Speaker Proposals & Award Nominations

Interested in submitting a speaker proposal?
Visit the Sessions tab for details, guidelines, and submission information.

Interested in submitting an award nomination?
Visit the Awards tab to learn more about award categories, eligibility, and how to submit a nomination.

Registration

Registration for the 2026 OPRA Annual Conference will open soon.

Join OPRA October 21–23, 2026, at the Hilton Columbus Polaris for three days of education, networking, special events, and opportunities to connect with Ohio’s provider community.

Registration Fees

OPRA Member Registration
$425 per person

Non-Member Registration
$700 per person

One-Day Registration
$275 OPRA Member
$450 Non-Member

Speaker Registration
Complimentary for approved main speaker

Exhibitor Registration
Exhibitors and sponsors should select their exhibitor package by registering through the conference registration site. Exhibitor packages include registration for two exhibitor representatives. Additional exhibitor representatives may be added for $450 per person.

What’s Included

Full conference registration includes access to educational sessions, keynote presentations, conference materials, networking opportunities, the exhibit area, and select meals and special events included in the conference schedule.

One-day registration includes access to conference programming and included meals/events scheduled for the selected day.

Special Events

Registration may include access to select OPRA Annual Conference special events, including the Exhibitor Happy Hour, Annual Conference Party, and Awards Luncheon. Additional details will be available as the schedule is finalized.

Questions?

For registration questions, please contact:

Melissa Fannon, CMP
Director of Events & Strategic Partnerships
mfannon@opra.org

Hotel & Lodging

The 2026 OPRA Annual Conference will be held at the Hilton Columbus Polaris in Columbus, Ohio.

Located near Polaris Fashion Place and a variety of restaurants, shops, and local attractions, the Hilton Columbus Polaris offers a convenient and comfortable setting for conference attendees.

Conference Hotel

Hilton Columbus Polaris
8700 Lyra Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43240

All conference sessions, exhibits, meals, and special events will take place at the Hilton Columbus Polaris.

Room Block

OPRA has secured a discounted room block at the Hilton Columbus Polaris for conference attendees.

Room Rate: $179 plus tax, run of house

The hotel room block link will be provided after you complete your conference registration.

Attendees are encouraged to register and book their hotel room early, as rooms may sell out before the reservation deadline.

Parking

Free onsite parking is available at the Hilton Columbus Polaris for conference attendees.

Directions

The Hilton Columbus Polaris is located north of downtown Columbus and is easily accessible from I-71. The hotel is approximately 20–25 minutes from John Glenn Columbus International Airport, depending on traffic.

Nearby Dining & Shopping

The hotel is located near Polaris Fashion Place and many dining options, making it easy for attendees to find restaurants, shopping, and additional amenities during their stay.

Questions?

For hotel or conference questions, please contact:

Melissa Fannon, CMP
Director of Events & Strategic Partnerships
Ohio Provider Resource Association
mfannon@opra.org

Schedule-at-a-Glance

Call for Speaker Proposals

OPRA is pleased to announce that the Call for Speaker Proposals is now open for the 2026 OPRA Annual Conference.

Conference Dates: October 22–23, 2026
Location: Hilton Columbus Polaris
8700 Lyra Drive, Columbus, OH 43240

The OPRA Annual Conference brings together professionals from across Ohio’s intellectual and developmental disabilities provider community, including staff and leaders from both non-profit and for-profit organizations. Attendees represent a wide range of roles, from direct service and program operations to executive leadership, compliance, human resources, finance, technology, and advocacy.

OPRA is seeking session proposals that are practical, forward-thinking, and relevant to the current needs of I/DD providers. Proposals must include a clear session outline and identify specific tools, strategies, takeaways, or best practices attendees can apply within their organizations.

Suggested topic areas may include some of the most timely issues facing providers today; however, OPRA welcomes proposals on other critical topics that may be valuable to conference attendees.

LEADERSHIP

• Leadership self-care/motivation skills
• Strategic planning and change management
• National policy updates

HUMAN RESOURCES & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

• HR basics for non-HR Managers
• Navigating changing employment laws and workforce environments
• Best practices for navigating or de-escalating employee conflict
• Understanding the changing needs and expectations of today's workforce
• Strategies for improving the HR workflows, systems, and processes
• Innovative approaches to staffing, recruitment, retention and employee engagement
• Creating cultures of inclusive belonging

• HR  basics for non-HR Managers

DAY & EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

• Community integration
• Supporting mental health and trauma related needs in individuals and staff
• Preventing employee burnout
• Job placement, job coaching, and employer engagement in the current economy

