Aging Well – A premier event for leaders and professionals supporting older adults across Ontario!

The 2026 conference theme – Reimagine. Redefine. Rediscover. – invites us to explore aging in ways that spark possibility, curiosity, and renewed purpose. The conference is designed to energize our sector and deepen conversations shaping the future of older adult services across Ontario. 

🔹 Francophone Pre-Conference Workshops

🔹 Keynotes from visionary leaders

🔹 Practical breakout sessions on funding, collaboration & programming

🔹 A dynamic trade show of Industry Leaders

🔹 Networking with peers and industry innovators

🔹 Delicious meals and snacks with Monday night banquet and entertainment & improved travel-friendly Tuesday schedule

For an overview of last year’s OACAO AGING WELL Conference, please see the 2025 Brochure 

Monday’s Inspiring Keynote

“The Adventures of Later Life: Aging Reimagined”

Presented by Bill Randall, EdD, Emeritus Professor of Gerontology

2026 Conference Committee

CONFERENCE CO-CHAIRS

• *Sarah Feeney-Martin, *Nora Jones

PROGRAM COMMITTEE

•  *Jennifer Jones, *Robin Mech, Sarah Feeney-Martin, Dan Grummon,  Dena Silverberg, Sue Hesjedahl, Julie Pennal, Jenn Wiebe, Léo Lavergne, Brandy Yorg, Chantal Nadeau

SOCIAL COMMITTEE

• *Erin Burford

TRADE SHOW COMMITEE

• *Emily Angel, Anna Do, Victoria Stewart, Sue Hesjedahl

DELEGATE BAGS

• *Emily Angel

REGISTRATION

• *Julie Moran-Illes, OACAO Admin team

MARKETING/PROMOTION, SPONSORSHIP

• *Emily Angel

HOTEL/LOGISTICS

• *Sarah Feeney-Martin, Nora Jones, Sue Hesjedahl

VOLUNTEERS

• *Dena Silverberg, *Robin Mech

TRAVEL BURSARY

• *Bill Krever, Karie Papillon, Nora Jones

(* = Committee Chair or Co-Chairs)

aboutthe2026conference

🎟️2026 Aging Well Conference – Early Bird Registration Opens Soon 

Attention OACAO Members and Non-Members – Early Bird pricing will be released soon. 

FULL Conference Package – November 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 2026 includes:

• Sunday reception and social events

• Trade Show, Workshops, Keynote Speakers and Plenary Sessions, Lightning Talks

• All meals including Breakfasts, Coffee Breaks, Lunches, Monday Evening Gala & Dinner

To Register: https://oacao.wildapricot.org/event-6735274

Note: Single day and non-member packages will be available late summer. 

Hotel Booking Details 

Location: Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale Hotel located at 6750 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, Ontario, L5N 2L3

Travel Bursary Information and Application

This year, the OACAO Board of Directors have allocated funds to ease the financial burden for OACAO members travelling from greater distances, to support their interest in participating. The bursary is designed to support eligible delegates to subsidize travel and accommodation expenses, including:

• Mileage (travelling by car)
• Train or plane tickets
• Hotel accommodation
• Additional transportation costs (i.e., taxi, train)

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible conference delegates must:

1. Be members or affiliates of a Centre, Seniors Club or organization that is a current member in good standing with the OACAO
2. Travelling from 2 hours or more outside of Mississauga
3. Require financial support to cover the increased cost of travelling to/participating in the conference

Note: The Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale Hotel address to determine Travel Zone: 6750 Mississauga Rd, Mississauga, ON, L5N 2L3.
Applicants will be asked to indicate reasons for requesting the travel bursary to demonstrate the need for support.

Bursary Amounts by Travel Distances

Delegates travelling 2-3 hours from the Conference location 
Bursary Amount: $100

Delegates travelling 3-5 hours from the Conference location 
Bursary Amount: $200

Delegates travelling 5-7 hours from the Conference location
Bursary Amount: $300

Delegates travelling over 7 hours from the Conference location
Bursary Amount: $400

Note: The OACAO Board of Directors will offer the Travel Bursary Program only when financially feasible.

Deadline: The deadline to apply for the travel bursary is September 11, 2026. 
Applicants will be notified if their application is successful by September 18th.
(Note: Conference Early Bird Registration deadline is October 1st)

Click the image below or here for a copy of the Travel Bursary Application Form. 

registration

Showcase Your Products and Services at the 2026 Trade Show

OACAO’s Aging Well Conference will once again feature a dynamic, high‑engagement Trade Show — a premier opportunity for seniors‑serving businesses, organizations, and OACAO Partners to connect with industry leaders and highlight their services and products to Canada’s fastest-growing demographic.

Monday, November 2, 2026

The OACAO will host the 2026 Trade Show at its annual provincial conference at the Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale Hotel in Mississauga.

Building on the success of past Trade Shows — including more than 35 exhibitors — this year’s event offers a powerful platform to highlight your products, services, and innovations to the people who drive decisions, partnerships, and program development across our province.

With a network of 275+ senior centres and organizations, the OACAO reaches more than 200,000 older adults — and the Trade Show connects you directly with the 175 front‑line staff, sector leaders, and volunteers who support seniors in their communities every day. These are the professionals who influence purchasing, shape service delivery, and champion new solutions.

