The JPM Healthcare Conference is one of the most electric, high-density networking weeks of the year – equal parts energizing, exhausting, and full of opportunity. After experiencing the whirlwind myself last year, I realized how important it is to prepare with intention, especially as a woman navigating such a massive, fast-moving ecosystem. Here are the five things I wish I had known before stepping into JPM – and what I’ll be doing differently this January.
1. Prioritize the Women’s Events
Some of the most valuable conversations and connections at JPM don’t happen inside the main venue – they happen at the dozens of women-focused gatherings happening throughout the city. Breakfasts, keynote lunches, leadership salons, private shopping experiences…these events are where women genuinely recharge from the craze of the weeks’ events, make warm introductions, and share insights you won’t find on any stage.
2. Tap Into Service Providers and Their Invite-Only Gatherings
Law firms, consulting groups, bankers, recruiters, SaaS groups – your trusted service providers have been planning for JPM week since last year, and they host some of the best curated gatherings in the city. Think: rooftop mixers, private dinners, VIP sports events, and quiet coffee lounges that serve as ideal meeting spots.
Reach out to your existing contacts ahead of time. Ask where they’ll be, what they’re hosting, and whether they have open slots. These advisors often appreciate the outreach, and usually have room for trailblazing women investors.
3. Bring More Business Cards Than You Think You’ll Ever Need
Last year, I underestimated this… badly. As in, I ran out the first morning – eeek! JPM is a marathon of networking and meetings – planned, spontaneous, and everything in between. Even in a digital world, business cards remain the social currency of the week. You’ll hand them out at coffee shops, hotel lobbies, sidewalk chats, elevator rides, giveaway jars, and every reception you step into.
Take whatever number you think you need, and then double it. ‘
4. Block Time for Follow-Ups Before You Even Arrive
One thing that’s universal about JPM: the week is so packed that no one has the capacity to follow up in real time. If you don’t plan your follow-ups in advance, they’ll easily slip away.
Before you fly out:
- Create a quick notes system in your phone each night so you remember who’s who
- Block the time on your flight home for thank-you notes
- Reserve a few windows later that week for deeper follow-ups
Your future self will be deeply grateful for the “pre-crastination”.
5. Embrace the Chaos: Your Schedule Will Come Together at the Last Minute
JPM is legendary for two things: the deals and the scheduling chaos.
You can plan all you want, but the truth is:
- No one feels like they can commit before two weeks out
- Coffee chats get moved
- Meetings get added 2 days beforehand
- Your “free morning” turns into a full sprint
- Your “packed afternoon” magically evaporates
The key is to stay flexible and keep blocks of open space. Your most high-value meeting may come from a last-minute suggestion, a text from an acquaintance, or someone you bump into outside the Westin.
Let go of perfection and embrace the fluidity. That’s where the magic happens.
BONUS: Prepare for the Rain
If there’s one thing you can count on during JPM week – besides back-to-back meetings – it’s the rain. San Francisco in January is reliably damp, and you’ll be walking everywhere: from hotel to hotel, from breakfast to coffee meetings, from receptions to late-night gatherings.
Bring:
- A compact but sturdy umbrella
- A waterproof jacket with a hood
- Shoes that survive puddles
- A backup pair of socks (trust me on this one)
Dry feet and sleek layers go a long way in keeping your energy high and your confidence intact throughout the week.
Final Thought
JPM is not just a conference – it’s an ecosystem, a collision of ideas, and an opportunity to expand your network in ways you can’t fully predict. With intentional preparation and a willingness to roll with the chaos, you’ll walk away with meaningful connections, unexpected insights, and a more powerful professional community. Hopefully, without feeling like you drained your budget and social battery.
Here’s to a strong, confident, well-prepared JPM 2026. You’ve got this.
Written by Hannah Wynnyk
Hannah is the President and COO of the Kayo Conference Series.