FAQs
OPRA Great Provider Summit: FAQs
General
When and where is the Summit?
The 2026 OPRA Great Provider Summit will take place May 6–8, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio.
What’s included with registration?
Your Summit registration includes:
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Welcome Reception (food & drinks)
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Thursday: breakfast & lunch
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Thursday: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame evening event (includes admission, roundtrip transfers, & food/beverage)
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Friday continental breakfast & brunch
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Refreshment breaks throughout the conference
Registration
What are the registration fees?
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OPRA Member: $400
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Non-Member: $600
Can I make changes after I register (name, sessions, etc.)?
Yes—email mfannon@opra.org to update your registration details.
What is the cancellation/refund policy?
Full refunds, excluding a $100 administrative fee, will be granted for registrations canceled on or before April 5, 2026. Unfortunately, no refunds will be processed on or after April 5, 2026.
Hotel & Travel
Where are attendees staying?
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Host Hotel: Hilton Cleveland Downtown
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Overflow Hotel: Cleveland Marriott Downtown
How do I book the discounted room rate?
You’ll receive the hotel reservation link for the negotiated room rate after completing your registration.
Is parking available?
Parking options vary by hotel. Parking details will be provided with your hotel reservation information.
Schedule & Sessions
When does the Summit start and end?
Programming begins on Wednesday, May 6, and concludes on Friday, May 8.
Is there pre-conference training?
Yes. Pre-Conference Training takes place Wednesday, May 6 (1:00–3:00 PM).
Accessibility & Accommodations
How do I request mobility/access accommodations?
On the registration form, select Yes under Mobility & Accessibility Needs & describe what you need (e.g., wheelchair/scooter access, reserved seating, step-free routes).
How do I share dietary needs or food allergies?
Please list any food allergies or dietary restrictions in the field provided during registration.
How do I request hearing accommodations?
If hearing accommodations are needed, please indicate that in the registration form.
Exhibitors & Sponsors
Will there be exhibitors and sponsors?
Yes—attendees will have multiple opportunities to connect with Summit sponsors & exhibitors throughout the event.
Will my email be shared with exhibitors?
Your registration form includes a choice regarding exhibitor communications.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Evening Event (if you want it in FAQs)
Is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame event included?
Yes. Your ticket includes admission, roundtrip transfers, and food/beverage. Please pick up your ticket at the TrailBlaze booth (presenting sponsor).
What should I wear?
Rock your favorite concert t-shirt—bonus points if it’s vintage.
Contact
Who do I contact with questions?
For registration, hotel, or general Summit questions, please contact mfannon@opra.org
General Conference Questions?
Contact Melissa Fannon, Director of Events & Strategic Partnerships
Schedule
OPRA Great Provider Summit
May 7 - 8, 2026
Summit Registration
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OPRA Member Rate: $400
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Non-Member Rate: $600
SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS
Ready for It – Pre-Conference Training
Wednesday, May 6 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Start Me Up – Welcome Reception & Exhibitor Showcase
Wednesday, May 6 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
We Will Rock You – OPRA Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Event!
Thursday, May 7 | 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Summit Headline Sponsor
Questions?
Contact Melissa Fannon, Director of Events & Strategic Partnerships
Exhibit Hall is sold out!
If you would like to sponsor - we do have other options!
OPRA Great Provider Summit Sponsors
Headline
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Presented by
Platinum
Bronze
Breakfast
Sessions
Contact Melissa Fannon, OPRA Director of Events & Strategic Partnerships for more information: mfannon@opra.org
Hotel & Travel
Hotel Reservations
You’ll receive the booking link for OPRA’s discounted room rate after you complete your registration.
- Host Hotel: Hilton Cleveland Downtown
- Overflow Hotel: Marriott Cleveland Downtown
Questions?