HEALTHCARE

• Best practices in medical care oversight
• Emerging medical technology and pharmaceuticals
• Nursing skills development
• Supporting mental and physical health for people with I/DD
• Collaboration between healthcare providers, DSPs, nurses, and leadership  teams

RESIDENTIAL WAIVER & ICF

• Cost reporting
• MUI
• Person-centered planning and implementation
• Individualized supports

PROMISING PRACTICES & QUALITY SERVICES

• AI tools for service delivery, operations and business administration
• Innovative uses of technology in service provision
• Using data to inform practice, policy, quality improvement and decision-making
• Participation in or experience with credential, certificate, or pilot programs
• Interagency collaboration and shared services

Before You Submit Your Proposal

Please note that this Call for Speaker Proposals is for breakout sessions only.

Keynote presentations and paid speaking opportunities are not being considered through this application process. If you are a professional speaker interested in keynote or compensated speaking opportunities, please contact Melissa Fannon at mfannon@opra.org to learn more.

Submit Your Proposal

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL

The deadline to submit is Monday, August 3, 2026. 

For questions regarding speaker proposals, please contact Sonya Summers at ssummers@opra.org.

Exhibitors & Sponsors

Connect with Ohio’s provider community at the 2026 OPRA Annual Conference.

The OPRA Annual Conference brings together providers, decision-makers, industry partners, and leaders from across Ohio’s developmental disabilities field. Exhibiting and sponsoring at the conference offers valuable opportunities to build relationships, share your services, increase brand visibility, and engage directly with organizations serving people with developmental disabilities.

Whether you are looking to showcase your organization, support a specific conference event, or expand your presence with OPRA members, there are several opportunities to get involved.

Exhibitor Opportunities

Exhibitors are an important part of the OPRA Annual Conference experience. The exhibit area gives attendees the opportunity to explore products, services, and solutions that support their work and the people they serve.

Exhibitor packages include exhibit space and registration for two exhibitor representatives. Additional exhibitor representatives may be added for an additional fee.

Exhibitor Package Fees
OPRA Associate Member Exhibitor: $1,500
Non-Member Exhibitor: $3,000
Additional Exhibitor Representative: $450 per person

To reserve your space, please select your exhibitor package through the conference registration site.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorships provide additional visibility before and during the conference while showing your organization’s support for Ohio’s provider community. Opportunities may include event sponsorships, meal sponsorships, branded conference items, keynote sponsorships, awards sponsorships, and other high-visibility options.

Sponsorship opportunities are limited and may be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Why Participate?

As an exhibitor or sponsor, your organization will have the opportunity to:

Connect with provider organizations and decision-makers from across Ohio
Increase visibility with OPRA members and conference attendees
Showcase products, services, and solutions that support the provider community
Build new relationships and strengthen existing partnerships
Support education, innovation, and collaboration in Ohio’s developmental disabilities field

Special Events & Networking

Exhibitors and sponsors are encouraged to participate in conference networking opportunities, including the Exhibitor Happy Hour, Annual Conference Party, and other special events. These events provide additional time to connect with attendees in a relaxed and engaging setting.

Questions?

For exhibitor, sponsor, or partnership questions, please contact:

Melissa Fannon, CMP
Director of Events & Strategic Partnerships
Ohio Provider Resource Association
mfannon@opra.org

Contact Melissa Fannon, Director of Events & Strategic Partnerships

OPRA Annual Awards

2026 OPRA Annual Awards

The Ohio Provider Resource Association is proud to recognize the outstanding individuals, teams, and organizations making a meaningful impact across Ohio’s intellectual and developmental disabilities service system.

The 2026 OPRA Annual Awards celebrate those who demonstrate excellence, innovation, leadership, and dedication in their work. From direct support professionals and job coaches to service teams, business leaders, and behind-the-scenes staff, these awards honor the people whose commitment helps make high-quality supports possible.

Call for Award Nominations

The Call for Award Nominations is now open for the 2026 OPRA Annual Awards.

The Annual Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Hilton Columbus Polaris during the OPRA Annual Conference.

Member organizations may submit up to two nominations per award category. Please review the OPRA Award descriptions and coordinate with your team before submitting nominations.

Click the link below to review the award categories, eligibility information, and nomination details.

2026 OPRA Annual Award Descriptions

All nominations must include the following information:

1. Nominator’s name, title, organization, address, phone number, and email.
2. Nominee’s name, title, organization and email (if known).
3. Reason for nomination not to exceed 750 words. 

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR AWARD NOMINATION

Or, you can email your nomination(s) with the required information directly to ssummers@opra.org.  

All nominations must be submitted no later than Monday, August 17th. 

Questions? Contact Sonya Summers