Digestive Disease Week - DDW
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About this event
Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2026
Digestive Disease Week (DDW) is described as the premier global meeting for gastrointestinal (GI) professionals, bringing together experts in gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy, and gastrointestinal surgery. DDW 2026 is presented as “Discovery at Every Turn,” designed to support immersive learning, meaningful professional connections, and the exchange of new clinical and research insights.
DDW 2026 takes place in Chicago, IL, United States and is also offered online. The event dates are May 2–5, 2026.
The program is positioned around advancing digestive health through scientific sessions and professional networking with a worldwide community of thought leaders and peers. Attendees can also engage with educational and conference resources, including access to DDW’s mobile app and desktop planner, options related to CME claiming and certificate attendance, and the availability of digital posters through ePosters.
DDW is also presented as a place to explore ongoing developments across every avenue of the GI and hepatology field, with opportunities to connect beyond familiar professional circles. The meeting supports both discovery of breakthroughs and continued learning through conference content, online access, and extended post-event resources.
Data sheet
Digestive Disease Week - DDW – Event Attendee & Buyer Profile Analysis
Event Date: May 2–5, 2026
Location: Chicago, IL, United States & Online
Event Status: Completed
Research Date: July 1, 2026
Event Overview
| Event Name | Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) |
| Event Date | May 2–5, 2026 |
| Event Status | Completed |
| Venue | Not specified in the official homepage text provided; event shown as “Chicago, IL & Online.” |
| City | Chicago |
| State / Region | Illinois |
| Country | United States |
| Organizer | Digestive Disease Week / DDW partner societies (as presented on the official site) |
| Official Event Website | ddw.org |
| Event Type | International medical congress / scientific conference / industry exhibition |
| Primary Category | Medical & Pharma |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Science & Research; Business Services; IT & Technology |
| Audience Reach | Global |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Medium for event positioning; low for exact attendance count because the organizer homepage excerpt does not publish a verified figure. |
| Main Purpose of Event | To convene GI professionals, researchers, and industry partners for scientific education, clinical updates, research presentation, networking, and industry engagement across gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy, and gastrointestinal surgery. |
About the Event
Digestive Disease Week (DDW) is a major scientific and commercial meeting for the digestive health market, bringing together clinicians, researchers, educators, and life science industry participants focused on gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy, and gastrointestinal surgery. The official site positions DDW as a global meeting with education, abstracts, poster sessions, industry participation, and CME-related engagement.
From a B2B and procurement perspective, DDW is important because it attracts decision-makers and influencers from hospitals, academic medical centers, specialty practices, medical device firms, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare services. The event is relevant for lead generation, product education, clinical innovation, device commercialization, sponsorship sales, speaker outreach, and buyer profiling across the digestive health ecosystem.
1. Who Attends: Buyers / Attendees
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gastroenterologists / Hepatologists | Hospitals, academic medical centers, specialty practices, GI groups | Clinical decision-makers, product evaluators, protocol influencers | High interest in diagnostics, endoscopy, therapeutics, and clinical education |
| Endoscopy Leaders | Endoscopy centers, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers | Equipment selection, technology assessment, procedure workflow decisions | Strong fit for scopes, imaging, accessories, reprocessing, and workflow solutions |
| Hospital Procurement / Sourcing Teams | Health systems, hospitals, IDNs, outpatient networks | Vendor qualification, contracting, capital purchases, supply standardization | Relevant for capital equipment, disposables, service contracts, and clinical supplies |
| GI Surgery / Clinical Program Leaders | Academic centers, hospitals, specialty institutes | Influence on treatment pathways, technology adoption, and clinical partnerships | Useful for advanced devices, OR-adjacent tools, and procedural innovation |
| Research Scientists / Translational Researchers | Universities, research institutes, pharma and biotech R&D | Study design influence, assay/platform evaluation, trial partnerships | Relevant for diagnostics, biomarkers, lab tools, and research services |
| Pharma / Biotech Medical Affairs | Drug manufacturers, biotech firms, CRO-adjacent teams | Scientific exchange, KOL engagement, evidence generation | High relevance for therapeutics, trials, publications, and advisory boards |
| Practice Administrators / Operations Leaders | GI practices, hospital departments, ambulatory clinics | Operational purchasing, vendor coordination, workflow optimization | Relevant for scheduling, imaging, billing, patient engagement, and efficiency tools |
