2026 Tanner Foster In-Person Conference
February 24 & 25, 2026
KACE is excited to feature Trooper Ben for two sessions at the 2026 Tanner-Foster Conference!
Trooper Ben Gardner served Kansas for twenty-six years as a Kansas State Trooper. His career focused on kindness, steady presence, and encouraging people during some of their hardest moments. He became known for speaking to others in simple conversation that helped them feel safe and supported. His #HelpMore message reminds people that small moments of compassion can make a big difference. Today he shares that message through speaking and storytelling that helps others grow forward with purpose and hope.
Tuesday, February 24, 2026:
9:00 AM-1:00 PM - Registration
10:00 - 11:40 AM - Optional Free Pre-Session: QIN/QIO Overview and the CMS Statement of Work: Roles, Responsibilities, and Impact, Telligin, Kansas - Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (2 Admin CEUs)
11:40 AM - 1:00 PM Lunch on Your Own
1:00 PM - Welcome & Sponsor Introduction- Bill Tofflemire
1:10 - 2:00 PM - Provider Perspectives Panel: Effective Marketing Strategies That Drive Results- (1 Admin CE)
2:10 - 3:00 PM - Navigating DPOA and Guardianship: Roles, Rights & Requirements, Jenny Walters, Attorney & Managing Partner, Clinkscales Law Firm, (1 Admin CEU)
3:10 - 4:30 PM - Addressing Behaviors Without Medications: Non-Pharmacological Strategies, Karel Page, Haviland Care (1.5 Res Care CEUs)
4:40 - 5:30 PM - Regulatory Clarifications & KDADS Updates: Arbitration Agreements, Compliance & Ethics, and Paid Feeding Assistants, Dawne Altis, KDADS (1 Res Care CEU)
Conference Reception
6:00-8:00 PM
Kaw Nation Ballroom
The Tanner-Foster Educational Foundation supports scholarships for AIT and Operator Training Programs and for KACE education events.
Conference fundraising opportunities to support the Foundation include:
70's, 80's & 90's Music BINGO - Have fun and play some BINGO during the reception!
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50/50 Cash raffle - Available throughout the conference.
*Purchase tickets for both with your registration or in-person at the conference.
Wednesday, February 25, 2026:
8:00 - 9:20 AM - Protecting Your IT Systems, Computer Network Solutions (1.5 Admin CEUs)
9:30 - 10:20 AM - Making Person-Centered Care Work Every Day, Annie Peace and Team, Meadowlark (1 Res Care CE)
10:20 - 11:00 AM - Tanner Foster Educational Foundation Annual Meeting
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Official Vendor Show (1 Elective CE for Administrators & Operators)
12:00- 1:00 PM - Conference Luncheon
1:00 - 1:50 PM - Trooper Ben Social Media Forward, Trooper Ben (1 Admin CE)
2:00 - 2:50 PM - Conducting Internal Investigations Parallel to the Attorney General's Office, Caryl Gill & Scott Gilchrist (1 Admin CE)
3:00 - 3:50 PM - TBD (1 Admin CE)
4:00 - 4:50 PM - Go and Grow, Trooper Ben (1 Admin CE)
4:50 PM - Closing Remarks & Vendor/Conference drawings
* The Conference schedule is subject to change.
Non-licensed Staff and Non-KACE AIT Student Registrations:
Please see the NEW registration options for non-licensed staff. This is a great opportunity for professional development and investment of staff that you want to provide the conference experience for.
Do you have an AIT who is not in the KACE AIT program? There's a registration option for those students also. Please contact the KACE office for registration assistance.
KACE wants to open the professional development opportunity to future adult care executives and valued staff who will benefit from the conference experience!
Conference Location:
Hilton Garden Inn Manhattan
410 South 3rd St., Manhattan, KS 66502
(785) 532-9116
Hotel Reservations:
Conference room rate: $116.00
Room block and rate available through January 31, 2026.
Reservation Link
Continuing Education Credit:
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT: A total of 14 continuing education clock hours (9.5 Admin and 3.5 Res Care) are approved for this event and the optional pre-convention session for adult care home administrators and registered operators by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (LTS# A1427). This includes 1.0 hours of Electives that are available if the entire convention is attended. Nurses will not receive elective hours. CEU surveys must be submitted within 7 days of close of the event (March 5th). Kansas Adult Care Executives is approved as a provider of continuing education by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. This course offering is approved for 13 contact hours applicable for RN or LPN re-licensure. Kansas State Board of Nursing provider number LT0341-0624.
Thank you to the 2026 Tanner Foster Sponsors:
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