Logo for the 2025 NADSP Conference: Elevate

2025 NADSP Conference: Elevate

When it comes to issues affecting direct support professionals – wages, benefits, professional development, recognition, career advancement, appreciation, and so many more – what do we need to do? Elevate. And that’s exactly what we’re exploring at the 2025 NADSP Conference: Elevate, which takes place at the Buffalo Convention Center in Buffalo, NY from 9/8/25 – 9/10/25.

Join us for the only event in the human services field that’s solely focused on direct support professionals, where we’ll celebrate their transformative work, identify solutions to complex challenges, cover cutting-edge practices in service delivery, and create lasting connections among professionals.

While the 2025 NADSP Conference: Elevate serves as the kickoff to National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, it will push the disability services sector to go well beyond week-long acknowledgement efforts. Instead, this event aims to help make a lasting impact and bolster NADSP’s mission to “elevate the status of direct support professionals by improving practice standards, promoting system reform, and advancing their knowledge, skills and values.”

Register For The Event

Registration information will be available in March. We encourage you to subscribe to NADSP emails and social media channels for the latest updates. Our team has been working diligently to ensure a seamless registration experience that caters to the needs of all our valued attendees.

Please note the pricing structure for the upcoming NADSP Conference. Take advantage of our Early Bird rates by registering before May 31 to save.

“Elevate Everyday” Conference & Pre-Conference (Sept 8-10)

  • DSP / FLS, Self-Advocate, Parent: $450 (Early Bird) | $600 (Standard)
  • Other Professionals: $650 (Early Bird) | $800 (Standard)

“Elevate” Conference (Sept 9 & 10)

  • DSP / FLS, Self-Advocate, Parent: $300 (Early Bird) | $400 (Standard)
  • Other Professionals: $500 (Early Bird) | $600 (Standard)

Registration will open shortly. Secure your spot at the best possible rate!

 

Book Your Hotel & View Travel Information

In the heart of Buffalo, Hyatt Regency Buffalo / Hotel and Conference Center offers a unique blend of entertainment and convenience.

The 2025 NADP Conference: Elevate is the only event in the human services field that’s solely focused on direct support professionals, where we’ll celebrate their transformative work, identify solutions to complex challenges, cover cutting-edge practices in service delivery, and create lasting connections among professionals. The conference takes place from 9/8/25 – 9/10/25 at the Buffalo Convention Center in Buffalo, New York.

NADSP has secured a discounted hotel room rate of $189 per night (not including taxes/fees) at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo. This hotel is connected to the Buffalo Convention Center where our event will take place.  While the discounted room rate expires on August 7, 2025, it is likely that the hotel block will be filled prior to that date. With that, NADSP recommends that attendees book their hotel stay as soon as possible. Discounted rates for the hotel are available September 7-11, 2025.

 

 

Hyatt Regency Buffalo / Hotel and Conference Center

Two Fountain Plaza, Buffalo, New York 14202 United States

Attendees can book a room reservation via our booking site or call 888-591-1234 and use reference code G-NADP when booking.

Click here to book your stay.

 

Book Hotel >

Submit A Presentation Proposal

NADSP invites you to help us build this momentous event! We are now accepting proposals for presentations at the 2025 NADSP Conference:Elevate. Our conference is dedicated to providing national recognition and celebration for direct support professionals (DSPs) while offering valuable opportunities for learning, networking, and collaboration. This event also marks the kickoff of National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week.

During the conference, we will honor outstanding contributions to the field by presenting:

  • The John F. Kennedy Jr. Award for Direct Support Workforce Advocacy & Leadership
  • The Hingsburger Humanitarian Award

Guidelines for Submission

We invite you to submit a proposal for a session presentation to be offered at our 2025 conference. We encourage innovative and creative presentations that are aligned with the NADSP Code of Ethics and Competencies.

As part of NADSP’s commitment to amplify and celebrate diverse voices in the workforce, we strongly encourage individuals from historically marginalized communities to submit proposals. Marginalized populations are groups that experience discrimination and exclusion—social, political, or economic—due to systemic inequities across various dimensions.

The Call for Proposals will be released in early March 2025. Stay tuned for more details on how to submit!

Support DSPs Through Sponsorship & Exhibiting

We’re excited to announce that sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities for our upcoming conference will be available soon. Stay tuned for more details on how you can showcase your organization and support the direct support workforce.

Sponsoring the NADSP 2025 Conference provides a unique opportunity to support direct support professionals (DSPs) while increasing your organization’s visibility among key stakeholders in the field. As a sponsor, you will have the chance to engage with a passionate audience, demonstrate your commitment to the direct support workforce, and align your brand with NADSP’s mission of elevating and empowering DSPs nationwide.

View The Event Agenda

This three-day conference features a mix of keynotes, breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and special events designed to engage attendees. Final detailed Agenda will be available June 2025. 

September 8, 2025

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM – Pre-Conference Registration
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Pre-Conference A
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Pre-Conference B
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Pre-Conference C
 *Dinner on your own

September 9, 2025

6:30 AM – 4:00 PM – Full Conference Registration Opens
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Breakfast
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM – Welcome & Opening Remarks
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM – Keynote 1
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM – Break with Exhibitors

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM – Breakout Sessions 1:

  • Breakout 1A
  • Breakout 1B
  • Breakout 1C
  • Breakout 1D

11:45 AM – 12:00 PM – Break
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Breakout Sessions 2:

  • Breakout 2A
  • Breakout 2B
  • Breakout 2C
  • Breakout 2D

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM – Break

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Breakout Sessions 3:

  • Breakout 3A
  • Breakout 3B
  • Breakout 3C
  • Breakout 3D

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM – Break
3:45 PM – 4:45 PM –  DSP Innovation Event
4:45 PM – 5:00 PM – Awards Presentation
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM – Reception

*Dinner on your own

September 10, 2025

7:00 AM – 8:45 AM – Registration & Breakfast
8:45 AM – 9:00 AM – Welcome & Introductions

9:15 AM – 10:15 AM – Breakout Sessions 4:

  • Breakout 4A
  • Breakout 4B
  • Breakout 4C
  • Breakout 4D

10:15 AM – 10:45 AM – Connections Break
10:45 AM – 1:00 PM – Exhibitor Breakdown
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM – Keynote 2
11:45 AM – 12:00 PM – Conference Wrap-Up

Learn About The Attendee Experience

We’re excited to be introducing new elements to our conference, designed to enhance the attendee experience and create even more opportunities for engagement, learning, and connection or direct support professionals. This area will contain information regarding our app, accessibility, networking and wellness. Be sure to check this section out late spring.