| Healthcare Executives / Department Chairs | Health systems, academic medical centers, specialty departments | Strategic investment, service-line growth, vendor approval | Important for enterprise-level selling and partnership development |
| Association Leaders / Society Staff | Medical societies, professional associations, education groups | Program shaping, education sponsorship, community-building | Useful for sponsorship sales, content partnerships, and event marketing |
| Media / Medical Communications | Healthcare publishers, trade media, scientific communications firms | Content amplification, industry coverage, PR value | Relevant for launches, thought leadership, and visibility campaigns |
2. Event Location and Attendee Geographic Origin
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host city: Chicago | Local hospitals, universities, specialty groups, and vendors | High | Major healthcare and convention-market hub with strong regional draw |
| Host state / region: Illinois and Midwest | Medical centers, GI practices, device firms, and pharma organizations from the Midwest | High | Strong concentration of healthcare buyers within short-haul travel range |
| Nearby business hubs | Chicago metro, Indianapolis, Detroit, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Minneapolis | Medium to High | Accessible for hospital systems, distributors, and suppliers serving the region |
| National reach | U.S. GI specialists, academic centers, and healthcare industry teams | Very High | DDW is positioned as the premier U.S. meeting for GI professionals |
| International reach | Global clinicians, researchers, sponsors, and industry partners | High | Official site language identifies DDW as a global meeting with worldwide community participation |
| Trade corridor relevance | U.S. healthcare distribution, medtech sales, pharma commercialization corridors | High | Useful for national account selling and channel partner meetings |
3. Audience Reach
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Global | Primary classification | The official homepage describes DDW as the premier meeting in the world for GI professionals and references a worldwide community. |
4. Sample Buyer Companies and Websites
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayo Clinic | Health system / academic medical center | Large GI program and enterprise purchasing potential for clinical, research, and digital solutions | mayoclinic.org | Chief Procurement Officer, Director of GI, Clinical Operations Director, Purchasing Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Cleveland Clinic | Health system / specialty hospital network | High-value buyer for GI devices, endoscopy workflow tools, and research services | clevelandclinic.org | Procurement Director, GI Service Line Leader, VP Clinical Operations, Sourcing Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Mass General Brigham | Health system | Multi-site buying power across GI care, research, and specialty services | massgeneralbrigham.org | Director of Procurement, GI Program Director, Clinical Purchasing Lead, Research Operations Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Johns Hopkins Medicine | Academic medical center | Research-driven buyer with strong interest in innovative GI technologies and studies | hopkinsmedicine.org | Medical Director, Procurement Manager, Research Director, Endoscopy Unit Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| UChicago Medicine | Academic medical center | Chicago-based healthcare organization with GI and research purchasing relevance | uchicagomedicine.org | Director of Operations, GI Division Chief, Procurement Lead, Clinical Supply Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Northwestern Medicine | Health system / academic center | Large Midwest buyer for GI clinical services, equipment, and education | northwesternmedicine.org | Director of Procurement, GI Operations Manager, Department Administrator, Sourcing Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Mount Sinai Health System | Health system | High clinical volume and research orientation make it a strong target for GI solutions | mountsinai.org | VP Procurement, GI Department Chair, Clinical Operations Director, Research Administrator | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Cedars-Sinai | Academic medical center / health system | Strong GI and research footprint with enterprise procurement potential | cedars-sinai.org | Director of Sourcing, GI Service Line Director, Endoscopy Manager, Clinical Partnerships Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| HCA Healthcare | Hospital operator / health system | National scale purchasing organization with GI service-line demand | hcahealthcare.com | Corporate Procurement Director, Clinical Supply Chain Lead, Operations VP, Category Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Ascension | Health system | Large Catholic health system with multi-site procurement and GI care needs | ascension.org | Procurement Manager, GI Program Lead, Supply Chain Director, Hospital Administrator | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| AbbVie | Pharma / biotech | Commercial and medical affairs relevance in gastroenterology and GI therapeutics | abbvie.com | Medical Affairs Director, Brand Director, KOL Engagement Lead, Market Access Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Takeda | Pharma / biotech | GI-focused commercial and scientific teams are highly relevant to DDW | takeda.com | Medical Director, Scientific Liaison, Commercial Strategy Director, Conference Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Medtronic | Medical devices | Relevant for endoscopy-adjacent tools, clinical education, and commercial partnerships | medtronic.com | Business Development Director, Product Manager, Clinical Affairs Manager, Sales Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Boston Scientific | Medical devices | GI device manufacturer with strong fit for physician education and product engagement | bostonscientific.com | Territory Manager, Product Marketing Director, Clinical Specialist Lead, Medical Affairs | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
