All In! Vegas Pitch Showdown

All In! Vegas Pitch Showdown

Get ready to Ante Up! and showcase your most innovative ideas in osteopathic medical education! The All In! Vegas Pitch Showdown is your chance to shine on the mainstage at Educating Leaders 2026, the AACOM Annual Conference, taking place on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

We’re calling on faculty, administrators, students and collaborators to pitch creative, practical solutions that advance osteopathic medical education (OME) through creativity, collaboration and compassion. Four finalists will face off live before our judges, the "High Rollers"—and the winner will walk away with a $30,000 prize* to bring their vision to life.

*To the winner's institution

Purpose

To identify and elevate bold, practical innovations that advance OME, spotlighting programs that embody AACOM’s mission to lead and advocate for the OME community and promote excellence in education, research and service.

This program supports AACOM’s vision to improve the health of all people through education, research and community engagement, and advances our strategic priorities by:

• Promoting innovation in OME 
• Strengthening collaboration and shared learning across COMs  

What We’re Looking For

All innovations are welcome, but we especially encourage submissions demonstrating excellence or novel approaches in:

• Food As Medicine: Integrating nutrition education into osteopathic curricula and clinical practice. 
• Compassionate Communities: Building humanistic, community-centered approaches to medical education and care delivery. 
• Clinical Education: Improving and enhancing the clinical rotation experience for our students.

Multi-COM collaborations and cross-disciplinary initiatives will receive special consideration.

Program Overview

Through the Ante Up! submission process, participants share concise written or video proposals ahead of Educating Leaders 2026. Submissions will first be reviewed and categorized by theme, and four themes will be selected for presentation in the in-conference breakout rooms. Top ideas in each theme will be identified and given a chance to present during interactive breakout “first-round” sessions on Friday, April 24, where attendees help select the top projects to advance to the All In! The Vegas Pitch Showdown on the mainstage at Caesars Palace, where they will present their ideas to four "High Rollers" who will, along with the audience, determine the winner.

Eligibility Requirements

Any faculty (including adjunct faculty or contracted preceptors), staff or students affiliated with an AACOM-member college of osteopathic medicine is eligible to apply. Applicants agree that all submissions may be used by AACOM in marketing, publications and other communication. All applicants give AACOM permission to use their name, images, videos and any appearance at Educating Leaders in AACOM communications.

While any number of individuals may work on a submission, the person submitting the idea will be the presenter and prize winner. All prize money will be given to the institution affiliated with the winning idea. All those submitting an idea must agree that, if their idea is chosen for either the “Deal Me In” breakouts, or the “All In!” final pitch presentation, they will register for and attend Educating Leaders 2026 in Las Vegas, NV, and be present in person on April 24, 2026. All those submitting ideas, whether on behalf of themselves or a team, must be the owner or an owner of any intellectual property included in the submission. Previous awardees of AACOM grants are eligible to apply.

Awards & Recognition

• $30,000 Prize – Awarded to the overall winner's institution
• $5,000 Prize – Awarded to the three runners-up's institutions
• All submissions will be recognized in conference materials and in AACOM communications  

Timeline

November 6–December 15: Ante Up! (Call for Ideas)
Submit your innovative idea as either:

• A one-page summary (≤500 words), or 
• A 90-second “Ante Up!” video pitch

December 16–January 31: Screening and Categorization
AACOM reviews submissions for clarity and organizes them into breakout themes.

February 1–28: Prep and "Deal Me In" Pitch Clinic
Facilitators and participants receive digital briefing packets and participate in a virtual Pitch Clinic to refine their presentations and visuals before the main event.

April 24, 2026: The Main Event
Round 1: "Deal Me In" Breakout Sessions
Pitch your idea to the breakout room attendees in 3 minutes, with 2 minutes reserved for Q&A for each presentation. Up to five presentations will comprise each breakout session. Attendees will vote live to select one finalist from each breakout room. 

Final Round: All In! The Vegas Pitch Showdown
Finalists take the mainstage to present their ideas before the “High Roller” judges and audience. Judges and attendees vote to determine who takes home the top prize.

Are You Ready to Go All In?

This is your moment to turn inspiration into impact. Whether it’s reimagining how we teach, connect or care—your idea could change the game.