The Power of Connection emphasizes the strength and possibilities that come from collaboration and partnerships. This year’s conference theme connects the creative and innovative work by focusing on the relationships and networks that make the change and growth possible.

The 2025 conference will feature a day of informative plenary sessions. The UniqueSource Member Annual Meeting will be held as will the Distinguished Service Awards.

To register for the conference or to purchse tickets for the Awards Banquet, return to the Awards-Conference home page.

Conference Agenda

Thursday, May 22

7:30 am                             Conference registration open
                                           Breakfast

8:30 – 11:30 am                Awardee fun event at Hershey's Choclate World

8:30 – 9:30 am                  Opening Session

9:30 – 10:30 am                UniqueSource Annual Membership Meeting

10:30 – 10:45 am              Break

10:45 – 11:45 am              Plenary session 1

11:45 am – 12:30 pm        Plenary session 2

12:30 – 1:45 pm                Lunch & Distinguished Service Awards

1:45 – 2:30 pm                  Closing session

2:35 – 3:35 pm                  UniqueSource Board of Director’s Meeting

Keynote Presentation

Kelly Swanson

Kelly Swanson is an award-winning storyteller and motivational speaker, renowned for her unique blend of humor and heart. With a passion for the transformative power of storytelling, she guides individuals and businesses in crafting narratives that connect, inspire, and leave a lasting impact. Kelly’s wacky wit and powerful stories have charmed hearts and tickled funny bones for over 18 years.

In addition to her role as a funny motivational speaker, Kelly teaches people how she does it by sharing what she has learned about The Power of Connection and engaging to have more influence in business, through the use of one tool – strategic storytelling. Sharing her own powerful journey through story and the formula she discovered, you come to that magical place where the art of story meets the business of persuasion.

Her goal is to show how the Power of Connection through business and peer connections can promote support and encouragement for each other, problem solving when facing a challenge, or someone to foster new ideas or partnerships with, all through humor and the Power of Storytelling.

Plenary Sessions

Meet Deputy Secretary Brian Esposito, Department of General Services, and Members of the DGS Team
Brain Esposito, Deputy Secretary for the Department of General Services

Brian Esposito will be bringing Members of his team to introduce the staff you work with on Compliance Reviews and Fair Market Pricing.  He will discuss the value of the partnership and the important connection between UniqueSource and the DGS Team. This session will illustrate how we all work together we accomplish a common goal of employing Pennsylvanians with disabilities.

OVR’s Strategic Plan for the Upcoming Fiscal Year
Ryan Hyde, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

Learn the focuses and priorities of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s (OVR) new Strategic Plan. This will be an important factor this fiscal year in our ongoing work to advance employment for professionals with disabilities.

Current Federal & State Priorities
Stephanie Walker, The Porter Group
PJ Lavelle, Malady & Wooten

Stephanie and PJ will share their unique perspective of what they are seeing from the federal and state government and specifically regarding how it will impact State Use Programs.