MAKE YOUR MARK! CONFERENCE
September 18-19, 2025
Holiday Inn & Suites Des Moines-Northwest | 4800 Merle Hay Rd, Urbandale, IA 50322
This year's event is the 12th annual Make Your Mark! Conference. The last 11 conferences have brought Iowans with disabilities, direct care support professionals, parents and family members, and other disability advocates together to increase civic engagement, advocacy and leadership skills.
THEME: GAME ON! IT'S TIME TO ADVOCATE
This year's theme encourages us to approach advocacy with strategy, determination, and teamwork. Just like in a game, every player counts and every move is important. We want to empower Iowans with disabilities to take action, overcome challenges, and advocate for a community that includes everyone.
It’s time to roll the dice, make your move, and play your part in advocating for change!
WHO WILL ATTEND THE MYM! CONFERENCE?
The Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council) Make Your Mark! Conference is geared toward Iowans with disabilities who want to be more involved in advocacy at a local, state, or federal level. Parents, family members, caregivers, direct support professionals, and other disability advocates are also expected to be in attendance.
MIA PETERSON SELF-ADVOCACY AWARD
Mia Peterson was a self-advocate who dedicated her life to advocating for individuals with disabilities.
Through her ongoing efforts, she successfully helped make meaningful changes within the disability community. After Mia passed away in 2021, we created the Mia Peterson Self-Advocacy Award in her honor, to recognize an Iowan with a disability who embodies Mia’s legacy and works to advocate for the rights of all people with disabilities.
Exhibitor and Sponsor Opportunities
Interested in being a sponsor? All sponsor opportunities include exhibitor space!
Full list of options coming soon.
Conference Video
Check out some of the excitement from last year's event.
700 2nd Avenue Suite 101
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
P (800) 452-1936
This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $774,176 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.