Where Families
Find Their People.
A weekend where parents find their people, their strength, and their path forward.
Oct 16- 17, 2026
The Junto Hotel, Columbus, Ohio
Finding other parents who understood changed everything for us.
Conversations → Connections
A Weekend That Gives Back to You
You show up for everyone. Every appointment, every milestone, every day. This is the weekend built for the person behind all that strength.
Registration
Early Registration: $149*
*Early Registration expires on September 16th. Late Registration will be $249.
Your registration includes two days of thoughtfully designed programming, resources, and special experiences created to help you connect, learn, and recharge.
The registration fee covers the full conference experience, including meals and refreshments, programming and workshops, event spaces, and thoughtfully selected resources and materials.
We offer convenient, flexible payment options, including credit card, Venmo, PayPal, and Google Pay, so you can choose the payment method that works best for you.
Participants may also choose to fundraise through Best Buddies to help offset registration and accommodation costs, making attendance at the Family Forever Conference more accessible. See Fundraising FAQ.
Stay Updated
Be the First to Know
Registration opens soon!
Be the first to get access to conference registration and receive event updates, including featured speakers and program highlights, as they are announced.
About the Conference
Where Families Find Their People
Best Buddies Family Forever Conference
Is a carefully curated gathering for parents and caregivers of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), designed not just to inform, but to restore. To remind you that the work you do matters, that your needs matter, and that this community has your back.
The Family Forever Conference is intentionally designed as an intimate gathering, with 100 attendees. This smaller setting creates space for meaningful conversations, deeper connections, and a more personal experience for parents and caregivers.
What Awaits You
Every element of this conference was chosen with your wellbeing in mind. Not as an afterthought, as the whole point.
- Laugh. Loudly.
- Rest your body.
- Reconnect with nature.
- Quiet your mind.
- Learn from the best.
- Safe to share
- Explore the Expo
This is Your Space
A place where you don't have to explain your life, because everyone around you gets it. Where connection happens easily, healing happens quietly, and you go home with the kind of energy that makes you excited for what's next.
The Best Buddies Family Forever Conference. Come for the weekend. Leave inspired, connected, recharged and empowered.
Featured Speakers
Voices That Move You Forward
Featured Speaker
Jess Ronne
Author, Speaker, and Advocate
Featured Speaker
Amanda Booth
Actor, Disability Advocate, and Model
Featured Speaker
Kelley Coleman
Author and Disability Advocate
Featured Speaker
Joan McGrath
Chief Executive Officer
Planned Lifetime Assistance Network (PLAN)
Featured Speaker
Kathy DiRusso
Director of Jobs Operations
Best Buddies International
Schedule of Events
An Agenda Built to Move You
The Best Buddies Family Forever Conference is more than a weekend event - it’s a place where parents and caregivers come together to feel seen, supported, and empowered for every stage of their journey. Designed for parents, caregivers, and loved ones of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), this inspiring gathering creates space for connection, learning, and lasting community.
Accomodations
Find the Stay That Feels Right for You
Make yourself at home for the weekend! A special courtesy room block is available at The Junto, our host hotel, through September 16 or until rooms are filled. Please refer to your registration email for details on booking.
Prefer to stay somewhere else? Columbus has plenty of options! For easy access to The Junto, we recommend looking in Downtown Columbus, the Short North, or the Grandview/OSU area. Wherever you choose, find the accommodations that feel right for you. Many nearby hotels are filling quickly, so we recommend booking soon.
Downtown hotels:
Hotels in Downtown Columbus | Convention Center & Airport
Hotels outside of downtown:
Campus & Clintonville Neighborhood Hotels
Short North Neighborhood Hotels
Getting Here
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) is the closest airport, conveniently located about 15–20 minutes from The Junto and Downtown Columbus.
For those driving into Columbus, valet parking is available at The Junto for $20 per day or $50 overnight. If you prefer to self-park, nearby options include the Peninsula Garage and Starling Street Garage, both within a short walk of The Junto.
Welcome Home to Family Forever
Conference attendees arrive, settle in, and receive conference materials while connecting with fellow attendees in a welcoming and inclusive environment. This time is designed to foster meaningful conversations and create a sense of belonging from the moment families walk through the door.
4:00 - 6:00 PM
Registration & Check-In
Registration & Check-In
Celebrate the launch of the inaugural Best Buddies Family Forever Conference with an evening centered on connection, inspiration, and community. Enjoy cocktails, light bites, and the opportunity to meet new friends as we prepare for an inspiring journey together.
4:00 - 6:00 PM
Thrive & Connect
Thrive & Connect
Take time to recharge while discovering resources, connecting with Best Buddies programs, and meeting other families. Explore wellness experiences including massage chairs, acupuncture, and aromatherapy, while learning about opportunities and support available through Best Buddies. Research shows that even brief moments of therapeutic care can lower stress and restore your nervous system. This is your permission to exhale. Deeply.
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Welcome Reception
Welcome Reception
Kick off the conference with a fun and inspiring evening featuring live entertainment and hors d’oeuvres. The program will include welcome remarks from Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Founder and CEO, and a powerful story highlighting the life-changing impact of family support, friendship, and inclusion. Parents and caregivers will have time to connect and begin a meaningful weekend together.
The Experience
Step Inside the Moments
Join Us
At the Family Forever Conference
Every family’s journey begins with a moment — and what comes next is shaped by connection, support, and hope.
Let's build family forever — together. Every family’s journey begins with a moment — and what comes next is shaped by connection, support, and hope.
Best Buddies Family Support
We're with You
Sponsors
Become an Event Sponsor
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact JillianSchoonover@bestbuddies.org.