“Centering The Leadership Voices of Self-Advocates”
Registration is Closed.
Conference Schedule:
2026 Conference Schedule
Tuesday:
9:00 am – 9:45 am: Arrival at Memorial Union. Please leave overnight bags in the vehicle you arrived in. Please do not arrive before 9 am
Check in with your advisor in Room 229.
9:00 AM – Vendor Room Opens
9:45 AM – Welcome – North Pod
10 – 11 AM – Opening Session – North Pod
11:15 – 12:15 – Workshop
12:15 – 1:00 Lunch – North Pod
1:00 – 2:00 – Workshop
2:15 – 3:15 – Workshop
3:30 – 4:30 Workshop
4:30 – Snack break and Check in hotel. *Please take everything with you from Memorial Union. We will not be returning to this spot*
5:30 – Dinner seating at Wells Conference Center.
6:15 – Awards
7:00 – 9:30 Dancing
9:30 – End of Dance
Wednesday:
7:00 am – 8:00 AM – Breakfast at Wells Conference Center
It is recommended that you check out and put your belongings in the car you are traveling home in before breakfast.
7:30 – Board Meeting – Please be prompt!
8:15 – 9:15 Workshop
9:30 – 10:30 Workshop
10:30 – Snack break
10:45 – 11:45 Workshop
12:00 – Goody Bag and go home!
Other information:
If you wish to purchase an adult beverage you must have a photo ID in your possession. You will be carded. If you do not have an ID you can not purchase an adult beverage.
Please bring cash for any adult beverage you wish to purchase.
We will once again have the raffle table! Raffle tickets will be sold on Tuesday between workshops and prior to the drawing on Tuesday evening.
The 2026 SUFU Conference will be held on September 22nd and 23rd at the Memorial Union and Wells Conference Center on the University of Maine Orono Campus.
Questions regarding Conference Registration, Proposals and Vendor tables? Contact your advisor or email info@sufumaine.org
Questions you may have:
Who is the Conference for?
The SUFU Conference is for all self-advocates, and their supporters.
Can my family member come with me?
Absolutely! Your family member is welcome to attend with you. They would register as a support person/family member. They are welcome to attend the same workshops as you or attend different ones that are of interest to them.
Why would I want to attend your conference?
Attending our conference is a great way to meet others from around the state, learn together on topics that interest you and have fun.
What will happen at the conference?
When you arrive you will check in. A SUFU Staff member will hand you a swag bag with all sorts of items in it. You will also get your folder with the schedule. We will start with a welcome to all attending and then go to our workshops. There will be breaks! On the first day in the evening we will have dinner together, the SUFU awards, and more. The next morning we will have breakfast together, more workshops and eventually head home around lunch.
What are the workshops?
Our workshops have not been picked at this moment. To give you an idea we try to find a mixture of informative, hands-on workshops you can participate in. We cover topics such as employment, being a leader, your rights, voting and ways to be creative.
Is there any fun at the conference?
There is a lots of fun! Many of our workshops include hands on activities, we have a dance on Tuesday night and celebrate each other.
What do other self-advocates say about past conferences?
“The classes I attended there are so much fun, bring me so much joy” – Regina
“I look forward to our conference every year. It gives me a chance to connect with people I don’t usually get to see in person very often…” – Marco
“Being able to go to the SUFU Conference is great because you’re able to meet so many people who are working to help the disabled community. – Cindy
“I like to attend the conference to learn about the different topics that are being discussed” – Eric
Who else will be there?
First off other self-advocates, their support staff, or family members.
Will there be vendor tables?
We hope so! There usually are. A list of who will be there will be published as we get closer to the conference.
I have other questions. Who can I contact?
You can contact SUFU at 207-956-1004 or by emailing info@sufumaine.org Someone will help you.
I need an accommodation. Who do I contact?
You can contact SUFU at 207-956-1004 or by emailing info@sufumaine.org We will work with you!
Is the location accessible?
Yes it is! If you need a specific accommodation please contact us. We want all to have a wonderful time at the conference.
I can only attend for one day. Is that ok?
Yes, you can come for one day or both days. The choice is yours.
Presenter Questions
As a Presenter do I need to register?
Yes, Presenters must register. Which type of registration depends upon your plans. If you plan to enjoy meals with us and other parts of the conference please register as an attendee. The cost for that is $100. If you are only planning to present and leave please register on the presenter only link.
How will I know if my Proposal to present is accepted?
You will receive an email from SUFU with the acceptance and more details will follow.
How many people will be in my workshop?
Many times we do not have this information until the week before the workshop. We try our best to get this information out as soon as we have it.
Vendor Questions
As a Vendor do I need to register for the conference?
The Vendor fee is only for the table. If you the people at the table want to enjoy other aspects of the conference and wish to stay for meals then they do need to register as a Conference Attendee.
