Confereneces & Webinars
Annual Conference
Agenda
Successfully managing compliant absence and disability programs not only requires a nuanced understanding of local, state, and federal requirements, but a strong focus on integration, employee experience, productivity, and cost management.
The 2025 DMEC Annual Conference, Aug. 4-7, 2025, in Washington, DC, will offer a one-of-a-kind deep dive into solutions and best practices for the challenges that leave and disability professionals face each day.
Agenda Highlights
Preconference Mini Bootcamp - Aug. 3
Description coming soon.
Agenda
Sunday
August 3, 2025
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Preconference Workshop: Taking Back Your Plan
Description coming soon
Monday
August 4, 2025
8:00 - 9:00 am
First-Time Attendee Orientation
9:15 - 9:30 am
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Kevin Curry, Board Chair, DMEC
Bryon Bass, Chief Executive Officer, DMEC
9:30 - 10:30 am
Opening Keynote Session
Coming soon
10:30 - 11:00 am
Coffee & Conversation Break
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Recent Jury Verdicts involving Leave and Accommodation Issues
Coming soon
12:00 - 1:30 pm
Networking Lunch
1:30 - 2:30 pm
Concurrent Sessions
1A. What to do When Employees Boggle Your Mind – Mental Health in the Workplace
1B. Compassionate Leave: Reimaging Employee Well-Being
1C. Low Utilization Got You Down? How Partner’s Can Connect to Create Meaningful Value
1D. Technology can make your all absence dreams come true…or it can be your worst nightmare!
1E. The Power of Social Ties in Reducing Workplace Absenteeism
2:30 - 3:00 pm
Coffee & Conversation Break
3:00 - 4:30 pm
Workshops
2A. Don’t Give Leave a Bad Name: Recognize, Learn, and Do Better
2B. Spot the Lie: Testing Your Intermittent Leave Knowledge
2C. Invis-ABLE Me
2D. Practical Solutions for a Successful Return-to-Work: A Hands-On Workshop for Employers
2E. Mental Wellness, Thriving Workplace, PWFA, ADA, and FMLA
4:30 - 5:00 pm
Break
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Opening Welcome Reception
Kick off your 2024 DMEC Annual Conference experience by connecting with old friends and fellow attendees at the opening welcome reception. Everyone is invited to join the festivities for a special evening of great food and fun.
Sponsored by DMEC National Sponsors
Tuesday
August 5, 2025
7:00 - 8:00 am
Breakfast with Exhibitors
8:00 - 8:15 am
DMEC Announcements and Awards
8:15 - 9:15 am
A Conversation with the DOL
Coming soon
9:15 - 10:00 am
Coffee & Conversation Break
10:00 - 11:00 am
Getting Alice out of Wonderland: How to Address the Realities of Accommodations Management
Coming soon
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Do They Need It Or Just Want It? Managing Specific Requests for ADA Accommodation
Coming soon
12:00 - 1:30 pm
Lunch with Exhibitors
12:50 - 1:20 pm
Bonus Education: Lunch & Learn
Coming soon
1:30 - 2:30 pm
Concurrent Sessions
3A. Beyond Compliance: Leveraging Accommodations Data to Build an Inclusive, Adaptive Workplace
3B. The Untapped Role Managers Play in Leave
3C. From Data to Decisions: Leveraging Benchmarking for Actionable Insights
3D. From Data to Decisions: Leveraging Benchmarking for Actionable Insights
3E. How to Turn an FMLA Process into an Automated Workflow
2:30 - 3:15 pm
Dessert with Exhibitors
3:15 - 4:15 pm
Coffee with Chris Counihan, Director of Delaware Paid Leave
3:15 - 4:15 pm
Roundtable Discussions
Join industry peers for small-group discussions on hot topics within the industry. Share challenges, opportunities, and best practices from your organization’s experience.
4:15 - 4:30 pm
Break
4:30 - 5:30 pm
Concurrent Sessions
4A. Absence Eras Tour
4B. Building a framework to evaluate the impact of leave benefits on employee productivity, satisfaction and retention
4C. How a RTW Program Can Encourage Employee Satisfaction and Resilience
4D. Creating a Common Sense and Compassionate Leave Strategy
4:30 - 5:30 pm
Quick-Dive Sessions
4:30-4:55 pm – 4E. Revolutionizing Disability Management: Reducing Claims Through Innovative Mental Health
Solutions
5:05-5:30 pm – 4F. Multi-state PFML private plan implementation timeline
5:30 - 6:30 pm
Happy Hour with Exhibitors
Mingle and relax with attendees and exhibitors after a full day of sessions. Enjoy complimentary drinks and light snacks during happy hour.
Wednesday
August 6, 2025
7:00 - 8:00 am
Breakfast with Exhibitors
8:00 - 8:15 am
DMEC Announcements and Awards
8:15 - 9:15 am
Federal Paid Leave During the Trump Administration – Myth, Mystery, Reality
Coming soon
9:15 - 10:15 am
DMEC Legislative Panel Discussion
Coming soon
10:15 - 11:00 am
Coffee & Conversation Break with Exhibitors
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Concurrent Sessions
5A. Harnessing Integrated Data to Enhance Employee Health Insights
5B. Solving the Puzzle: How PFML, Benefits and Accruals Fit Together
5C. Defining the Future of AI in Absence Management: Review of Think Tank Findings
5D. Next Gen Leave: What True Technology Disruption Could Look Like
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Quick-Dive Sessions
11:00-11:25 am – 6E. What is Good Faith – and how do you demonstrate it?
11:35 am-12:00 pm – 6F. The Impact of Caregiving Support on Leave
12:00 - 1:30 pm
Lunch with Exhibitors
12:50-1:20 pm
Bonus Education: Lunch & Learn
Coming soon
1:30 - 2:30 pm
Concurrent Sessions
6A. Advancing Equity Through Employee Benefits: A Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Imperative
6B. Beyond Benefits: Holistic Strategies to Optimize Employee Support and Engagement
6C. Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Employee Expectations and Employer Obligations
6D. Empowering Parents: Parental Leave Planning Insights Supported with Digital Tech Solutions
6E. Mental Fitness and Resiliency
2:30 - 3:15 pm
Dessert with Exhibitors
Sponsored by TRISTAR
3:15 - 4:15 pm
Healthier Communities Start with Paid Leave: Colorado Joins the Research
Coming soon
3:15 - 4:15 pm
Roundtable Discussions
Join industry peers for small-group discussions on hot topics within the industry. Share challenges, opportunities, and best practices from your organization’s experience.
4:15 - 4:30 pm
Break
4:30 - 5:30 pm
Concurrent Sessions
7A. Untangle the Tangled Mess – PFML Private Plan Applications & Renewals
7B. Health-focused Attendance Support: retention of employees with disabilities
7C. There’s an AI for that! The Future of Integrated Absence Management and How AI Connects the Dots
7D. Advancing Accessibility and Inclusion through Proactive Disability Management: Insights from the Canada Energy Regulator
7E. Empowering Caregivers in the Workplace: A Collaborative Approach to Well-Being
7:00 - 10:00 pm
DMEC Washingon DC at Night!
Thursday
August 7, 2025
7:00 - 8:30 am
Breakfast with Exhibitors
8:15 - 8:30 am
DMEC Announcements
8:30 - 9:30 am
Trauma Informed Management Strategies
Coming soon
9:30 - 10:30 am
Beyond Leave: The Importance of Mental Health in the Workplace for Gen Z
Coming soon
10:30 - 10:45 am
Coffee & Conversation Break
10:45 - 11:45 am
Beyond Compliance: Creating a Disability-Inclusive Workplace
Coming soon
