2024 Conference Volunteers
Conference Chair: Sue Hesjedahl
Program Committee: Sarah Feeney-Martin, Karie Papillon, Julie Pennal, Dena Silverberg, Kelly Meeussen, Kara Miller, Pierre Benoit, Wendy Caceres-Speakman, Léo Lavergne, Robin Mech and Sue Hesjedahl
Social Committee: Lisa Tobio, Donna St Martin, Dena Silverberg and Anna Do
Trade Show: Lina Zita
Registration/Delegate Bags: OACAO Admin Team
Marketing/Promotion: Lina Zita, Erica Rizzi, Victoria Stewart
Hotel/Logistics: Sue Hesjedahl, Donna St Martin
Sponsorship: Sue Hesjedahl, Leisa Davie
Volunteers: Wendy Caceres-Speakman
Travel Bursary: Bill Krever, Wendy Caceres-Speakman, Nora Jones, Donna St Martin and Sue Hesjedahl
* (Chair/Co-Chairs are bolded)
Full conference and single day registration options are available.
Sunday October 27, 2024
1:00 – 5:30PM: Pre-Conference Powerups – Social Prescribing & French Language Sessions
5:30 – 6:30 PM: Break
6:30 – 8:30 PM: Networking Reception – join us to get to know other conference delegates, meet the OACAO board and enjoy a selection of appetizers and cash bar!
Monday, October 28, 2024
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Registration and Information
7:15 – 8:15 AM: Breakfast
8:00 AM: Conference Kick-Off & Indigenous Welcome
8:30 AM: Opening Keynote Speaker – Pete Bombaci, GenWell: The Power of Building a Culture of Human Connection
9:45 – 10:45 AM: Breakout Session A
10:45 – 11:30 AM: Trade Show
11:45 – 12:45 PM: Breakout Session B
12:45 – 2:30 PM: Lunch & Tradeshow
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM: Greeting from Minister Raymond Cho / Prize Draws and Sponsor Thank You’s
3:00 – 4:00 PM: Breakout Session C
4:15 – 5:00 PM: Networking Breakout Sessions
5:00 – 6:00 PM: Free Time
5:30 PM: Pre-Dinner Social with cash bar
6:00 PM: Dinner followed by Entertainment & Dancing With the Fiddlestix Band!
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Note: Tuesday offers plenary sessions for the duration of the day.
7:00 – 7:30 AM: Morning Movement – Yoga Stretch and Group Walk
7:30 – 8:30 AM: Breakfast
8:15 – 8:45 AM: Dr. Dion Neame – Heath and Wellness Presentation
8:45 – 9:15 AM: Mathew Varsava – Minister’s Office, MSAA – Interactive Question & Answer Session: Ask About MSAA Programs and Other Ministry Programs
9:15 – 10:00 AM: Dr. Paula Rochon – Women’s Age Lab, Women’s College Hospital: Rethinking Aging: The Opportunities Ahead
10:00 – 10:30 AM: Refreshments & Hotel Check-out
10:30 – 12:00 PM: Lightning Talks
12:00 – 12:45 PM: Lunch
12:45 – 1:45 PM: Chris Bint – Tech Coaches – Beyond Fear: Embracing AI (Artificial Intelligence) in a World Reshaped by Technology
1:45 – 2:00 PM: Break & Prize Draws
2:00- 3:00 PM: Jennie Queen – Jennie Queen Coaching – Thriving Everyday: Navigating Work & Life
**Order of events may change as the program is developed.
Register online at: https://oacao.wildapricot.org/event-5750505
Downloadable Registration form (fillable PDF): click here
Brochure (with workshop descriptions): click here
Registration deadline is Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Conference Packages & Fees
New for 2024: Conference Travel Bursary
This year, the OACAO Board of Directors has allocated funds to assist OACAO members traveling from greater distances, facilitating their participation in the conference. The travel bursary aims to subsidize eligible delegates’ travel and accommodation expenses. Please find the eligibility criteria, bursary amounts and other details on the attached Application Form. Deadline to submit is now closed, questions can be directed to info@oacao.org.
Book Your Accommodations
Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale (6750 Mississauga Road, Mississauga).
Delegates are responsible for booking their own reservations directly. The OACAO Room Block is SOLD OUT.
