul of Puerto Vallarta on a captivating Old Town walking tour through its cobblestone streets, colourful colonial buildings, and vibrant local markets. Stroll along the famous Malecón to admire stunning ocean views, the skyline of the bay, and public art.
Visit landmarks like Plaza de Armas and the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, as well as the Cuale Market and Isla Cuales old Tequila Distillery, and cross the bridge over the Cuale River to reach Playa Muertos and end the tour at its pier, a highlight of the Romantic Zone. Along the way, uncover the city’s rich history, hidden gems, and authentic Mexican culture. Perfect for all attendees wishing to truly experience the city’s magic.
14:30 – 17:30
Meeting point: Hotel lobbyAir Ambulance tour: Airlink Air Ambulance
Experience the capabilities of AirLink Ambulance by visiting one of their trusted aircraft, designed for high-stakes missions. Based out of Guadalajara, AirLink is the only EURAMI-accredited air ambulance provider in Mexico and has completed over 3,000 successful missions worldwide. AirLink Ambulance offers bedside-to-bedside air ambulance transport and commercial medical escorts all year round. Join us for this unique opportunity to explore their fully equipped aircraft, featuring state-of-the-art intensive care units that ensure the highest level of patient care.
15:00 – 17:00
Foyer and exhibition areaEarly conference registration – sponsored by Nicklaus Children's Hospital
Pick up your badge and begin networking right away! Early registration is the perfect opportunity to ease into ITIC Americas and start expanding your network from the get-go.
18:00 – 21:00
Carreta GardenITIC Americas Welcome Party – co-sponsored by CMQ Hospitals and Redbridge
A night of fiesta at ITIC Americas 2026! Join us for another iconic celebration – Latin America style – set against the stunning ocean backdrop of the Carreta Garden at the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort. Join us for a vibrant evening filled with the rich culture, entertainment, and the bold flavours of Mexico. With the rhythmic sounds of waves in the background, enjoy an unforgettable night of celebration – reconnecting with old friends and making new connections in the spirit of a true fiesta.
02 March 2026
monday
07:30 – 08:15
Meeting point: Hilton LobbyITIC Americas Running Club – sponsored by Hospitales Puerta de Hierro
Rise, shine, and run along the coastline! Join Hospitales Puerta de Hierro for a light, refreshing run through the streets of Puerto Vallarta before reaching the stunning Malecon Boardwalk. The ITIC Americas Running Club is suitable for all abilities. Sign up and join the fun!
08:15 – 09:00
Meeting point: Hotel lobbyMorning yoga
Join Jenny Suno Wu from SkyCare Global to ease into the day with a rejuvenating morning yoga session, set against the soothing sound of ocean waves. This peaceful start will leave you refreshed, focused, and energised – setting the perfect tone for a day of meaningful conversations, connections, and networking.
08:30 – 09:30
Foyer and exhibition areaRegistration and networking coffee – sponsored by Nicklaus Children's Hospital
Start your first full day at ITIC Americas with coffee and refreshments, collect your badge, and mingle with attendees and exhibitors before the sessions begin.
09:30 – 11:00
AmapolaPanel: Healthcare in Latin America – costs, quality and transparency
With high numbers of tourists and expatriates heading to Latin American destinations, providing them with access to good-quality healthcare at a reasonable cost is more important than ever. Our experts will consider what the primary challenges are for visitors to LatAm who need medical care, looking at local healthcare system availability, quality measurements, and billing accuracy. Presenters will share how insurers can enhance healthcare access for travellers in Mexico by establishing partnerships with accredited local providers and telehealth providers, thereby creating a reliable network that ensures immediate access to care.
Speakers:
11:00 – 11:30
Foyer and exhibition areaNetworking coffee break – sponsored by Nemours Children's Health
Take a moment to have a drink and connect with fellow attendees and exhibitors.
11:30 – 13:00
AmapolaPanel: How can artificial intelligence enhance the travel insurance customer experience?
There are myriad ways in which AI is affecting the travel insurance ecosystem, from that initial customer touch point, through sales, and all the way to settling claims. Learning from industry peers is key to ongoing progress for travel insurance professionals, which this session offers in abundance. We will look at how conversational AI is changing customer service interactions, how sales are being maximised, and how claims systems are being optimised for operational efficiency through the careful and considered application of AI technology, balanced with the need for human intervention.
Speakers:
13:00 – 14:30
Foyer and exhibition areaNetworking lunch – sponsored by Nemours Children's Health
Enjoy lunch while connecting with friends old and new! It’s an opportunity to engage with industry peers, share insights, and explore potential collaborations.
14:30 – 16:00
AmapolaPanel: The value of accreditation, from hospitals to air ambulances – safety, confidence, standards and quality assurance
This session is an opportunity to ask whether accreditation still serves as a reliable proxy for ongoing quality, and how payers can use it as a benchmark to ascertain quality among unknown providers. The wide-ranging discussion will consider both hospital accreditation and air medical transport quality, looking at how accreditation affects payer decisions regarding network inclusion and reimbursement rates; the challenges associated with obtaining and maintaining accreditation; and what happens when certified providers fall short.
Speakers:
16:30 – 17:30
Foyer and exhibition areaITIC Happy Hour – sponsored by Common Spirit
The sessions may be over, but the fun isn’t! Join us for cocktails and connect with our incredible exhibitors over a drink.
