Aging Well Conference

2024 Conference Volunteers

Conference Chair: Sue Hesjedahl 

Program Committee: Sarah Feeney-Martin, Karie Papillon, Julie Pennal, Dena Silverberg, Kelly Meeussen, Kara Miller, Pierre Benoit, Wendy Caceres-Speakman, Léo Lavergne, Robin Mech and Sue Hesjedahl

Social Committee: Lisa Tobio, Donna St Martin, Dena Silverberg and Anna Do

Trade Show: Lina Zita

Registration/Delegate Bags: OACAO Admin Team

Marketing/Promotion: Lina Zita, Erica Rizzi, Victoria Stewart

Hotel/Logistics: Sue Hesjedahl, Donna St Martin

Sponsorship: Sue Hesjedahl, Leisa Davie

Volunteers: Wendy Caceres-Speakman

Travel Bursary: Bill Krever, Wendy Caceres-Speakman, Nora Jones, Donna St Martin and Sue Hesjedahl

* (Chair/Co-Chairs are bolded)

Volunteer opportunities are still available. Please contact info@oacao.org.

Full conference and single day registration options are available.

Sunday October 27, 2024

1:00 – 5:30PM: Pre-Conference Powerups – Social Prescribing & French Language Sessions
5:30 – 6:30 PM: Break
6:30 – 8:30 PM: Networking Reception – join us to get to know other conference delegates, meet the OACAO board and enjoy a selection of appetizers and cash bar!

Monday, October 28, 2024

7:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Registration and Information
7:15 – 8:15 AM: Breakfast
8:00 AM: Conference Kick-Off & Indigenous Welcome
8:30 AM: Opening Keynote Speaker – Pete Bombaci, GenWell: The Power of Building a Culture of Human Connection
9:45 – 10:45 AM: Breakout Session A
10:45 – 11:30 AM: Trade Show
11:45 – 12:45 PM: Breakout Session B
12:45 – 2:30 PM: Lunch & Tradeshow
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM: Greeting from Minister Raymond Cho / Prize Draws and Sponsor Thank You’s
3:00 – 4:00 PM: Breakout Session C
4:15 – 5:00 PM: Networking Breakout Sessions
5:00 – 6:00 PM: Free Time
5:30 PM: Pre-Dinner Social with cash bar
6:00 PM: Dinner followed by Entertainment & Dancing With the Fiddlestix Band!

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Note: Tuesday offers plenary sessions for the duration of the day.

7:00 – 7:30 AM: Morning Movement – Yoga Stretch and Group Walk 
7:30 – 8:30 AM: Breakfast
8:15 – 8:45 AM: Dr. Dion Neame – Heath and Wellness Presentation
8:45 – 9:15 AM: Mathew Varsava – Minister’s Office, MSAA – Interactive Question & Answer Session: Ask About MSAA Programs and Other Ministry Programs
9:15 – 10:00 AM: Dr. Paula Rochon – Women’s Age Lab, Women’s College Hospital: Rethinking Aging: The Opportunities Ahead
10:00 – 10:30 AM: Refreshments & Hotel Check-out
10:30 – 12:00 PM: Lightning Talks
12:00 – 12:45 PM: Lunch
12:45 – 1:45 PM: Chris Bint – Tech Coaches – Beyond Fear: Embracing AI (Artificial Intelligence) in a World Reshaped by Technology
1:45 – 2:00 PM: Break & Prize Draws
2:00- 3:00 PM: Jennie Queen – Jennie Queen Coaching – Thriving Everyday: Navigating Work & Life

**Order of events may change as the program is developed.

Join us for an inspiring and informative event designed to connect, educate, and empower those working to support seniors. You can find all the details, including the full conference schedule, sessions, and speaker lineup, in our brochure, now available for download on our website (click on the image to the left). Don’t miss out—register today and secure your spot! The Registration deadline is October 16, 2024.

Registration deadline is Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Conference Packages & Fees

New for 2024: Conference Travel Bursary

This year, the OACAO Board of Directors has allocated funds to assist OACAO members traveling from greater distances, facilitating their participation in the conference. The travel bursary aims to subsidize eligible delegates’ travel and accommodation expenses. Please find the eligibility criteria, bursary amounts and other details on the attached Application Form. Deadline to submit is now closed, questions can be directed to info@oacao.org.

Book Your Accommodations

Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale (6750 Mississauga Road, Mississauga).

Delegates are responsible for booking their own reservations directly. The OACAO Room Block is SOLD OUT.

Call 1-800-445-8667 with Group Code: OACAO 2024 or contact sue@oacao.org for assistance.

Monday Gala Dinner and Entertainment

Join us for an unforgettable evening at our Monday Gala! Enjoy a buffet-style dinner, then dance the night away with a high-energy performance from the Fiddlestix band!

Join us Monday night for an epic evening of entertainment featuring the Fiddlestix performing high energy, fun for all ages. The Fiddlestix will light up any party or event! With their energizing original songs and a blend of popular songs and famous classics, the band masterfully gets everyone on the dance floor! Wear your dancing shoes.

Monday Silent Auction

We have many exciting auction items up for grab live and online. All you need to do is click or bid and win! It is that simple! All funds raised will continue to allow OACAO to do what it does best – provide more services, education and resources to support the needs of our members. Thank you for your support!

Online Silent Auction: https://www.32auctions.com/2024oacao. Online auction closes Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 3:00pm EDT.

Halloween Costume Contest

Show off your creativity with your best Halloween costume at our Monday Gala Dinner! Win prizes for best costume, most innovative costume, and best group costume!

GooseChase

Join in for a 3-day virtual scavenger hunt using the Goosechase App! Get to know other conference delegates and our OACAO Business
Partners and win fun prizes. The GooseChase App must be downloaded prior to conference to participate: www.goosechase.com

Exhibitor List

• Access Abilities
• Age-Friendly Consulting
• Alzheimer Society of Ontario
• Amica Credit Mills
• Arbor Memorial
• AYS: Online Community for Thriving Older Adults
• belairdirect
• Brock Functional Inclusive Training Centre
• Canadian Hearing Services
• Catholic Community Services of York Region
• Cedarhurst Dementia Care Home
• Chartwell Retirement Residences
• Conestoga College – Custom Training Solutions
• Evear Hearing
• Gerry Connect
• GLA Rehab
• GreenShield Pharmacy
• HearCANADA
• HearingLife Canada
• Heart to Home Meals
• HelpAge Canada
• Human Endeavour
• Insuranceland Inc
• MedicAlert Foundation Canada
• Medline Canada
• Men’s Shed Canada
• Mood Walks (CMHA, Ontario Division)
• MySeniorCenter
• Nurse Next Door
• OASSIS Employee Benefits Plans
• OAKS – Older Adults Knowledge Sharing
• Ontario Caregiver Organization
• Ontario Personal Support Workers Association
• Ontario Securities Commission
• Patient Ombudsman
• Prime Communications (Rogers)
• Pro Plus Tech
• Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority
• Senior Discovery Tours
• Senior Women Living Together
• Service Canada
• Solus Support Services
• Spectrum Health Care
• TripOppo Inc.
• Tuktu Care
• Volunteer Success

For any questions, please contact Lina Zita, Development and Marketing Coordinator, Toll free: 1-866-835-7693, Local: 905-584-8125, Email: coordinator@oacao.org.