Annual Meeting
2026 LPA Annual Meeting
NOVEMBER 1-3, 2026
THE LODGE AT TORREY PINES
LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA
Sample sCHEDULE
Sunday, November 1
6:00- 8:00 AM LPA Women's Forum sponsored Morning Meet-Up
8:00 AM-2:00 PM Golf Tournament (optional, on-site)
11:00 AM-2:00 PM Optional Outing (optional, off-site)
6:00-9:00 PM Opening Reception & Dinner
Monday, November 2
7:30-9:00 AM Open Networking Breakfast
9:00 AM-4:00 PM General Session
6:00-6:30 PM LPA Women's Forum Trivia at the Reception
6:00-9:00 PM Reception & Dinner
Tuesday, November 3
7:30-8:30 AM Open Networking Breakfast
8:30-11:30 AM General Session
11:30 AM Meeting Adjourns
12:00-1:00 PM Optional Outing
About the Hotel
About the Speakers
Connor Lokar
Economic Consulting Speaker
Senior Manager
ITR Economics
Domestic & Global Economic Outlook
About Connor
Few young economists present their insights with the authority, accuracy, and humor that Connor Lokar brings to the stage. From the intimate executive retreat to the standing room-only keynote, he delivers with charm and candor, rousing and enlightening all who attend his talks.
As a millennial, Connor brings a new perspective to the world of economics, delivering ITR’s industry-leading accuracy to current C-suite executives while forging connections with the next generation of business leaders.
Connor specializes in construction but consults and presents to businesses across all industries, helping them grow revenue and remain profitable through an everchanging business cycle.
Jim Twaddell
Senior Policy Advisor
Venable LLP
Regulatory & Legislative Update
Senior Policy Advisor of the newly appointed Government Affairs consulting firm Venable LLP, Jim will provide a robust, bipartisan presentation with political insights and strategies on how to navigate the federal government.
About Jim
Jim Twaddell leverages an in-depth understanding of the processes and politics that drive decision-making in Washington, DC to develop and execute effective government relations agendas and campaigns. An experienced lobbyist at the federal level and a former senior staffer in the U.S. Senate, Jim skillfully navigates legislative issues related to healthcare policy, federal appropriations funding, grassroots initiatives, and advocacy training.
In the healthcare space, Jim represents the interests of hospitals and health systems, nonprofit voluntary health organizations, physicians, and allied health professional societies, and provides strategic counsel on legislative, regulatory policy, political, and advocacy issues. He directly engages members of Congress and their staff to advance authorization legislation, secure increased federal appropriations funding, and work with federal agencies on regulatory policies. Jim previously worked as the associate director of government affairs at a national organization for academic nursing. He acted as the lead lobbyist for appropriations, healthcare policy, higher education, and veterans’ affairs issues.
Jim also served as the deputy director of communications and a legislative aide to U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), playing a key role in shaping the senator’s legislative and political strategy. He managed daily communication and coordination of policy issues with Senator Specter’s personal office staff; the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittees; and the Senate Veteran’s Affairs Committee, on which Senator Specter served as chairman.
Josh Waldman, phd, mba
Life Science Tools & Diagnostics Analyst, Partner
Cleveland Research Company
Life Sciences Update Roundtable
Gain clarity on where the life sciences market is heading and how to stay ahead of the tide with an interactive and informative roundtable discussion with industry leaders.
About Josh
Josh is currently a Research Associate at the research firm, Cleveland Research Company (CRC) where he and his team are responsible for coverage of the Life Science, Managed Care and Ophthalmology industries. Prior to CRC, Josh held a business development position at Forest Labs (now Allergan) in addition to working with several early-stage biotech start-ups where he held both business development and benchtop research positions.
Josh holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences with a focus on transplantation immunology, and an MBA from the University of Toledo. He completed his undergraduate work in biochemistry at Bowling Green State University. He currently lives in Pepper Pike, OH with his wife Erin and daughter Charlotte.
About the Optional Outings
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LPA Women's Forum sponsored Morning Meet-up
Sunday, November 1, 6:00-8:00 AM
FREE!
All attendees are encouraged to participate in the LPA Women’s Forum sponsored Morning Meet-Up! Attendees will meet at 6:00 AM to walk/run together or at your own pace, and then enjoy a beverage together from 7:00-8:00 AM.
LPA Annual Meeting Golf Tournament
Sunday, November 1, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
LPA Women's Forum sponsored trivia
November 2, 6:00-6:30 PM
FREE
The LPA Women's Forum sponsored Trivia event will begin at 6:00 PM this year and will begin at the start of the evening reception. You will be encouraged to form teams ahead of time, as well as have your phones ready to participate in this trivia via Mentimeter! Good luck!!
Not sure what to expect? Click the picture below for pictures of past LPA meetings on our Facebook Page.
