This two-day event will Feature Actress Cheryl Hines, Actress and Disability Advocate Amanda Booth, Author and Advocate Jess Ronne, Expert-led Workshops, Wellness Experiences and Opportunities for Meaningful Connection

This fall, Best Buddies is hosting its inaugural Family Forever Conference, October 16–17, 2026, at The Junto Hotel in Columbus, Ohio. Designed exclusively for parents and caregivers of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the two-day conference will bring together attendees for a weekend centered on connection, education, wellness and community. The Family Forever conference is designed to give parents and caregivers a space to feel seen, supported and empowered while gaining practical tools and resources to help navigate every stage of their family’s journey.

This event will feature a dynamic lineup of speakers and advocates, including actress and comedian Cheryl Hines, actress and disability advocate Amanda Booth, author, speaker and advocate Jess Ronne, author and disability advocate Kelley Coleman, and Chief Executive Officer of Planned Lifetime Assistance Network (PLAN), Joan McGrath, as well as inspiring performances. Columbus native and Best Buddies Ambassador Zayne Harshaw, a self-taught guitarist who was diagnosed with autism at four years old, will be performing with his band, Blue Spectrum, along with cellist Elliot Riley, a Best Buddies participant from Colorado.

The conference kicks off Friday, October 16, with registration, wellness and resource experiences, and a welcome reception featuring live entertainment and remarks from Anthony K. Shriver, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Best Buddies International. Saturday’s programming includes keynote conversations, expert-led breakout sessions, interactive discussions and opportunities for families to connect with one another and explore Best Buddies programs and resources. Featured breakout sessions will address topics including financial planning for a family’s future, relationships, balancing the needs of the entire family, supporting a child’s interests and goals, caregiver identity and well-being, navigating medical care, advocacy and inclusion. The conference will close with Amanda Booth, who will share her personal perspective on parenting, advocacy and creating a world where individuals with IDD and their families feel seen, supported and celebrated.

To learn more and register for the Best Buddies Family Forever Conference, visit: bestbuddies.org/ffc. Scholarships are available for those who need financial assistance.