17:30 – 20:30
Meeting point: Hotel lobbyHospital tour: CMQ Riviera Nayarit
Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Hospital CMQ Riviera Nayarit, one of the region’s leading private medical centres for international patients. Your experience begins on a double-decker bus, with open-air coastal views, and a guide who will share insights into the region’s history, culture and tourism as you travel to the hospital.
At the hospital, you’ll explore a facility designed to meet global medical and insurance standards, including the 24/7 Emergency Department, the region’s most complete ICU, and a high-tech imaging suite with CT, MRI and interventional capabilities. You’ll also see patient-centred workflows that support both locals and visiting travellers. Led by departmental experts, you’ll gain a clear understanding of CMQ’s operational model and its experience managing complex cases for international partners, ending the tour with a Cocktails & canapés reception at the rooftop terrace, where you will have the chance to mingle with CMQ leadership. The return trip features music and a light, enjoyable atmosphere to end the tour on a memorable note.
03 March 2026
tuesday
07:30 – 08:15
Meeting point: Hilton LobbyITIC Americas Running Club – sponsored by Hospitales Puerta de Hierro
Start your day with a light run in historic Puerto Vallarta and the iconic Malecon Boardwalk! The ITIC Americas Running Club is suitable for all abilities. Sign up and join the fun.
08:15 – 09:15
Meeting point: Hotel lobbyReconnect Breath with Kevin Connelly
Kevin Connelly is a breathwork expert, author, and founder of Reconnect Breath, whose approach blends modern technology with ancient wisdom. This session consists of a 15-minute talk to explain the importance of using your breath for emotional management and why cold exposure is such a great tool for building resilience. Then he will move to a 15-minute breathwork session, followed by participants doing three minutes in the ice bath or alternatively a yoga/qigong practice.
This session explores the importance of mindfulness and breath to overcome recurring patterns and behaviours. It will offer a unique perspective on how participants can create more time, creativity, and passion for what they do by simply using their body and mind.
08:30 – 09:30
Foyer and exhibition areaRegistration and networking coffee – sponsored by Nicklaus Children's Hospital
Grab a coffee and visit the exhibitors before the sessions begin.
09:30 – 10:30
AmapolaPanel: The psychology and reality of travel insurance fraud
Firstly, this session will look at real case reviews of travel insurance fraud, looking at the markers that serve as red flags to insurers’ systems, and then the investigations that uncovered the scale and scope of the crime. A balance of technological innovation and human expertise offers the best chance of identifying and stopping fraudulent claims from customers and providers.
Secondly, we consider the psychological motives behind fraud – why do people think that insurance is a soft target, what motivates people to actually commit this crime, and why do people fall for fraudulent schemes? An expert in the psychology of fraud shares his perspective.
Speakers:
10:30 – 11:00
AmapolaSpeaker: Outbound travel trends in LATAM and the impact of geopolitical change
Local expertise will guide our audience through the latest in and outbound travel trends in LatAm, offering real insight into where assistance companies need to enhance their presence and expand the breadth of their medical networks. Geopolitical events continue to have ripple effects around the world. How exposed are travellers in LatAm to these ever-increasing threats, and how can these risks be predicted and mitigated?
11:00 – 11:30
Foyer and exhibition areaNetworking coffee break
Get refreshed and take a moment to chat with fellow attendees and exhibitors.
11:30 – 13:00
AmapolaMedical Directors’ Forum: Mental Health in Travel: Expanding the Scope of Assistance (hosted by Dr Salvador Belilty, Logimedex)
Always a popular session at ITIC Global, the Medical Directors’ Forum is now being introduced to ITIC Americas for the first time in 2026. Meaningful dialogue in a peer-to-peer setting can bring real change for our industry, and the MDF is the prime setting for transforming medical assistance responses.
Mental health cover and assistance requirements remain underrepresented in many travel health and insurance frameworks. A focused session will allow medical assistance companies the chance to highlight particularly challenging cases of this nature and engage with colleagues about solutions and best practices in the Americas region. With input from a cruise specialist, assistance company and air medical transport operator, this session will delve deep into the needs of travellers in LatAm, examining whether or not the industry is truly prepared to deal with the problems that travellers are experiencing when they suffer a mental health emergency.
Speakers:
13:00 – 14:30
Foyer and exhibition areaNetworking lunch
Slow down, recharge, and let the conversations flow over a delicious meal.
14:30 – 16:00
AmapolaProvider Network Forum: Strengthening the carrier-service provider relationship (hosted by Laura Hilton, Fairmount International)
This interactive and entertaining session, another first for ITIC Americas, will focus on payment efficiency, transparency, and long-term collaboration. On the table for discussion will be the creation of ‘legacy networks’ or ‘inner circles’ of trusted, high-performing providers. Engaging them as operational partners rather than vendors can drive mutual accountability, elevate communication, and enhance case management, service delivery, and quality assurance. Other discussion points will consider why adversarial dynamics persist – and how they hurt outcomes; understanding each side’s pressures: operational costs versus cost containment goals; and the role of transparency in pricing and care quality.
Speakers:
19:00 – 23:00
Daiquiri Dick'sITIC Americas Farewell Party – co-sponsored by Joya Hospital & MedBrick Inc.
Prepare to shine at ITIC Americas 2026! Gather with friends old and new for an unforgettable evening of celebration, dancing, and toasts as we say goodbye to one of Latin America’s most breathtaking coastal destinations. Join the festivities by the sea, celebrate the achievements of the past few days, and make this final night in paradise truly unforgettable!
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