Call 1-800-445-8667 with Group Code: OACAO 2024 or contact sue@oacao.org for assistance.
Monday Gala Dinner and Entertainment
Join us for an unforgettable evening at our Monday Gala! Enjoy a buffet-style dinner, then dance the night away with a high-energy performance from the Fiddlestix band!
Join us Monday night for an epic evening of entertainment featuring the Fiddlestix performing high energy, fun for all ages. The Fiddlestix will light up any party or event! With their energizing original songs and a blend of popular songs and famous classics, the band masterfully gets everyone on the dance floor! Wear your dancing shoes.
Monday Silent Auction
We have many exciting auction items up for grab live and online. All you need to do is click or bid and win! It is that simple! All funds raised will continue to allow OACAO to do what it does best – provide more services, education and resources to support the needs of our members. Thank you for your support! Online auction closes Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 3:00pm EDT.
Halloween Costume Contest
Show off your creativity with your best Halloween costume at our Monday Gala Dinner! Win prizes for best costume, most innovative costume, and best group costume!
GooseChase
Join in for a 3-day virtual scavenger hunt using the Goosechase App! Get to know other conference delegates and our OACAO Business
Partners and win fun prizes. The GooseChase App must be downloaded prior to conference to participate: www.goosechase.com
Exhibitor List
- Access Abilities
- Age-Friendly Consulting
- Alzheimer Society of Ontario
- Amica Credit Mills
- Arbor Memorial
- AYS: Online Community for Thriving Older Adults
- belairdirect
- Brock Functional Inclusive Training Centre
- Canadian Hearing Services
- Catholic Community Services of York Region
- Cedarhurst Dementia Care Home
- Chartwell Retirement Residences
- Conestoga College – Custom Training Solutions
- Evear Hearing
- Gerry Connect
- GLA Rehab
- GreenShield Pharmacy
- HearCANADA
- HearingLife Canada
- Heart to Home Meals
- HelpAge Canada
- Human Endeavour
- Insuranceland Inc
- MedicAlert Foundation Canada
- Medline Canada
- Men’s Shed Canada
- Mood Walks (CMHA, Ontario Division)
- MySeniorCenter
- Nurse Next Door
- OASSIS Employee Benefits Plans
- OAKS – Older Adults Knowledge Sharing
- Ontario Caregiver Organization
- Ontario Personal Support Workers Association
- Ontario Securities Commission
- Patient Ombudsman
- Prime Communications (Rogers)
- Pro Plus Tech
- Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority
- Senior Discovery Tours
- Senior Women Living Together
- Service Canada
- Solus Support Services
- Spectrum Health Care
- TripOppo Inc.
- Tuktu Care
- Volunteer Success
For any questions, please contact Lina Zita, Development and Marketing Coordinator, Toll free: 1-866-835-7693, Local: 905-584-8125, Email: coordinator@oacao.org.
Transportation Information to Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale (6750 Mississauga Rd, Mississauga, ON L5N 2L3):
The hotel is centrally located in the city of Mississauga, Ontario within easy reach via Highway 401, 407 and 403.
Airport shuttle – Not available
MiWay, Mississauga Transit: https://www.mississauga.ca/miway-transit/
Go Transit: https://www.gotransit.com/en
Bus stations near Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale:
Argentia Road at Century Avenue – 3-minute walk
Argentia Road at Mississauga Road – 4-minute walk
I am interested in being a speaker or am a speaker for the Conference, who do I contact?
Please contact info@oacao.org for more information.
I am interested in being a sponsor for the Conference, who do I contact?
Please contact Sue Hesjedahl at sue@oacao.org for more information.
I am interested in being an exhibitor at the Trade Show at Conference, who do I contact?
Please contact Lina Zita at coordinator@oacao.org for more information.
I am interested in providing a delegate bag insert, who do I contact?
Please contact Lina Zita at coordinator@oacao.org for more information.
Where can I learn more about the Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario?
Please visit www.oacao.org/about-oacao for more information.
How do I become a member of the Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario?
Please visit www.oacao.org/membership/become-a-member/ for more information.
How can I volunteer?
Please contact info@oacao.org for more information.
I have a registration question.
Please contact admin@oacao.org / 1-866-835-7693 or 905-584-8125 OR Lina Zita at coordinator@oacao.org.