Sparks is referred to as a leadership summit, but don’t be misled—it is NOT a leadership conference. While VEGgies do have the opportunity to focus on developing their leadership skills, that’s only a small part of the event.

Sparks is about vision setting. It’s about igniting passion in VEG leaders and aligning on goals for the year ahead. It’s a chance for more than 300 VEG leaders from around the country to get to know each other, compare ideas and experiences, and learn together.

Last year’s Sparks was no exception. Held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona, the excitement and energy pulsing throughout the two-day event was obvious—starting with the welcome reception, where VEGgies from different hospitals were able to catch up and get to know each other. The excitement continued the next day during the mainstage session, which kicked off with inspiring messages from David Bessler, VEG founder and CEO; Jessi Passalacqua, chief operating officer; Meredith Daly, chief quality officer; Ken Yagi, chief nursing officer; and Jonathan Walker, chief financial officer, about everything from the VEG Experience, to operational excellence and growth, to our foundations for the year. There was also an announcement from CMO Leslie Semegran about VEG’s “right branding”—our refreshed name and brand new look—as well as master class sessions from VEG board members facilitated by VEG Co-Founder and President David Glattstein.

“Sparks strengthens our leadership harmony, ensures our teams are equipped with the knowledge and tools to enhance hospital operations, and reinforces our shared mission,” said Jessi Passalacqua, who oversees the entire Sparks event. “By bringing leaders together, Sparks helps VEG maintain its strong culture, improve patient care, and push forward with the initiatives that will define our success.”

The “togetherness” aspect of Sparks is what Founder and CEO David Bessler sees as most important. “The biggest thing we accomplish at Sparks is getting leaders together in one room,” he said. “Being together and feeling like I’m not the only one that has to do this is a huge accomplishment. Hearing from all those people about the same things is validating and comforting. It’s easy to think you’re the only one experiencing things, but everyone has the same challenges.”

This was even more evident later during breakout sessions, which focused on role-specific leadership development. VEGgies in the same roles at different hospitals had the opportunity to share their experiences and align on goals, whether refining hospital operations, advancing clinical program innovations, or strengthening hospital culture.

Leaders also had time to wander the VEG Exchange, a vendor fair featuring a variety of external partners, as well as booths focused on internal initiatives and projects, such as wellness and benefits, nursing career paths, and a #lifeatveg lounge to name a few.

Another highlight of Sparks was the Sparks Awards Dinner, which took place at the Arizona Science Center and celebrated VEG frontline leaders who made a lasting impact in their hospitals over the past year. There were nine awards in total, recognizing accomplishments from the past year: the Mind Blowing Experience Award, honoring a hospital that took VEGx to the next level; the Stellar Performance Award, celebrating one hospital’s outstanding performance; the Grove Award, recognizing the hospital that not only had 15+ hires, but also the most hires from referrals; the First Impression Award, celebrating the hospital that the most calls turn into visits, and the Leadership Harmony Award, honoring the top scoring hospital on the leadership harmony question in the peakon survey. There were also Hospital Manager, Nursing Manager, and Medical Director of the Year awards, as well as an award for Innovator of the Year, which recognized VEGgies who created something new and solved a need in their hospitals.

According to Passalacqua, the Sparks Awards Dinner was one of the most memorable moments of the entire Sparks event. “Recognizing the dedication, innovation, and leadership of our teams is always a highlight, and this year was no different,” she said. “Seeing the excitement as we honored standouts like VEG Franklin for their ‘Go Bags’ innovation and VEG Cincinnati for their Leadership Harmony reminded us of the power of teamwork and passion in driving VEG forward.”

Beyond the awards (and a big shout out to each and every VEGgie honored with an award!), the night included dinner, drinks, and entertainment, plus an awards dinner after party to keeping the fun going.

“Sparks 2025 exceeded all expectations,” said Passalacqua. “The energy, engagement, and dedication from our leaders were truly inspiring, sparking fresh ideas and momentum that will propel us forward in the year ahead.”