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At AROHE, we recognize that higher education retirees are valuable assets to society, reinventing, not retiring from, life, positively impacting their communities and contributing to the greater good. |
Conference Overview |
AROHE’s 2026 conference, Wellness, Wisdom, Wonder: The Joys of Connection, is our biennial gathering that brings together leaders, members, and friends of retirement organizations in higher education to reimagine what retirement can be through community, learning, and innovation.
Hosted by the Retired Faculty of the University of Florida in Gainesville, home of the state's largest and oldest university, the event will be on October 6-8, 2026. The event will feature engaging keynotes, interactive breakout sessions, and creative formats that highlight how retiree programs connect people to each other, to ideas, and to purpose through wellness, lifelong learning, and exploration.
Schedule at a glance
Tuesday — Arrival & Connection
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 1:00 – 4:00 PM | Check-In |
| 3:00 – 4:00 PM | Pre-conference Workshop: From Transition to Legacy: Reclaiming Purpose and Telling Your Story in Retirement presented by Dr. Kaye Jeter. |
| 4:00 – 5:30 PM | General Business Meeting |
| 6:00 – 8:00 PM | Opening Reception: Exclusive Access to the Harn Museum serving heavy hors d'oeuvres |
| Evening | Time on Your Own or Continue Conversations at Hotel |
Wednesday — Learning, Leadership & Celebration
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:30 – 9:00 AM | Check-In & Morning Arrival |
| 9:00 – 10:30 AM | Featured Keynote: Dr. Todd Manini Ph.D. Director of the Institute on Aging at the University of Florida |
| 10:30 – 10:45 AM | Break |
| 10:45 – 11:50 AM | Breakout Sessions (3 Concurrent Options) |
| 12:00 – 2:00 PM | Presenting Sponsor Keynote: Steve August, Vice President of Marketing at Road Scholar |
| 2:15 – 3:30 PM | Breakout Sessions (3 Concurrent Options) |
| 3:45 – 4:45 PM | Business Meetings — Presidents Council, Member Organizations, Virtual Retirement Chapter |
| 6:00 – 8:00 PM | Awards Dinner |
Thursday — Insight & Forward Momentum
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| By 12:00 PM | Hotel Check-Out |
| 9:00 – 10:30 AM | Capstone Keynote: Dr. Molly Jacobs, Ph.D. Associate Professor, College of Public Health and Health Professions at the University of Florida |
| 10:45 – 11:45 AM | Breakout Sessions (2 Concurrent Options) |
| 12:00 – 2:00 PM | Executive Board Meeting |
Conference Theme & Program Tracks
The Joy of Connection: Wellness, Wisdom, and Wonder celebrates the power of coming together to support thriving lives before and beyond retirement. As AROHE’s first in-person conference in several years, this gathering offers a meaningful opportunity to reconnect, exchange insights, and spark new ideas that promote well-being, lifelong learning, and purposeful engagement. Together, we will cultivate relationships that inspire resilience, curiosity, and a renewed sense of possibility for the next chapter.
Program Tracks Include:
 | The Wellness track explores the essential foundations of healthy aging, equipping participants with strategies to strengthen resilience, enhance financial well-being, and cultivate sustainable work–life balance. Through practical insights and forward-thinking conversations, this track empowers retirees and retirement leaders to prioritize vitality, independence, and a high quality of life in every stage of the journey. |
| The Wisdom track honors the depth of experience retirees bring to their communities by highlighting lifelong learning, intergenerational engagement, leadership, and the power of legacy and storytelling. Participants will explore meaningful ways to share knowledge, inspire future generations, and shape enduring contributions that extend their impact well beyond their careers. |
| The Wonder track invites participants to embrace curiosity and creativity while exploring how technology, global perspectives, and new possibilities are reshaping the retirement experience. Designed to spark imagination and discovery, this track encourages attendees to reimagine retirement as a vibrant chapter filled with connection, exploration, and continued growth. |
Registration
Registration for the 2026 AROHE Conference is now open. We welcome individual retirees, representatives of AROHE Member Organizations, and university faculty, staff, and administrators who support retiree engagement. Join colleagues and peers from across the country for several days of learning, networking, and inspiration centered on this year’s theme, The Joys of Connection: Wellness, Wisdom, Wonder. Register today to secure your place and be part of the conversations shaping the future of retiree communities and lifelong engagement.
2026 AROHE Conference Registration Rates
Register early to take advantage of discounted rates.
*Member rates apply to individuals affiliated with current AROHE Member Organizations. Please contact your center or associations for discount code.
Who Should Attend
This conference is designed for retiree organization leaders, university administrators, faculty and staff retirees, allied professionals, and strategic partners who are committed to strengthening engagement across the retirement landscape. Leaders and administrators will gain innovative models and practical tools to support thriving retiree communities; retirees will discover opportunities for continued purpose, learning, and connection; and allied professionals and partners will deepen their understanding of this influential population while building meaningful collaborations that extend impact across higher education.
Why Attend?
- Gain practical strategies to strengthen retiree engagement, programming, and organizational effectiveness.
- Discover innovative models that support healthy aging, lifelong learning, and purposeful connection.
- Expand your professional network by building relationships with peers, thought leaders, and institutional partners.
- Leave with actionable ideas and ready-to-implement tools to elevate your retirement initiatives.
- Explore emerging trends shaping retirement in higher education and identify opportunities for future growth.
- Return to your organization inspired, equipped, and prepared to create meaningful impact within your community.
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