2026 Conference Agenda
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Monday, April 27 – Pre-conference
7-8 a.m.: Registration and Breakfast
7:30-7:50 a.m.: Announcements / Welcome
Pre-Conference Workshops:
8am-Noon:
Equine Therapy: Session 1– Kara Sibert, LCSW, Lifeline Connections
8 a.m.-5 p.m.:
Seeking Safety: Integrated Treatment on Trauma, Addiction, and Financial Safety — Full Day Training – Gabriela Grant, MA
8-10 a.m.:
Peer Services, Gambling, and Legal Professionals – Jeff Wasserman, MPA, JD, CPRS; and Loyd Willaford, JD
10-10:15 a.m.: Break
10:15-11:45 a.m.: The Enhanced Gambling and Gaming Toolbox: Creatively Leveraging SBIRT and Early Intervention for Teens and Families – Serena King, PhD, LP, IGDC
11:45 a.m.-Noon: Break
Noon-12:45 p.m.: Lunch
12:45-1 p.m.: Break
1-5 p.m.: Equine Therapy: Session 2– Kara Sibert, LCSW, Lifeline Connections
1-2:45 p.m.: Capturing Your Community’s Voice – A Roadmap from Data Gathering to Resource Development – Roxann Jones, BS; Paige Vazquez, PhD; and Cynthia De La Torre, BS, CHW
2:45-3 p.m.: Break
3-5 p.m.: Problem gambling as a public health issue in AAPI communities: Roots causes and interventions – Dr. Heang Leung Rubin, EdD, MA; Ben Hires, MTS; and Grace Su, LICSW
Tuesday, April 28 – Pre-conference
7-8 a.m.: Registration
7:30-7:50 a.m.: Announcements / Welcome
Pre-Conference Workshops:
8-11:45 a.m.: Risky Financial Behaviors and Trauma: A research-driven exploration of the causes of financially self-destructive behaviors – Gabriela Grant, MA
8-10 a.m.: Understanding Suicide – Sara Gaer, MA
10-10:15 a.m.: Break
10:15-11:45 a.m.: Anchored by Values: A Pathway Through Anxiety, Avoidance, and Addiction – Joshua Germain, MA, LMHC
11:45 a.m.-Noon: Break
Noon-12:45 p.m.: Lunch
12:45-1 p.m.: Break
1-5 p.m.: Gambling Group Workbook Facilitator Training for Counselors and Peers – Wiley Harwell, D.Min, LPC, ICGC-II, CGT; Tana Russell, SUDP, NCTTP, WSCGC-II, CGT
1-2:45 p.m.: Building Stronger Systems: Assessing and Improving State and Community Problem Gambling Infrastructure – Chuck Klevgaard and T. Schweimler
2:45-3 p.m.: Break
3-5 p.m.: Don’t Reinvent the Wheel: Adapting CSAP Strategies for Problem Gambling Prevention – James Syphax, ICPS, CDCA
Wednesday, April 29 – Main Conference
7-8:20 a.m.: Registration and Breakfast
8:20-8:30 a.m.: Welcome and Announcements
8:30-10 a.m.: Keynote Speaker
Vantage Point: Views on Military Programs, Services, and Support – Dave Yaeger (Moderator); Cole Wogoman, JD; and Christopher Moccasin
10-10:15 a.m.: Break / Exhibits
10:15 – 11:45 a.m.: Breakout Sessions
Beyond Budgets – Modern Gambling, Gray Areas, and guardrails from a Financial Perspective – Michael Spear, CFP
Spirituality as a component for Gambling Disorder– Wiley Harwell, D.Min, LPC, ICGC-II, CGT
Noon – 12:30 p.m.: Lunch/Announcements
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.: Lunch Plenary
How Digital Finance is reshaping the Next Generation of Gambling Networks – Panel: Dave Malone, JD; James Syphax, ICPS, CDCA; Cole Wogoman, JD; and Glenn Yamagata, M.Phil, and Rebecca George
1:30 – 1:45 p.m.: Break / Exhibits
1:45 – 3 p.m.:
Question of the Day: A SWOT Analysis of Daily Texting – Brian Ward, IGRS, BARA, CGRM, CGAC-R
Effective Advocacy: A Multifaceted Approach – Rep. Shelley Kloba and Dolores Chiechi
3-3:15 p.m.: Break / Exhibits
3:15-4:30 p.m.: Breakout Sessions
Healing Together: Integrating Affected Others in Recovery – Veronica Valdez, MA, LMFT, CGAC-II, CADC-I, QMHP-C and Brandie Lyday, LMFT, CGAC-II, CADC-III
Integrating Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Complementary Therapies for Wholistic Treatment of Gambling Disorder – David Ledgerwood, Ph. D.
Thursday, April 30 – Main Conference
7:30-8:15 a.m.: Registration
7-8:30 a.m.: Breakfast
8:30 – 10 a.m.: Welcome and Keynote Speaker
Voices of Recovery: A Personal Story – Jontay Porter
10-10:30 a.m. Break/Exhibits/Hotel Checkout
10:30-11:45 a.m.: Breakout Sessions
Understanding Neurodivergent Experience in Gambling Harm: Practical Strategies for Clinicians and Peers – Kitty Martz, CGRM, CGAC-II, IGRS, BARA, MBA
Families and Screens – Hilarie Cash, PhD, LMHC, CSAT, WSCGC-I
Noon – 12:30 pm.: Lunch / Announcements
12:30 – 1:45 p.m.: Lunch Plenary
Soul Care and Community Care – Sarah Gaer, MA
1:45 – 2 p.m.: Break / Exhibits
2-3:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions
Behind Closed Doors: The Reality of Women and Gambling Harm – Christina Cook, IGRS
Turning Data into Insight: Oregon & Washington Gambling Trends Through Trivia and Discussion – Paige Vazquez, JD; Jeff Marotta, PhD, ICGC-II; Glenn Yamagata, M.Phil; and Roxane Waldron, MPA
(Presentation PGS; Presentation HCA)
(Agenda is subject to update/change)