Annual Convention
Embrace the Pivot. Discover the Possibilities!
Change often requires us to adjust course—but a pivot can also open the door to new ideas, new approaches, and new possibilities. At this year’s Annual Convention, our theme, Possibility in the Pivot, invites DD professionals and advocates from across Ohio to explore what’s possible when we embrace change, learn from one another, and find new ways forward. Through practical strategies, fresh perspectives, and valuable connections, we’ll discover opportunities to strengthen our work and continue building a responsive, innovative system of support for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
Join us Nov. 11–13 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton for three days of learning, connection, and inspiration.
Schedule
General Event Schedule
Day 1 (Wednesday, November 11)
Day 2 (Thursday, November 12)
Day 3 (Friday, November 13)
Breakout Tracks by Day
The convention begins at 9 a.m. on all three days.
Day 1:
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Day 2:
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Day 3:
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Advocacy |
Communications |
Half-Day |
Continuing professional development units (CPDUs) will be made available through OACB and DODD for all approved sessions.
*Friday's programming will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lunch is on your own for all attendees on Friday, Nov. 13.
Download the Schedule-at-a-Glance
Attendee Registration
| County Board Members | County Board, COG, and Affiliate Staff | Non-Members | |
| Wednesday or Thursday (One Full Day) | $125 | $205 | $265 |
| Wednesday and Thursday (Two Full Days) | $240 | $335 | $445 |
| Thursday and Friday (1.5 Days) | $185 | $265 | $325 |
| Friday Only (One Half-Day) | $70 | $70 | $70 |
| Full Event | $290 | $385 | $505 |
Most virtual sessions are $25 each. To register for the virtual sessions, visit the OACB Events page.
Registration is free for people with developmental disabilities and up to one accompanying direct support professional per person. Be sure to select "advocate/guest" when registering.
Following the event, OACB will send one invoice to each county board for all registered staff from that county. Attendees who are not affiliated with a county board will also be billed after the event. Please do not submit payment in advance. All applicable billing will take place after the event.
Register for the Annual Convention
Hotel
Event Location:
Hilton Columbus at Easton
3900 Chagrin Drive, Columbus, OH 43219
Telephone: (614) 414-5000
Hotel Accommodations
The OACB room block at the Hilton Columbus at Easton is currently full, and the Hilton is no longer accepting additional reservations at the reduced conference rate.
Standard rooms at the Hilton may still be available outside the OACB room block at market rates. If reservations within the OACB block are canceled, however, reduced-rate rooms may become available again.
Alternate Hotel Available: OACB has reserved a second block of reduced-rate rooms at the nearby Springhill Suites (1 mile from the Hilton) at a reduced rate of $169 per night plus tax. Click here to reserve a room at the Springhill Suites or call 888-236-2427 and mention "OAC" to receive the reduced rate. There are also multiple hotels in the area surrounding the convention site at the Hilton Columbus at Easton.
Hilton Room Block Waiting List
OACB will maintain a waiting list for attendees interested in rooms at the Hilton conference rate if space becomes available due to cancellations. To be added to the waiting list, please email Lauren Conrath at lconrath@oacbdd.org with your name and county/organization.
If you currently have a reservation in the OACB room block and need to cancel, please contact Lauren before canceling directly with the hotel. Rooms canceled directly with the Hilton may be removed from OACB's block entirely, preventing us from making the reduced-rate room available to another attendee.
OACB Room Block Policy
To provide attendees with convenient lodging and discounted conference rates, OACB contracts with conference hotels for designated room blocks. As part of these agreements, OACB commits to filling a minimum number of room nights. If that commitment is not met, OACB may be responsible for significant hotel fees known as attrition charges.
We ask county boards and other attendees to reserve rooms within OACB's designated room blocks whenever possible. Rooms booked outside the blocks may not count toward OACB's contractual room commitment.
New this year: Because canceled rooms can affect OACB's ability to meet its contractual commitment, county boards that reserve rooms within an OACB room block and later cancel them may be responsible for a portion of any resulting attrition charges.
If OACB is assessed attrition charges, we will determine the portion associated with canceled room block reservations and share those costs among the county boards responsible for those cancellations. County boards will be invoiced only if OACB actually incurs an attrition charge from the hotel.
If your lodging needs change, please contact Lauren Conrath at lconrath@oacbdd.org as soon as possible. Early notice may allow OACB to reassign your room to another attendee and avoid potential attrition charges.
We appreciate everyone's help in booking thoughtfully and communicating changes as early as possible. Doing so helps OACB manage its hotel commitments and keep convention costs as reasonable as possible for everyone.
By reserving accommodations within an OACB room block, attendees acknowledge and agree to comply with this policy.
General Session Speakers
More to be announced soon - check back!
Vendors, Sponsors, and Program Ads
Participating as a vendor, sponsor, or advertiser — or all three — is a great way to connect with hundreds of attendees from across Ohio’s developmental disabilities system while showcasing your organization, products, and services. Our members value the partners who support their work, and the Annual Convention is a great opportunity to build connections and increase your visibility.
Spaces are filling quickly, so don’t wait to secure your spot!
The flyer linked below includes details about sponsorship, exhibiting, and advertising opportunities. If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Conrath at lconrath@oacbdd.org.
Vendor Table Pricing
- One Day (Wednesday or Thursday): $435
- Two Days (Wednesday and Thursday): $685
- Three Days (Wednesday through Friday): $785
Deadline for Vendor Table Registration: October 30 or until full.
Program Ads
Promote your organization, products, or services to hundreds of DD professionals and decision-makers from across Ohio by advertising in the OACB Annual Convention Program.
Every attendee receives a copy of our full-color printed convention program, which serves as their guide throughout the three-day event. Attendees refer to the program throughout the convention to navigate session schedules, learn about speakers, find exhibitors and plan their experience—giving advertisers repeated visibility throughout the event.
A program ad is an affordable way to increase your organization’s visibility, reinforce your presence at the convention and connect with professionals who support Ohio’s county board DD system. Whether you’re joining us as a vendor or sponsor or simply want to reach convention attendees, several ad sizes are available to fit your needs and budget.
Dimensions and Pricing:
- 1/3 page vertical (2.375" x 9.125"): $150
- 1/4 page (3.125" x 4.5"): $175
- 1/2 page horizontal (7.5" x 4.5"): $250
- Full page (8.5" x 11"): $500
Deadline to Submit Program Ads: October 9
Note: OACB reserves the right to request changes to or refuse any ad.
Please contact Lora Morrison (lmorrison@oacbdd.org) if you have any questions about program ads.