RSVPs are now full for 2026 CoAct Project Symposium.
If you’re still interested in attending or sponsoring, please email
[email protected]
to inquire about potential availability or to be added to the waiting list.
Join Marbridge’s Senior Leadership Team, Board of Trustees, and executives from around the country for the 12th annual CoAct Project Symposium, a national leadership symposium for post-secondary providers which brings together leaders, organizations, and like-minded professionals in the field of intellectual disability.
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Dates
April 15-17, 2026
Kick-off Networking Dinner: Wednesday, April 15 at 6:00 p.m.
Symposium ends the afternoon of Friday, April 17 at 1:45 p.m.
See the full agenda below
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Lodging
Discounted rooms have been booked, but there is still availability at usual rates
Transportation from designated hotel provided
Home2 Suites by Hilton – Austin South I-35
8415 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78745
Agenda
Wednesday, April 15
Wednesday, April 15
- 6:00pm – Networking Welcome Dinner at Doc’s Backyard Bar and Grill (5207 Brodie Ln #100, Sunset Valley, TX 78745)
Thursday, April 16
Thursday, April 16
- 7:30am – Registration and Full Breakfast provided by Marbridge
- 8:30am – Welcome and Introduction
- 9:00am – Keynote Speaker – John and Mark Cronin-John’s Crazy Socks
- 10:30am – Break
- 10:45am – John Raffaele – Director of Educational Services NADSP
- Topic: Creating a Culture of Competence/Retention Strategies for Direct Support Professionals (DSP’s)
- 11:30am – Networking and Lunch provided by Marbridge – update from Together for Choice
- 12:30pm – Tour of Marbridge campus
- 1:30pm – Dr. Karyn Harvey
- Topic: IDD and Aging
- 3:00pm – Break
- 3:15pm – Breakouts
- Topic #1: IDD and Aging, Facilitator Dr. Karyn Harvey
- Topic #2: Recruitment/Retention Strategies for DSP’s, John Raffaele
- Topic #3: Founders/Start-up Circle: Krista Mason – Benjamin’s Hope, Pete Hixson – Beyond Communities, Cheri Weaver – WINGSOK, Kelly Baughman – Project Beacon
- 4:30pm – Break: Taking Care of Business
- 5:15pm – Depart Marbridge for networking dinner (transportation provided)
- 6:00pm – Networking Dinner at Trattoria Lisina (13308 FM 150 West, Driftwood, TX 78619)
Friday, April 17
Friday, April 17
- 8:00am – Check In and Full Breakfast provided by Marbridge
- 9:00am – Dr. Keivan Stassun
- Topic: Advancing Science and Technology for Individuals with Autism and IDD
- 10:30am – Break
- 10:45am – Amy Lutz
- Topic: Severe Autism and IDD
- 11:45am – Networking and Lunch provided by Marbridge
- 12:30pm – Tour of Marbridge campus
- 1:30pm – Adjourn
Shuttle Schedule
Shuttle Schedule
- Wednesday, April 15 – shuttle will depart the Home2 Suites 5:30pm for dinner at Docs Backyard, returning to Home 2 at approximately 8:00pm.
- Thursday, April 16 – shuttle will depart the Home 2 Suites for Marbridge at 7:00am. Shuttle will depart Marbridge 5:15pm for dinner, arriving at Trattoria Lisina by 6:00pm. Shuttle will then return guests to Home 2 after dinner.
- Friday, April 17 – shuttle will depart Home 2 Suites at 7:30am, returning guests to Home 2 at approximately 1:45pm.
The 2026 CoAct Project Symposium is proudly sponsored by
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Frost Bank
Blue Level Sponsor
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Gordon Hartman
Blue Level Sponsor
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Beyond Communities
Orange Level Sponsor
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Brightstone
Orange Level Sponsor
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Tarrytown Pharmacy
Orange Level Sponsor
