2026 Oregon Peer Workforce Conference

The Power of Us: Fostering Belonging

Join Us

August 20 & 21, 2026

Pendleton Convention Center

Presented by Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. (GOBHI)

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What is the Oregon Peer Workforce Conference?

GOBHI’s Peer Workforce Conference is a place for peers working in behavioral health in Eastern Oregon and across the state to connect, learn, and grow together.

The two days of presentations and training sessions will be centered around the theme of The Power of Us: Fostering Belonging.

The conference is open to peer workers of all specialty types, and those who work alongside them.

Presenters

This year, we are seeking diverse proposals/workshops that offer unique educational & lived life experiences for peer workers of varying specialty types (Addictions, Mental Health, Family, Youth, etc.) and can offer insight into the conference focus areas.

Learn More and Submit a Proposal

Sponsorship and Tabling

Become a Sponsor

Support the 2026 Oregon Peer Workforce Conference and help empower the peer support workforce across Oregon! Your sponsorship directly contributes to a conference that uplifts lived experience, fosters connection, and advances the vital work of peer professionals in behavioral health. This is a unique opportunity to showcase your organization’s commitment to the Power of Us.

Sponsorship Options

Tabling

Community partners or vendors can reserve a table using the registration link below. Tables will be open on both days of the conference.

Conference table/exhibitor details:

Cost: $100 for two people.
Provisions: One 6-foot table and two chairs will be provided.
Meals: Registration includes two breakfasts, two lunches, and hors d'oeuvres.
Staffing: Badges will be provided for each person at the table. Admittance to the exhibit area and table staffing require a badge. You may request to bring additional staff for an extra fee.
Exclusions: Table registration does not include conference swag or admittance to conference workshops.

Note: Sponsorship tiers 1-3 include a table.

Use the link below to access the tabling registration form:

Tabling Registration

Keynote

Elliott Hinkle

Where You Belong: The Radical Power of Being Seen, Heard, and Held in Community

What does it mean to truly belong, not just to be present, but to be known? This keynote explores how belonging transforms peer support work, how lived experience in systems becomes a source of wisdom and power, and how creating spaces where every person feels genuinely at home is the most radical act of healing we can offer.

Elliott Orrin Hinkle (they/them) is a skilled consultant, facilitator, trainer, speaker, advisor, and national expert focused on elevating lived experience and expertise in systems that serve children, youth, and families. As Principal and Founder of Unicorn Solutions LLC, they are an advocate and professional with 14+ years of experience on topics such as child welfare, youth mental health, and the LGBTQIA2S+ community through training, advising, and facilitating culture change efforts.

Comedic Keynote

Rory Gardiner

Rory Gardiner is an award-winning comedian and CCMA-nominated country artist who has shared the stage with icons like Keith Urban. With over 100 million views across social media, his viral humor has been featured on Canada’s Got Talent, America’s Funniest Videos, and TEDx.

A former corporate software consultant who worked on multimillion-dollar projects, Rory brings rare real-world business credibility to his high-impact performances.

Blending stand-up comedy, live music, and powerful storytelling, Rory delivers unforgettable experiences that help audiences rethink resilience, shift perception, and take imperfect action. Equal parts practical and hilarious, his talks leave audiences ready to embrace uncertainty and get comfortable in the uncomfortable.