Contact Melissa Fannon, Director of Events & Strategic Partnerships: mfannon@opra.org
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| Wed. 05/06 1:00pm - 3:00pm |
Ready For It: Pre-Conference Training Leading Through Change: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Build What’s Next - Molly McGuigan, Bellflower Street, LLC |
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| Wed. 05/06 4:00pm - 5:00pm |
Start Me Up: Exhibitor Showcase Welcome Reception |
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| Thurs. 05/07 9:00am - 9:20am |
Happy Together: Opening & Welcome |
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| 10 Min. Break (Transfer to Sessions) |
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| Thurs. 05/07 Breakout Sessions 9:30am - 10:30am |
Come Together:Executive Leadership |
One Way or Another:Program Design & Innovation |
Taking Care of Business:Business, Finance & Operations |
We Are the Champions:Supervision & Workforce |
I Won't Back Down:Advocacy & Innovation |
| Breakout Session 1 | Breakout Session 2 | Breakout Session 3 | Breakout Session 4 | Breakout Session 5 | |
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Tech-Enabled Independence: How Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration Is Reimaging DD Service Models |
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Seasonal Wellness
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The Soundtrack
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Jamie Steele
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Ken Smith, NextGen AT
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Steve Colecchi, Hattie Larlham
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Deb Maloy
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Bethany Toledo-McCray, Lighthouse Cove &
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| 30 Min. Break | |||||
| Thurs. 05/07 Sponsored Sessions 11:00am - 12:00pm |
We Can Work It Out:Giv. |
We Can Work It Out:Gladegy |
We Can Work It Out:Smart Living Systems |
We Can Work It Out:TrailBlaze Creative |
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| Sponsored Session 1 | Sponsored Session 2 | Sponsored Session 3 | Sponsored Session 4 | ||
Resilience on Purpose:
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Leadership Momentum: Protecting Your Mission Through Executive Continuity |
Expect the Unexpected:
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Change is Inevitable. Chaos is Optional. |
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Danny Laneri & Alec Fowler Giv. |
Stacy Sufka
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Hannah Eldridge, LADD, Inc. Jerome Kidd & Shawn Thorpe Louisa Ridge |
Tim Hindes & Erin Sogal TrailBlaze Creative |
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| Thurs. 05/07 11:00am - 12:00pm |
Exhibitor Lunch |
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| Thurs. 05/07 12:00pm - 1:00pm |
Attendee Lunch | ||||
| Thurs. 05/07 Breakout Sessions 1:00pm - 2:00pm |
Come Together:Executive Leadership |
One Way or Another:Program Design & Innovation |
Taking Care of Business:Business, Finance & Operations |
We Are the Champions:Supervision & Workforce |
I Won't Back Down:Advocacy & Innovation |
| Breakout Session 6 | Breakout Session 7 | Breakout Session 8 | Breakout Session 9 | Breakout Session 10 | |
Ohio's Policy and Business Landscape:
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AI Meets IDD:
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The Rising Cost of Employee Medical Benefits - Unpacking Myths, Strategies that Work, Hope for the Future |
The Training Revolution: Why DSP Training Determines Retention & Quality Care |
Thriving as a Neurodivergent Professional: Unlocking Your Unique Potential |
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Still Confirming |
Patrick McKinney
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Paul Nachtwey
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Joel Carson
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Heather Janci
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| 30 Min. Break | |||||
| Thurs. 05/07 Breakout Sessions 2:30pm - 3:30pm |
Come Together:Executive Leadership |
One Way or Another:Program Design & Innovation |
Taking Care of Business:Business, Finance & Operations |
We Are the Champions:Supervision & Workforce |
I Won't Back Down:Advocacy & Innovation |
| Breakout Session 11 | Breakout Session 12 | Breakout Session 13 | Breakout Session 14 | Breakout Session 15 | |
From Context to Strategy: Leading Organizations Through Change |
Growing Community and Opportunity: The HELP Harvest Model |
ICF Reimbursement Update & Benchmarking Trends |
Avoiding The Ambiguity Abyss: The Vague Burn-Out |
The Funding Future of Ohio’s Medicai Program |
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Stacy DiStefano
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Tami Honkala, Susan Berneike & Allison Briskey
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TJ Ely & Denise Leonard
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Sarah Davies
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Christine Touvelle
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| Thurs. 05/07 6:00pm - 9:30pm |
We Will Rock You!: OPRA Encore at the Rock Hall Event | ||||
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| Fri. 05/08 8:00am - 9:00am |
Wake Me Up: Continental Breakfast |
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| Fri. 05/08 9:00am - 10:00am |
Session 16 - The Final Countdown: General Session Looking Ahead: State Leadership Perspectives for the Final Months of the DeWine Administration - Directors Panel (DODD, OOD & ODM) |
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| Fri. 05/08 10:00am - 11:00am |
Breakfast at Tiffany's: Attendee/Exhibitor Brunch | ||||
| 30 Min. Break | |||||
| Fri. 05/08 11:30am - 12:00pm |
Session 17 - Who Are You: General Session Who Are We, Really? Clarity, Distinction and Direction in a Changing System - Stacy DiStefano, Consulting for Human Services |
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| 15 Min. Break | |||||
| Fri. 05/08 12:15pm - 1:15pm |
Session 18 - Let it Be: Closing Keynote Creating a Positive and Mindful Workplace Culture - Pandit Dasa, Work Mindful Corp. |
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