Share Your Voice at the OOTA 2026 Annual Conference!

Conference Theme: Pivot Points: Amplify, Adapt, Advance!

Dates: October 16-17, 2026

Location: Hilton Columbus at Easton, Columbus, OH

Submission Deadline: May 1, 2026

Thank you for your interest in presenting at the OOTA 2026 Annual Conference.

Please carefully review the following information and instructions before completing your submission.

 

💡 Finding Your Pivot Point: Guidance for Your Proposal

The theme Pivot Points: Amplify, Adapt, Advance is an invitation to reflect on the moments of change that shape us. We’re looking for presentations that explore those turning points, big or small, that alter a trajectory.

This could be a shift in your professional practice, a change in a long-held habit, or a moment when your understanding of something deepened in an unexpected way. Often, a single, seemingly small “pivot” can have ripple effects, creating impact far greater than initially imagined.

We invite you to share your own pivot points. Your presentation could focus on:

  • A clinical insight that changed your professional approach
  • A new habit in your personal or professional life that amplified your effectiveness or well-being
  • How you adapted a traditional intervention for an emerging practice area
  • Recent research is changing/challenging our profession’s understanding of an issue
  • Advocacy efforts that started as small conversations and grew into policy change

We are seeking a diverse range of topics and skill levels.

Whether your pivot point sparked a personal revelation or a system-wide change, your story can inspire others to find their own.

📝 Proposal Requirements

Please prepare the following items before filling out the online form:

Presenter Information:

  • Primary Presenter: Full Name, Credentials (e.g., OTR/L, OTA, PhD, MOT/s), Email, Mobile Phone, Employer/Affiliation.
  • Co-Presenter(s): For each co-presenter, provide Full Name, Credentials, Email, and Employer/Affiliation.
  • Attachments:
    • CV/Resume of the primary presenter (upload as PDF).
    • Headshot(s): A photo for each presenter. Please name each image file with the presenter’s full name (e.g., janedoe.jpg).
  •  

Presentation Details:

  • Presentation Title: (15 words or less)
  • Preferred Format: (Select one)
    • Educational Session (50 minutes)
    • Poster Presentation (In Person)
    • Poster Presentation (Virtual)
    • Hot Topic (15-minute presentation, 10-minute Q&A)
    • Panel Discussion (50 minutes)
    • Other: 

Learning Objectives:

  • List a minimum of three (3) measurable learning objectives. These should describe what the participant will be able to do as a result of attending your session. (Example: “Participants will be able to identify three evidence-based interventions for fall prevention in community-dwelling older adults.”)

Abstract:

  • Provide a concise summary of your presentation (maximum 250 words). This will be used for conference materials if your proposal is accepted.

References/Citations:

  • List 3-5 references that support your presentation’s content. All citations must be from peer-reviewed journals or other scholarly sources and published within the last 5 years. This is not a request for letters of recommendation. Please format your citations in a consistent style (e.g., APA 7th Edition).

 

Content Level:

Check all levels that apply to your presentation:

  • Introductory: Assumes the audience has little or no prior knowledge of the content area. Focus is on foundational concepts.
  • Intermediate: Assumes general familiarity with the literature and practice. Focus is on increased understanding and practical application.
  • Advanced: Focuses on recent advances, future directions, and the practical application of research for a highly knowledgeable audience.
  •  

Practice Area:

Check all that apply to your presentation:

  • Aging in Place/Geriatrics
  • Children and Youth
  • Community-based Practice
  • Emerging Practice Area
  • Fieldwork and Academics/Education
  • Health and Wellness
  • Home Health/Telehealth
  • Mental Health
  • Professional Issues
  • Rehabilitation
  • Other: _____________
  •  

Special Accommodations:

Do you or any of your co-presenters require any special accommodations to present at the conference (e.g., microphone, podium height, specific room setup)? If so, please describe.

✨ Ready to Submit?

The online submission form will prompt you for all the information listed above. We highly recommend using the OOTA “Cheat Sheet” for tips on crafting a standout proposal.

For questions, please contact: OOTA Staff at ootastaff@gpsforgrowth.com

We look forward to hearing how you are amplifying, adapting, and advancing the field of occupational therapy!

Click Here to be taken to the Submission Page