MAKE YOUR MARK! CONFERENCE
ATTENDEE REGISTRATION OPENING SOON!
September 18–19, 2024
Gateway Hotel & Conference Center, Ames, Iowa
2024 Conference Theme:
GROW WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED
This year's event is the 11th annual Make Your Mark! Conference. The last 10 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.
Our 2024 theme encourages advocates to take action wherever they are. Being active, resourceful, and able to adjust are important to make a meaningful impact, even when things are not perfect. You can be a successful advocate no matter where you are—in any location or stage of life.
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.
BECOME A PRESENTER
Applications are now being accepted to present a breakout session during the 2024 conference! Press the buttons below to learn more about the requirements and to start your application. You can apply online or download a PDF of the application to submit by mail or email.
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.
Nominations for the 2024 award will open soon!
Exhibitor and Sponsor Opportunities
Interested in being a sponsor? All sponsor opportunities include exhibitor space!
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.