Spring Meeting

LPA Spring Meeting
April 20-22, 2026
Francis Marion Hotel
Charleston, South Carolina

View the final list of registered attendees here. 

As the LPA Spring Meeting came to a close, one message came through with absolute clarity: this wasn’t about keeping up—it was about stepping forward.

From the venture capital lens on AI in product design and manufacturing, to Rich Brooks translating artificial intelligence from buzzword to business advantage, to Jessica Hartman connecting cutting-edge science to real-world application, and Venable LLP grounding us in the policy landscape shaping our future—every session reinforced the same truth: the pace of change isn’t slowing, and neither can we.

And then, Chris Champlin brought it home.

Because beyond strategy, technology, and market insight, the real differentiator is leadership—human, adaptable, and purpose-driven. His message made it clear: growth isn’t just about innovation; it’s about connection, resilience, and the willingness to evolve when it matters most.

This Spring Meeting wasn’t just a gathering. It was a shift in mindset. 

Thank you to all who attended and contributed to the conversation. We hope you left not only with actionable insights and practical tools, but also with new connections that will continue to strengthen and shape our community moving forward. 

Check out www.lpanet.org/handouts to view the available speaker presentations, final attendee list, and more. 

Not a member and want to learn more? Visit www.lpanet.org/join and fill out your membership application today!

SAMPLE Schedule for
2027 LPA Spring Meeting
May 3-5, 2027
Hilton Old Town Alexandria
Alexandria, VA,

Monday, May 3
6:00-8:00 PM           Welcome Reception

Tuesday, May 4
6:00-7:30 AM           Morning Meet-Up, sponsored by the Women's Forum Committee
7:30-9:15 AM           Breakfast/registration
9:15 AM - 4:00 PM   General Session
11:30-1:00 PM         Networking Lunch
2:00-2:15 PM           Break
5:00-7:30 PM           Reception & Dinner

Wednesday, May 5
7:30-8:30 AM           Breakfast 
8:30-11:30 AM         General Session
11:00-11:15 AM       Break
11:30 PM                  Meeting Adjourns            

ABOUT THE OPTIONAL OUTINGs

Morning Meet-Up
Tuesday, May 4
6:00-7:30am
Optional Event: FREE

All LPA Members can participate in the Morning Meet-Up, sponsored by the LPA Women's Forum Committee. This events allows members to start their day with a sunrise walk with fellow members. Open to men and women, enjoy an hour of walking together, followed by a complimentary beverage of your choice back at the hotel, compliments of the LPA Women's Forum Committee!

About the Speakers


REGULATORY & LEGISLATIVE UPDATE from Venable LLP will include:

Deepti Loharikar
Senior Policy Advisor
Venable LLP

About Deepti

Deepti Loharikar is both a trained attorney and an accomplished healthcare policy strategist with deep experience guiding clients on federal regulatory strategy, agency engagement, and emerging health policy trends. Deepti brings a cross-HHS perspective shaped by her work at both the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), where she led Affordable Care Act implementation efforts for rural communities, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), where she developed oversight and compliance strategies for the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP) Program.

Before joining Venable, Deepti served in senior leadership roles at national healthcare associations. She directed federal regulatory strategy for a leading national association focused on behavioral health and substance use disorder policy, where she founded and chaired the organization’s Policy Council, led its regulatory platform, and represented members in high-level engagements with federal agencies and coalitions. She also served as director of federal and state public policy for a major national healthcare trade association, where she guided multi-state advocacy initiatives, shaped federal legislation, and developed policy positions across pharmacy practice, privacy, and healthcare access.

Drawing on experience as a former healthcare attorney, a federal health policy official, and an association leader, Deepti provides clients with strategic, forward-looking guidance to help them navigate regulatory change, shape agency priorities, and advance their policy objectives.

Aaron Muench
Senior Legislative Policy Analyst
Venable LLP

About Aaron

Aaron Muench is an experienced advisor who brings several years of health policy and foreign government experience to clients. Aaron provides a variety of clients with strategic analysis of legislative policy developments on Capitol Hill. Since graduating from Lafayette College and prior to joining Venable, Aaron has advised leading global pharmaceutical companies on strategies to increase vaccination uptake rates in a variety of markets and various foreign government ministries on a variety of geopolitically focused public policy strategies.

Jim Twaddell
Senior Policy Advisor
Venable LLP

Senior Policy Advisor of the 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.

Tim Ursprung
Policy Advisor
Venable LLP

About Tim

Tim Ursprung is a skilled advisor who brings nearly a decade of Capitol Hill and government relations experience to his clients. Tim develops and executes targeted advocacy and lobbying strategies to help his clients adjust to public policy developments and comply with ever-changing regulatory requirements. Prior to joining Venable, Tim worked as the vice president of federal legislative affairs at a lobbying firm, where he represented client interests before members of Congress and administration officials. Before the private sector, Tim worked in Congress for six years, where he advised then U.S. representative Peter T. King, who served as a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee.

Not sure what to expect? Click the picture below for pictures of past LPA meetings on our Facebook Page.
 
Can't wait to see your colleagues again? Click the picture below for pictures from past LPA meetings on our Facebook Page.