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The application submission deadline is 4:00PM on Friday June 5, 2026
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The Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario (OACAO), founded in 1973, is a non-profit organization providing resources, expertise and leadership to Older Adult Centres, Seniors Active Living Centres (SALCs) and senior groups through advocacy, education, networking, and innovative direction. The Association has a membership of over 270 Centres, organizations and individuals involved in working with over 200,000 older adults across Ontario.

Seeking Presenters for OACAO 2026 Annual Conference

The OACAO Conference Planning Committee would like to invite leaders, educators, researchers, managers, seniors, and students to submit a proposal for presentation at our annual conference AGING WELL: Reimagine, Redefine, Rediscover, to be held in-person Sunday November 1 to Tuesday November 3, 2026 in Mississauga.

Speaking at the 2025 OACAO Aging Well Conference provides you with an opportunity to share and exchange new approaches and information in the areas of older adults and Seniors Active Living Centres (SALCs). You will gain recognition as an expert in the field at the conference and beyond. Our conference has experienced growth each year and we expect attendance of over 175 staff & volunteer leaders from all over Ontario.


This year’s theme Reimagine, Redefine, Rediscover, provides the opportunity to build the future of Senior Active Living and Older Adult Centre programming, welcomes new collaborations and opportunities to activate new innovative ideas for the sector. The OACAO Conference encourages personal and professional development through inspiring and informative learning experiences.
Proposals should support staff and older adult volunteer leaders from municipal and not-for-profit SALCs and older adult centres to Reimagine, Redefine, Rediscover in one of the following program streams. Relevant proposals will be considered for all streams:

Technology & Outreach: AI, digital platforms, personalized tech education for seniors, including online outreach to combat social isolation.

Social Prescribing & Collaboration: Community-based health initiatives, including green prescribing, tailored programs, and engagement with healthcare professionals.

Organizational Development: Policy and procedure development (risk, governance, advocacy), diversity/inclusion initiatives, and capacity building through fundraising, program evaluation, leadership, and

Volunteer and People Management: International Year of Volunteers, aging volunteer cohort/change over of volunteers

People Management: Difficult conversations, supporting different personalities, capacity for supporting higher needs members such as service navigation.

Future-Focused Programming: Addressing the evolving needs of older adults, innovative programs (eg.: Food and mood, seniors boxing, what is the next trend?)
Presentation Formats

A. Workshop Presentations – English
Sessions delivered in English that are between 30 minutes – 60 minutes in length and should allow for a presentation, interaction, and question & answer period or discussion with participants. Most workshop presentations will take place on Monday, November 2nd, 2026. Some topics may be offered on Sunday November 1 or Tuesday November 3, 2026

B. Ateliers présentés en français
Des sessions en français d'une durée de 30 à 60 minutes dans lesquelles nous y retrouvons une présentation, une interaction avec les participants, une période de questions et réponses suivi d'une occasion d'échanges. Ces ateliers auront lieu dimanche 2 Novembre 2026

C. Keynote Presentations – English
Keynote presentations are offered on both Monday and Tuesday of the conference for approximately one hour. If you feel your presentation could be offered as a keynote (energetic, engaging and of interest to our FULL delegation) please select the applicable box in the application form.

D. Lightning Talks
Lightning Talks are quick 7 – 10 minute presentations that are intended to share creative ideas and trends, innovative solutions, and inspiring approaches for cutting edge, “think outside of the box” results to programming and senior services. These are high level presentations meant to share the most important information quickly. Lightning talks will take place on Tuesday with full-delegate participation.

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