ACEs Conference 2025 Photo Highlights
Inaugural ACEs Conference Exceeds All Expectations
Mission Accomplished: West Virginia Successfully Hosts Transformative ACEs Conference
The inaugural ACEs Conference held June 4-5, 2025, in West Virginia has been declared an overwhelming success, leaving a lasting impact on participants and the broader community. This powerful, life-changing experience brought together attendees from diverse professions across Appalachia and beyond.
By the Numbers: A Resounding Success
The conference welcomed **more than 200 participants** including attendees, speakers, and volunteers, creating an impactful gathering that fostered meaningful connections and learning opportunities.
The event achieved remarkable financial success through registration fees, vendor booth sales, and sponsorships, with additional support from the Benedum Grant and Aetna Better Health funding for venue costs.ļ»æ
Exceptional Participant Satisfaction
Post-conference surveys revealed unprecedented satisfaction levels among the 50 participants who responded:
- Strong approval for networking (84%) and food services (83%)
- 94% were highly satisfied with exhibitors
- 94% praised the timing, scheduling, and quality of breakout sessions
- 95.7% rated the venue as good, very good, or excellent
- 100% satisfaction with both the registration process and keynote presentations
These results reflect the conference’s commitment to delivering a professional, well-organized, and meaningful experience for all attendees.
Standout Moments and Innovations
The conference featured two phenomenal keynote speakers: Jeanette Walls, whose powerful storytelling resonated deeply with attendees, and Dr. Stephen Loyd, who brought expert medical insights to ACEs recovery and healing. The partnership with local bookstore Taylor Books proved so popular that Jeanette Walls’ books completely sold out during the event.
A unique highlight was the Hall of Healing and Hope, featuring Appalachian music, storytelling, interactive art, breathwork, and holistic health vendors. This innovative approach created an immersive, interactive experience that transcended traditional conference formats and will be expanded for future events.
Dr. Todd Davies’ ACEs research presentation from Marshall University was exceptionally well-received, generating significant interest and leaving attendees eager for deeper engagement with ongoing research initiatives.
Media Impact and Recognition
The conference garnered substantial media attention and professional documentation:
- The Wallace Horn Friendly Neighbor Show conducted live tapings, providing Coalition members and speakers unique opportunities for storytelling and musical performances
- WOWK television aired a comprehensive feature story with multiple segments
- Live social media coverage by Jim Strawn amplified the conference’s reach
- Professional videography by Create It captured speaker presentations, conference activities, and attendee interviews, creating valuable content for promoting future events
Perhaps most meaningfully, keynote speaker Jeanette Walls described the conference as “life changing” in her follow-up correspondence, writing: *“I can’t stop talking to my husband about how much I loved you all and ACE. I am humbled, moved and so grateful… the attendees whose stories and wisdom and empathy will stay in my heart forever.”
Building Momentum for the Future
The inaugural conference’s success has energized organizers and participants alike, with several strategic improvements already identified for next year’s event:
- Enhanced partnerships with organizations like Healing Appalachia for the Hope and Healing Hall
- Expanded sponsorship opportunities aligned with the conference’s three tracks: Prevent, Treat, Heal
- Increased exhibitor participation and refined feedback processes
- Continued focus on the seamless coordination that made this year’s event so successful
The inaugural ACEs Conference in West Virginia has established a powerful foundation for addressing adverse childhood experiences through education, healing, and community connection. With overwhelming participant satisfaction, strong financial performance, and meaningful media impact, the conference has proven that West Virginia is ready to lead important conversations about trauma-informed care and community resilience.
The success of this inaugural event positions West Virginia as an emerging leader in ACEs awareness and healing, setting the stage for continued growth and impact in years to come.
