Peer Summit Region 7 Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa
Explore the official conference booklet featuring session descriptions, speaker biographies, and event information from the 3rd Annual Region 7 Peer Summit.
This year’s program brings together a distinguished lineup of national, regional, and statewide leaders, subject-matter experts, trainers, and individuals with lived experience for two days of high-quality education, meaningful dialogue, and connection.
From nationally recognized keynote speakers to specialized breakout sessions on recovery, peer support, behavioral health, public safety, gambling, family systems, ethics, and emerging issues, the 2026 Summit offers an exceptional learning experience for professionals from across Region 7.
Explore the full agenda and start planning your Summit experience today.
What Attendees Are Saying About the Conference
Order Your Peer T-Shirt Today
👕 MISSED OUT ON YOUR 2026 PEER SUMMIT T-SHIRT?
Good news! You can still get yours! 🎉
Our official 2026 Region 7 Peer Summit T-shirts are still available for purchase!
Designed to celebrate the strength, dedication, and impact of peer support, these shirts are a great way to show your Peer Summit pride long after the conference has ended.
💙💚 Didn’t get yours at the Summit? Now’s your chance!
🛍️ ORDER YOUR SHIRT TODAY!
Visit 🌐 www.missouricb.com to purchase yours while supplies last!
Wear your Peer Summit pride and keep the spirit of peer support going strong!
MCB Announces a New Documentary Project
LANTERNS IN THE NIGHT
Illuminating the people who carry hope into our communities.
The Missouri Credentialing Board is proud to announce the development of Lanterns in the Night, a documentary project dedicated to sharing the stories and impact of peer professionals across our communities.
Every day, peers walk alongside people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Through lived experience, connection, compassion, and hope, they remind others that recovery is possible—and that no one has to find their way alone.
Lanterns in the Night will highlight the work peers are doing throughout our communities while sharing the powerful stories of those who have transformed their own experiences into a source of hope for others who may still be struggling.
Could your story be part of the documentary?
We will be looking for peer professionals with meaningful stories of lived experience, recovery, service, connection, and the impact peer support is making in communities across our region.
Additional information, application details, and project timelines will be announced soon.
Conference Presentations
Award Nominations
Nominate Now for the
Peer Excellence Award,
Hidden Gem Award, and
Guiding Light Award!
We’re seeking individuals who embody these qualities. Award winners will be celebrated at the Annual Region 7 Peer Summit, themed “Connected by Experience: Strengthened by Community”
Join us at the Kansas City Expo Center on September 29-30, 2026. Submit your nominations today!
Peer Excellence Award
The Peer Excellence Award celebrates peers who epitomize leadership and compassion within our community. This accolade honors remarkable individuals who consistently demonstrate initiative, empathy, and the power to inspire others. Through tireless dedication, recipients make impactful contributions that elevate our community. Their exemplary conduct and profound influence serve as a beacon for others to follow. This award recognizes their outstanding character and the significant difference they make each day. It honors their ability to foster an environment of collaboration, understanding, and growth. In recognizing their achievements, we pay tribute to their leadership, empathy, and enduring legacy, shaping a brighter future for all.
Hidden Gem Award
The Hidden Gem Award honors extraordinary peers whose exceptional performance and contributions often go unnoticed. This prestigious accolade honors quiet champions who consistently exceed expectations and make a significant impact. Through unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence, recipients demonstrate unparalleled talent and capability. Their remarkable achievements serve as the cornerstone of success, embodying collaboration and excellence. This award recognizes their invaluable contributions, often the backbone of operations and innovation. Celebrating these unsung heroes highlights their resilience, ingenuity, and profound impact, inspiring others and fostering a positive workplace culture.
Guiding Light Award
The Guiding Light Award spotlights exceptional supervisors who illuminate
the path to success for their peers,
providing guidance, support, and mentorship. This prestigious accolade celebrates their invaluable contributions, recognizing their role in fostering trust, empowerment, and collaboration.
Through steadfast leadership and commitment, award recipients embody mentorship and inspire greatness,
making a transformative impact on both professional and personal development. They set the standard for excellence, nurturing talent and driving collective success. By honoring these exemplary supervisors, we acknowledge their role as catalysts for growth and achievement within their teams and organizations.
October 1, 2025 1pm-2pm
Dr. Kleinschmidt, Ph.D., MBA
Art Kleinschmidt, Ph.D., is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary at SAMHSA, providing leadership in prevention, treatment, recovery services, and public health strategy. He previously served as Senior Advisor for Substance Abuse at SAMHSA, Deputy Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and a policy expert on the White House Domestic Policy Council, co-authoring Executive Order #13954. A licensed mental health professional and addiction counselor with 20+ years of clinical experience, Dr. Kleinschmidt is nationally recognized for expertise in mental health, addiction, and criminal justice. In recovery since 2002, he is a passionate advocate for change.
Special Closing Speaker:
Officer Tommy Norman
Known nationwide for his compassionate and community driven approach to policing, Officer Tommy Norman of North Little Rock, Arkansas has built a legacy of trust, empathy, and service. With millions of followers and countless community partnerships, Officer Norman exemplifies how connection and kindness can bridge divides anduplift entire neighborhoods.
Thursday Presentation/Documentary Screening:
Ladonna Gatlin
LaDonna Gatlin, CSP, CPAE, is an award-winning speaker, singer, and author who inspires audiences to “sing their own song” in life. The youngest sister of country music’s Gatlin Brothers, she began performing at age five and now blends music, humor, and storytelling into powerful keynotes that motivate and uplift. A member of the Speaker Hall of Fame and Certified Speaking Professional, LaDonna has also performed on Grammy and Dove Award-winning recordings. She is the author of The Song in You and a contributing writer to Chicken Soup for the Soul.
Conference Information
Date and Location
October 1-2, 2025
11730 N Ambassador Dr, Kansas City, MO 64153
Reservation Information: Please note the Reservation Link use the dates for the conference (example 9/30-10/02,2025)
Rate: $119 per night plus taxes & fees
Additional Hotel Informaton
October 1-2, 2025
ATWELL Suites
11732 NW Plaza Circle, Kansas City, Missouri 64153 United States
Reservation Information: Please note the Reservation Link use the dates for the conference (example 9/30-10/02,2025)
Rate: $119 per night plus taxes & fees
October 1-2, 2025
Reservation Information: Please note the Reservation Link use the dates for the conference (example 9/30-10/02,2025)
Rate: $119 per night plus taxes & fees
Featured Speakers and Topics
- Dr. Patricia Deegan—Opening Speaker
- SAMHSA Speakers
- ATTC Speakers
- Office of Recovery
- Leadership Training
- Ethics Hours
- Certified Peer Specialists; Family Support Providers; Youth Peer Support
- Trauma Training
- Specialized CHW-C Track
Conference Registration
Online registration for the 3rd Annual Peer Summit is now closed. You may still register onsite at the Kansas City Expo Center on September 29-30, 2026. We look forward to seeing you there!