2026 Conference

We’re All In This Together

Wed, May 27
Thurs, May 28
Fri, May 29

Wednesday, May 27

Conference Map

12:00 pm ⦿ Set Up & Registration

12:00-1:30 pm ⦿ Sky Bar ⦿ Service Provider Exhibits Setup

1:30-4:30 pm ⦿ Registration Opens

3:00pm ⦿ MRA President’s Welcome & Service Provider Exhibits Open

⦿Sky Bar

3:00-3:15 pm ⦿ MRA Welcome
William Dooley, Asst Director of VR Mental Health Services, MRA President
Michael Kiener, Ph.D., CRC, Maryville University, MRA Past President
Carol Rothove, 1st Choice Employment Agency, MRA President Elect

3:15-3:45 pm ⦿ Service Provider Recognition: Elizabeth Perkins, Coordinator, Programs, MO Vocational Rehabilitation

3:45 ⦿ Opening Keynote

Looking beyond the surface: Strategies for uncovering hidden workplace opportunities

Dr. Gina Oswald, PhD., CRC, CVE, NBC-HWC, Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability, Cornell University

Which industries seem to be resistance to employment services or underrepresented in employment outcomes of people with disabilities? What are the current trending jobs that have staying power in an evolving world of work? This keynote will provide practical strategies for identifying and engaging with largely untapped labor industries. Topics to be covered include employment opportunities in rural regions, niche and regional industries, entrepreneurship and makerspace utilization, and jobs of the future. 

5:15 ⦿ Dinner

Dinner (Missouri Cookout) ⦿ Sky Bar
First Night Networking ⦿ Game Night
Drinks Sponsored by Missouri Welding Institute  

Conference Map

Thursday, May 28

8:00 am ⦿ Introduction

⦿ Sky Bar

8:00-9:00 am ⦿ Registration Opens & Hot Breakfast (Traditional Buffet)

8:45-9:00 am ⦿ Kick Off Pep Talk: Chris Clause, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Adult Learning and Rehabilitation Services, DESE

9:00-10:00 am ⦿ Morning Welcome: Empowering Possibilities: Building Career Literacy to Unlock Opportunities – Rebecca Kessler, Education & Integration Specialist, The DeBruce Foundation

10:00–10:15 am ⦿ Exhibitors/Relax N’ Recharge Break

10:15 am ⦿ Break Out Session #1

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11:15 am ⦿ Relax N’ Recharge Break

Lower Event Center ⦿Missouri ReEntry Simulation

Sky Bar ⦿ Exhibitors

11:30 am ⦿ Break Out Session #2

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12:30 pm ⦿ Awards Luncheon

⦿‍ Sky Bar

Emcee Kimberly Pudlowski, Director, MU Pre-ETS

Followed by the Governor’s Council on Disability Awards Presentation

2:30 pm ⦿ Exhibitors, Sky Bar/Relax N’ Recharge Break ⦿‍ Upper Event Center

3:00 pm ⦿ Break Out Session #3

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4:15 pm ⦿ Break Out Session #4

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7:00-9:00 pm ⦿ Puzzle Palooza

⦿‍ Cash Bar, Lower ‍Event Center

Conference Map

Friday, May 29

7:30 am ⦿ Welcome

⦿‍ ‍Sky Bar

7:30 – 8:30 am | Hot Breakfast (South of the Border Buffet) & Morning Business Session

Michael Kiener, MRA Past President

8:45 am ⦿ Break Out Session #5

Select a session to learn more

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10:00 am ⦿ Silent Auction Closes & Conference Announcements

10:30 am ⦿ Closing Keynote

There is No “I” in Team

Steven Ice, Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist, Independent Drivers, LLC

This presentation will focus on the importance of the TEAM effort from professionals for providing services and support for the disabled community throughout their lifespan. This presentation will also focus on the importance of inclusion and independence for everyone, especially those with disabilities.

11:30 am ⦿ Closing

‘Name Tag’ Basket Drawing

Exhibitor Bingo Drawing

Silent Auction Winners