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.
Registration Opens Soon!
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.
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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.
What Awaits You
- 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
Speaker List Coming Soon!
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.
Stay tuned, registration will open soon!
Welcome Home to Family Forever
The conference begins on Friday evening with a warm and welcoming reception designed to help parents and caregivers connect, relax, and begin building lifelong friendships within the Best Buddies community.
3:00 - 5:00 PM
Registration & Check-In
Registration & Check-In
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.
3:00 - 5:00 PM
Wellness Station
Wellness Station
At the Wellness Station, massage chairs, acupuncture, and aromatherapy are waiting. Research shows that even brief moments of therapeutic care can lower stress and restore your nervous system. This is your permission to exhale. Deeply.
5:30 - 7:00 PM
Welcome Reception
Welcome Reception
- The evening will feature: Welcome remarks from Anthony K. Shriver
- A powerful family story highlighting the life-changing impact of family support, friendship, and inclusion
- A showcase of Best Buddies Family Support initiatives, including the exciting launch of Eunie’s Buddies in Ohio
- Recognition of national and local sponsors, community partners, and families helping create more inclusive communities
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.
