The Arc Maryland 2026 Statewide Convention & Awards Banquet
Description
Join The Arc Maryland, our partner local chapters of The Arc, people with intellectual & developmental disabilities, family members, professionals, legislators, and partners from around the state at The Arc Maryland's 2026 Statewide Convention & Awards Banquet. The event will take place on May 28th at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, with a Self-Advocate Summit on May 27th, the day before the Convention.
For many decades, The Arc has been a constant, enduring force for families. We advocate and educate to advance civil rights, equity, inclusion, accessibility, kindness, and more—because we must. When the going gets tough, we get moving, powered by people: the inherent value of each human being in our ecosystem, and we embrace the beautiful differences of all. This year's Convention theme, Limitless, is a reflection of how we see people with IDD, their families, and the communities we build together.
While the world may sometimes focus on perceived limitations of those around us, we see endless possibilities. Every day, individuals with IDD show us what’s possible when opportunity, support, and belief come together. Limitless celebrates their courage, creativity, and strength, and reminds us that when barriers are removed, potential knows no bounds. Together, we will continue to expand inclusion, break down barriers, and inspire fellow Marylanders to see what we have always known to be true: there are no limits to what our community can achieve.
New this year, The Arc Maryland is hosting a Pre-Convention Self-Advocate Summit on Wednesday, May 27th. With so many changes to services and supports, many of us are wondering “Where We Go From Here?” It is time to join together with other self-advocates to forge a path forward - to protect our rights and advance our plans for the future. Your voices are strong and needed to shape the future we want for Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities!
In morning sessions, attendees will discuss civil rights movements that got us to this point, marriage rights and equality, and tools to expand personal and professional networks. In the afternoon, we will design a path forward-together- to protect, charge, and elevate the self-advocate voice for change on the local, state, and national level.
Members of the current (2025-26) MCE Leadership and Partners in Policymaking® classes will be pre-registered for the Convention and Awards Banquet. If you wish to participate in the Self-Advocate Summit, you will have to purchase a ticket separately.
Schedule:
Self-Advocate Pre-Convention Summit | |
Wednesday, May 27th | Details |
9:30 AM | Check-in for Self-Advocate Summit Opens |
10:00 AM to 12:30 PM | Self-Advocate Summit Part 1 |
12:30 to 1:30 PM | Summit Lunch |
1:30 to 4:00 PM | Self-Advocate Summit Part 2 |
7:30 to 9:30 PM | Talk and Tunes with The Arc (Open to Summit and Convention Attendees - Select this add-on when you are at the ticketing page) |
Statewide Convention & Awards Banquet | |
Thursday, May 28th | Details |
7:30 AM | Registration and Exhibitor Tables for Statewide Convention Open |
8:00 to 9:30 AM | The Arc Maryland Annual Meeting and Chapter |
9:30 to 10:15 AM | Plenary Session (click here for presentation and speaker information) |
10:30 to 11:15 AM | Breakout Session 1 (click here for presentation and speaker information) |
11:20 to 11:50 AM | Micro Session (Legislative Wrap Up) and Break (click here for presentation and speaker information) |
12:00 to 2:00 PM | Luncheon & Statewide Awards Celebration (click here for awards information) |
2:15 to 3:00 PM | Breakout Session 2 (click here for presentation and speaker information) |
3:15 to 4:00 PM | Breakout Session 3 (click here for presentation and speaker information) |
3:30 to 4:45 PM | Evolving Leaders Program Happy Hour (Invite-only, for past, current, and prospective Evolving Leaders Program participants, as well as chapter leaders.) |
Thank You To Our 2026 Sponsors!
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Friends:
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