This is your chance to build visibility, strengthen relationships, and position your organization as a leader in the aging‑well space.

Become an Exhibitor at the 2026 Aging Well Trade Show!

OACAO Trade Show Application Form 2026 – FINAL

For More Information Contact Emily Angel: emily@oacao.org

tradeshow

REIMAGINE          REDEFINE       REDISCOVER

Across Ontario, Older Adult Centres are transforming what aging looks like – and the OACAO Aging Well Conference is where that transformation comes to life. Over 2.5 days, leaders, decision makers, innovators, and community builders from across Ontario will gather to reimagine programs, redefine community wellness, and rediscover new possibilities for supporting older adults. With keynote speakers, workshops, networking events, a welcome reception, and a signature gala, the conference offers sponsors a highly engaged audience and meaningful opportunities to build visibility, relationships, and impact.

This year’s conference isn’t just an event; it’s a movement —Join us and align your brand with positive aging, community wellness, and impact that matters!

Why Sponsor

Sponsoring the 2026 Aging Well Conference means joining the organizations shaping the future of aging in Ontario. Your support places you at the centre of a province‑wide movement committed to innovation, inclusion, and community impact.

You’ll Gain

• Direct Access to Decision‑Makers
• Connection with leaders who influence programs, partnerships, and purchasing across
• Access to 275+ Older Adult Centres and community organizations
• Meaningful Engagement Opportunities
• Networking moments designed for conversation, collaboration, and relationship‑building
• High‑Visibility Brand Presence
• Brand showcasing before, during, and after conference via website, program recognition, signage, email, and on-site acknowledgment
• Alignment With a Sector‑Wide Movement

Position your organization as part of the team focused on positive aging and community wellness and discovering new possibilities for older adults across Ontario

OACAO 2026 Aging Well Conference Sponsorship Package – Fillable

 Contact Emily Angel at emily@oacao.org.

Toll free: 1-866-835-7693,

Local: 905-584-8125.

We look forward to partnering with you!

sponsorspartners

Stay Tuned for the 2026 Aging Well Conference Details!

In the meantime…for a taste of how your conference experience will look, please refer to last year’s Aging Well Conference Overview.

The 2025 Aging Well Conference Overview

Sunday Evening Welcome Reception with Networking and Music Bingo

The Conference kicked off at our Sunday Reception! Delegates enjoyed light refreshments while connecting with fellow attendees, sharing experiences, and meeting peers from across Ontario. This was the perfect way to spark new ideas, build relationships, and set the tone for 2 days of learning and inspiration.

Music Bingo
It’s bingo with a beat! HearCANADA is hosting MUSIC BINGO- Music from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Sing along (if you want), laugh with friends, and maybe even win a prize—no music skills required, just bring your ears and enthusiasm!

Monday Gala with Entertainment and Silent Auction

Join us for an unforgettable night of dining and entertainment! Enjoy a delicious buffet-style dinner, followed by a captivating performance from Sawyer Bullock—an international, award-winning magician and mentalist. Known for his unique blend of wit and trickery, Sawyer has been featured at TIFF, Canada’s Wonderland, Massey Hall, and the Toronto Centre for the Arts. He has starred in three seasons of his own television show with Rogers Broadcasting, sold out theatres across Ontario, and performed internationally in Las Vegas, Korea, the Dominican Republic, and Rwanda. Prepare to be amazed!

Goose Chase Virtual Scavenger Hunt

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.

Networking Opportunities

The Aging Well Conference is more than a learning experience—it’s a chance to connect. Throughout the event, you’ll have opportunities to meet peers, share ideas, and spark collaborations with professionals, service providers, and community leaders from across Ontario. Whether it’s over coffee breaks, at the trade show, or during social events, these connections are designed to inspire partnerships that strengthen the sector and support healthy aging.

socialevents

Who Do I Contact?

I am interested in being a speaker or am a speaker for the Conference.

Please contact info@oacao.org for more information.

I am interested in being a sponsor for the Conference.

Please contact emily@oacao.org for more information.

I am interested in being an exhibitor at the Trade Show at Conference.

Please contact emily@oacao.org for more information.

I am interested in providing a delegate bag insert.

Please contact emily@oacao.org for more information.

I would like to learn more about the Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario.

Please visit www.oacao.org/about-oacao for more information.

I would like to become a member of the Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario.

Please visit www.oacao.org/membership/become-a-member/ for more information.

I am interested in volunteering.

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.

faqs

2025 Recap

For an overview of last year’s OACAO AGING WELL Conference, please see the 2025 Brochure 

What an incredible few days! The 2025 OACAO Conference was more than just sessions and speakers — it was about people coming together, sharing stories, and building connections that strengthen and support Seniors in our communities.

🌟 From the laughter in the hallways to the thoughtful conversations in workshops, every moment reflected the spirit of collaboration and care that defines OACAO, their Members and Partners.

📸 We’ve collected some of our favourite snapshots from the event to help you relive the energy, joy, and inspiration. Take a look through the photos and celebrate the amazing community that made this year’s conference so special.

 

2025conferencerecap