News & Insights

News & Insights

December 4 - 6 › Charleston, SC

Leaders in the healthcare industry have long pursued the need for deep, meaningful change in health system marketing and branding. For more than a decade, the top health system marketers in the country have explored marketing disruption at the Joe Public Retreat.

Unlike other conferences that feature a speaker-heavy format, the Joe Public Retreat provides a unique atmosphere and small group setting that encourages attendees to not only hear from industry leaders, but also to engage them in conversation about specific ideas and challenges. Expert-led panels, executive keynotes and roundtable discussions all focus on the transformation of healthcare marketing. Throw in fantastic food, drink and a beautiful setting, and the Retreat offers an experience unlike any other in the industry.


Given the unique structure of the Joe Public Retreat, attendance is capped at 50 registrants to ensure vibrant conversations. The event typically sells out early, so save your spot and register today.

Save Your Spot

What to expect at Joe Public Retreat 2024


The value of marketing to health systems in a competitive landscape has always seemed obvious. Yet, shifting societal and industry dynamics threaten the very role of marketing in healthcare. Growing demand from an aging population; reduced capacity due to long-term labor shortage issues; ongoing financial stress for many health systems; artificial intelligence – all of these add up to an environment unforeseen in this space. How do CMOs not only demonstrate their impact on their organizations, but defend the fundamental value of marketing in this shifting landscape? The return of the Joe Public Retreat will explore the threats to the CMO and ideas for the way forward.

Featured Panelists


Dr. Marcus Collins

Best Selling Author and Keynote Speaker

Paul Keckley

Managing Editor of the Keckley Report and Healthcare Policy Expert

Paul Roetzer

Founder and CEO of Marketing AI Institute

Chris Boyer

Principal and Owner, @chrisboyer LLC

Chris Bevolo

Healthcare Marketing Thought Leader and Author

Marian Dezelan


Healthcare Marketing Executive



Panelist Bios and Information



2024 Joe Public Retreat Agenda


  • 12 PM: Lunch and Registration
  • 2 PM: State of Healthcare Economics with Paul Keckley
  • 5 PM: Welcome Reception
  • 7 PM: Dinner

State of Healthcare Economics with Paul Keckley

How will the current – and future – economic landscape in healthcare impact marketing at health systems? Hear renowned industry expert Paul Keckley discuss the unprecedented challenges and shifts faced by health systems, and how understanding the economic drivers behind these changes is crucial for professionals across the industry.


  • 7:30 AM: Breakfast and Registration
  • 8:30 AM: Introduction – Rome is Burning with Chris Bevolo
  • 9:15 AM: CMOs on the Front Lines with Marian Dezelan and Chris Boyer
  • 10:30 AM: Break
  • 10:45 AM: The Future of the CMO: A Groundbreaking Study
  • 12 PM: Lunch
  • 1:15 PM: CMO Trends from Outside of Healthcare with Dr. Marcus Collins
  • 2:30 PM: Small Group Workshop
  • 3:30 PM: Break
  • 3:45 PM: Group Share Out
  • 6:30 PM: Cocktail Hour and Dinner

Rome is Burning with Chris Bevolo


Shifting societal and industry dynamics threaten the very role of marketing in health systems. Growing demand; reduced capacity; ongoing financial stress; the spread of Artificial Intelligence — all add up to a new and potentially ominous environment for CMOs. Chris will cover the topic that is the focus of the Retreat's agenda.

CMOs on the Front Lines with Marian Dezelan and Chris Boyer


One of the key indicators that Rome is Burning for CMOs in healthcare is the elimination of the CMO role in a number of large, well known health systems. Hear from two long-tenured health system marketing leaders who faced that very dynamic on what led to their situation and what others in the same position should watch for. Join industry leaders Marian Dezelan and Chris Boyer as they share their experiences and insights on navigating today's complex environment

The Future of the CMO - A Groundbreaking Study

Hear the results of a groundbreaking study on the future of the health system CMOs from Chris Bevolo of BPD and Ryan Donohue of NRC Health, the two companies who developed the study. Using quantitative and qualitative research, the study explores how health system CEOs view the value of marketing and the role of the CMO, both today and into the future. 


CMO Trends from Outside of Healthcare with Marcus Collins


As healthcare continues to evolve, Chief Marketing Officers in healthcare can gain valuable insights by looking beyond the healthcare sector. In this discussion, Dr. Marcus Collins, a marketing expert with deep experience across various industries, will share key trends and strategies that have been successfully employed outside of healthcare and how they can be adapted to meet the unique challenges faced by healthcare CMOs. Dr. Collins will explore topics such as brand building, consumer engagement, digital transformation, and the power of cultural intelligence.


  • 8 AM: Breakfast
  • 8:30 AM: The Impact of AI with Paul Roetzer
  • 10:30 AM: Break
  • 10:45 AM: ROI at Scale Session
  • 11:30 AM: Final Remarks and Closing

The Impact of AI with Paul Roetzer

Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands to revolutionize the marketing discipline, offering unprecedented opportunities and challenges for personalization, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making. In this panel, Paul Roetzer, a leader in understanding the impact of AI on marketing, will explore how AI is transforming the way agencies and brands operate and the implications for the future, and how that will impact the role of CMO and marketing leadership moving forward.  

Save Your Spot

Is this retreat for me?

The Joe Public Retreat is ideal for health system marketing leaders who want to:

  • Participate in a three-day discussion on the most important trends in the healthcare marketing industry
  • Interact with senior-level health system marketers from some of the most progressive hospitals and health systems in the U.S.
  • Continue to advance the transformation of their health system branding and marketing approach

“The only healthcare marketing conference that I refuse to miss.”

MATT GOVE

Chief Marketing Officer, Summit Health

Event Location

Hotel Bennett

404 King Street

Charleston, SC 29403

Hotel Bennett

404 King Street

Charleston, SC 29403

In the center of historic downtown, Hotel Bennett is the combination of steep tradition, intricate European-inspired architecture and Southern hospitality. From the front doors, walk onto King Street, the gateway to culture and class. Embrace the allure of the Holy City and cherish moments of discovery and exploration with luxurious accommodations, amenities and dining experiences.

Event Attire

Come however you feel best – many attendees will plan to dress in business casual for the event.

Save Your Spot

Lead Facilitator

Chris Bevolo

Chris started the Joe Public Retreat in 2012, and has served as host and facilitator for the event ever since. As Chief Transformation Officer at BPD, Chris helps clients reimagine their roles, reinvent their businesses, and transform their impact on healthcare. Chris is an award-winning author of seven books, including Joe Public Doesn’t Care About Your Hospital, and a frequent keynote speaker and featured presenter on the topics of healthcare marketing and branding.

This Year’s Panelists

Alejo Rozas
Motion Graphics Art Director
Alejo Rozas
Motion Graphics Art Director
Alejo Rozas
Motion Graphics Art Director
Alejo Rozas
Motion Graphics Art Director
Alejo Rozas
Motion Graphics Art Director
Alejo Rozas
Motion Graphics Art Director
Alejo Rozas
Motion Graphics Art Director
Alejo Rozas
Motion Graphics Art Director
Alejo Rozas
Motion Graphics Art Director
Alejo Rozas
Motion Graphics Art Director