Over 375 attendees, from 43 states and the District of Columbia gathered at Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center in Phoenix, Arizona to participate in informative educational sessions, hands-on, skills-based learning workshops and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing.

This year’s theme, Expanding Access to Sport, brought together adaptive athletes, sport professionals and providers focusing on relevant education, awareness, and skills to instil change. 

Attendees represented a variety of affiliations including sports organisations, city parks & recreation departments, Olympic and Paralympic sport national governing bodies, Veteran Affairs hospital staff, wounded warfighters, occupational and recreation therapists, academic professionals and college students, disability resource groups, and more.

The conference included training, workshops and roundtable discussions, poster sessions, and an exhibitor hall. Topics centred around sport-specific instruction, inclusion in schools and universities, and nonprofit management. Representatives from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, USA Fencing, United States Tennis Association, USA Archery, USA Blind Soccer, USA Lacrosse, US Paratriathlon, and other organisations presented workshops during the event.

Keynote speakers included five-time Paralympic medallist Rudy Garcia-Tolson; Annijke Wade, an adaptive mountain biker and para off-road cyclist who founded DirtBound - a para off-road cycling initiative; Joe Stone, an avid outdoor adventurer, adaptive sports leader, and co-owner of Dovetail Trail Consulting.