5. Job Profiles, Industries and Event Type
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chief Procurement Officer / VP Procurement | Procurement / Supply Chain | Executive | Controls purchasing strategy for healthcare systems and large provider organizations. |
| 2 | Director of Procurement / Sourcing Manager | Procurement | Director / Manager | Evaluates vendors, contracts, capital and clinical supply purchases. |
| 3 | GI Service Line Director / Department Chair | Clinical Leadership | Director / Chair | Influences technology adoption, program strategy, and specialty partnerships. |
| 4 | Endoscopy Unit Manager / Director | Clinical Operations | Manager / Director | Owns equipment use, workflow, staffing, and service quality in endoscopy. |
| 5 | Medical Director / Clinical Director | Medical Affairs / Clinical | Director / Executive | Drives evaluation of evidence, standards, and clinical innovation. |
| 6 | Clinical Research Director / Research Administrator | Research / Clinical Trials | Director / Manager | Relevant for study partnerships, biomarkers, and translational science. |
| 7 | Business Development Director / Partnerships Director | Commercial / Partnerships | Director | Useful for sponsorship, clinical collaboration, and strategic alliances. |
| 8 | Operations Director / Practice Administrator | Operations | Director / Manager | Influences workflow, staffing, and operational purchasing in GI clinics. |
| 9 | Product Manager / Marketing Director | Product / Marketing | Manager / Director | Important for medtech, diagnostics, and pharma product promotion. |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hospital & Health Care | Core attendee base and primary buyer ecosystem | Hospitals, health systems, specialty clinics, clinical operations |
| 2 | Pharmaceuticals | DDW is highly relevant to GI drug development and medical affairs | Medical affairs, clinical development, brand teams |
| 3 | Medical Devices | Strong fit for endoscopy, diagnostics, and procedural technologies | Product, sales, clinical affairs, and commercialization teams |
| 4 | Biotechnology | Research and translational science are central to the meeting | Biomarkers, trials, companion diagnostics, research tools |
| 5 | Research | Scientific abstracts, posters, and clinical research are core DDW pillars | Academic and translational research buyers |
| 6 | Medical Practice | Specialty practices and GI groups attend for education and sourcing | Independent physicians, practice administrators, clinic owners |
| 7 | Information Technology & Services | Digital clinical tools, AI, analytics, and patient engagement are increasingly relevant | Digital health, data, interoperability, workflow software |
| 8 | Health, Wellness & Fitness | Relevant to GI prevention, patient support, and lifestyle-related care programs | Patient education, care navigation, adherence solutions |
| 9 | Management Consulting | Healthcare strategy, transformation, and commercialization support | Advisory, market entry, operating model, and growth strategy |
| 10 | Professional Training & Coaching | CME, skills development, and clinical education matter at DDW | Medical education, training platforms, certification support |
6. Estimated Attendance
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | Official homepage excerpt provided | Organizer does not publish a verified attendance number in the supplied content. |
| Exhibitor count | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | Official homepage excerpt provided | Exhibit hall is referenced, but count is not provided in the supplied text. |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | Official homepage excerpt provided | No verified buyer-total published in the supplied source text. |
| Speaker count | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | Official homepage excerpt provided | The homepage references scientific sessions and abstracts, but not a count. |
| Sponsor count | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | Official homepage excerpt provided | Industry support is referenced, but not quantified in the provided text. |
| Historical attendance | Not included here | Not used | No verified prior-year attendance figure was supplied in the source text | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
7. Key Focus Areas and Buyer Engagement
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical education | CME, best practices, peer learning | Sponsor sessions, host demos, distribute education content | Training, content marketing, educational platforms |
| Endoscopy technology | Higher precision, workflow, and imaging performance | Product theater, booth demos, surgeon/physician meetings | Scopes, accessories, imaging, reprocessing, visualization |
| Diagnostics and biomarkers | Earlier detection and better clinical insight | KOL meetings, poster sponsorship, research outreach | Assays, lab tools, companion diagnostics, biomarker services |
