ANCOR Connect ‘26
Join your national community community of providers for three days in Boston's stunning Seaport District. Together, we'll share innovative ways to stay agile, build strong partnerships, and leverage new tools that advance our shared mission of community inclusion for all.
- About
- Call for Sessions
ANCOR Connect ’26: Navigating the Now
ANCOR’s flagship annual gathering connects you with the people and ideas that empower you to deliver better services to more people. Every year, ANCOR Connect is our space for learning, connection, and taking meaningful action—a cornerstone of our community.
ANCOR Connect ’26 will take place April 21-23, 2026, in Boston’s vibrant Seaport District—a neighborhood where historic roots meet modern innovation. It’s a place where bold thinking and community spirit come together to tackle tough challenges and spark new possibilities.
Our theme for ANCOR Connect ’26, Navigating the Now, invites us to draw inspiration from the Seaport itself—a dynamic waterfront shaped by centuries of change and constant reinvention. Together, we’ll explore practical strategies, fresh ideas, and real-world solutions to help us keep moving forward—no matter what challenges arise.
The conference will spotlight innovative ways to stay agile, build strong partnerships, and leverage new tools that advance our shared mission of community inclusion for all. From thought-provoking discussions on technology’s role in service delivery to sessions focused on leadership resilience and community engagement, ANCOR Connect ’26 offers a comprehensive platform for growth and collaboration.
Come ready to share your story, learn from colleagues and thought leaders, and leave the Seaport District with fresh clarity, courage, and energy for the road ahead. It’s all about navigating the now—and Boston’s Seaport is the perfect backdrop for shaping what comes next for the people and communities we serve.
Who Attends?
All are welcome! As the signature gathering of community providers that support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), ANCOR’s Annual Conference attracts a diverse range of innovators from provider organizations, including:
- Executive leaders
- Program directors & program managers
- Frontline supervisors
- Direct support professionals
- Behavioral health specialists
- Case managers & support coordinators
- Nurses & other clinical staff
- Administrative staff (including professionals from human resources, finance, communications, development and more)
- Board members
In addition to provider organization staff, the ANCOR Annual Conference draws a wide array of others supporting our collective mission, including:
- Self-advocates & other people with I/DD
- Family members of people with I/DD
- Researchers
- Federal, state and local policymakers and regulators
- Companies offering leading products and services used by I/DD providers
- At-large members of the disability advocacy community
Given the diverse range of Annual Conference participants, there’s something for everyone—including YOU!
We’re excited to announce the Call for Sessions for ANCOR Connect 2026: Navigating the Now! This is your chance to share your ideas, lessons learned, and strategies with the country’s leading I/DD community.
The deadline for proposal submissions is Friday, September 26, 2025, at 11:59 pm PDT.
Presentation Dates
- Sessions for ANCOR Connect ’26 will be presented April 21, 22 and 23, 2026, in Boston, Massachusetts.
- Standard presentations should fit within a one-hour timeframe, inclusive of Q&A (we generally recommend 45 minutes for the presentation and 15 minutes for Q&A).
Our Audience
Our audience comes ready to be inspired, challenged, and equipped with new tools. They’re looking for big ideas paired with practical solutions – ways to strengthen services, uplift people with disabilities, and navigate the challenges of funding, workforce, and policy with creativity and courage. Therefore, our favorite presenters:
- Lead interactive sessions to stimulate thought-provoking discussions.
- Challenge our assumptions.
- Teach replicable approaches that Annual Conference participants can implement in their communities.
- Provide tools and resources for participants to use at home.
- Demonstrate the impact and success of their approach with data, first-person accounts and other objective evidence.
Presentation Requirements
We ask that proposals:
- Focus on learning and collaboration, not sales or promotion
- Avoid partisan political views
- Fit within the time allotted
Knowledge Pathways
- Business Resilience & Financial Strategy
- Community Connection & Belonging
- Data & Decision-Making
- Development & Fundraising
- Equity & Access for All
- Leadership in Uncertain Times
- Leadership & Organizational Development
- Lived Experience & Direct Support Voices
- Person-Centered Supports & Quality Services
- Policy, Law, & System Protection
- Service Innovation & Flexibility
- Workforce Sustainability & Support
Benefits of Speaking at Our Conference
There are a variety of benefits of having a proposal accepted for presentation as part of the ANCOR Connect, including:
- The opportunity to be seen as a credible subject matter expert in the I/DD field.
- Visibility on our website and print materials (where appropriate).
- Discounted registration rates.
Submission Timeline
If you have a story, strategy, or solution to share – we want to hear from you! Submit your proposal by September 26, 2025, at 11:59 pm PDT. Together, let’s make ANCOR Connect ‘26 a space for bold ideas and practical impact.
Want to see what the application looks like before you begin your proposal? Check it out here.
Questions?
Email Sasha Sencer, ANCOR’s Director of Education.