| GI therapeutics | Clinical evidence, market awareness, physician adoption | Medical affairs engagement, faculty sponsorship, booth meetings | Pharma products, market access support, evidence generation |
| Research collaboration | Trial support, investigator networks, data collection | Abstract sessions, investigator dinners, research meetings | CRO services, trial platforms, analytics, research ops |
| Hospital operations | Efficiency, staffing, throughput, standardization | Procurement meetings, workflow demos, admin outreach | Operations software, scheduling, analytics, supply chain tools |
| Digital health / data | AI-assisted decision support, reporting, patient engagement | Target IT and operations leaders attending the meeting | Analytics, interoperability, patient apps, AI tools |
| Commercial partnerships | KOL access, sponsorship visibility, strategic alliances | Meet industry leaders, society staff, and academic investigators | Sponsorship packages, content partnerships, event services |
Lead Quality Assessment
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | Very High | Strong concentration of clinical, procurement, research, and commercial healthcare buyers. |
| Decision-maker availability | High | Likely presence of directors, managers, physician leaders, and medical affairs executives. |
| Data collection potential | High | Good for attendee list building, exhibitor prospecting, and KOL identification, subject to registration access. |
| Apollo targeting potential | Very High | Strong fit for healthcare, pharma, medtech, research, and operations targeting by title and industry. |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | Chicago plus national and international healthcare markets offer useful segmentation. |
| Best outreach approach | High-touch, account-based | Use title-based outreach, clinical relevance messaging, and meeting/event-based follow-up. |
| Overall lead quality | Very High | DDW is a premium event for healthcare, life sciences, and specialty-care lead generation. |
| Best use case | Attendee list sales, sponsor prospecting, exhibitor targeting, KOL mapping | Ideal for B2B outreach into clinical, research, and healthcare commercial segments. |
| Limitations / risks | Moderate | Exact attendance and full participant lists were not publicly confirmed in the supplied official text. |
Apollo.io Targeting Recommendation
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Hospital & Health Care; Pharmaceuticals; Medical Devices; Biotechnology; Research; Information Technology & Services; Medical Practice; Professional Training & Coaching | Build a strong healthcare buyer pool aligned to DDW’s attendee mix. |
| Departments | Procurement, Supply Chain, Clinical, Medical Affairs, Research, Operations, Product, Marketing, Partnerships | Prioritize decision-making and influence functions. |
| Seniority | Manager, Director, VP, CXO, Physician Owner, Department Chair | Target buyers and strong influencers with budget or approval authority. |
| Job titles | Chief Procurement Officer, VP Procurement, Director of Procurement, Sourcing Manager, GI Director, Endoscopy Manager, Medical Director, Clinical Operations Director, Research Director, Product Manager | Zero in on the roles most likely to buy, evaluate, or influence vendor selection. |
| Geography | United States, Canada, Western Europe, Middle East, APAC healthcare hubs; Chicago metro for local account activation | Support both on-site activation and international account mapping. |
| Employee size | 51–200, 201–500, 501–1,000, 1,001–5,000, 5,001+ | Covers specialty practices through large health systems and global manufacturers. |
| Keywords | gastroenterology, endoscopy, hepatology, digestive health, GI, clinical research, medical affairs, procurement, supply chain, patient care, diagnostics | Capture companies and people directly aligned to the event theme. |
| Company type | Healthcare providers, medical device manufacturers, pharma/biotech, research institutions, specialty practices, hospitals, health systems | Matches the highest-probability attendee and buyer organizations. |
| Technologies | EHR, endoscopy imaging, lab systems, analytics, CRM, digital health, clinical workflow software | Useful if selling software, data, or workflow enablement tools. |
| Revenue range | $10M+ for specialty organizations; $100M+ for health systems and manufacturers | Prioritizes organizations with buying power and event sponsorship potential. |
Suggested Apollo Search Logic: (hospital OR health system OR gastroenterology OR endoscopy OR hepatology OR medical device OR pharmaceuticals OR biotechnology) AND (procurement OR sourcing OR medical affairs OR clinical operations OR research OR product) AND (director OR VP OR manager OR chief OR chair).
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Sources & Verification Notes
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| DDW Official Home Page | Official organizer website | Event name, 2026 dates, Chicago & online format, global GI meeting positioning, scientific and industry programming themes | High |
| Provided official website excerpt | Primary source text supplied by user | Confirmed the homepage wording, event framing, and the absence of a publicly visible attendance count in the supplied text | High |
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Tell us your work email and our AI instantly builds a buyer list matched to Digestive Disease Week - DDW — the best‑fit companies to target, the exact decision‑maker job titles, and the industry filters that fit what you sell.
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