Recovery Ecosystems Conference - Compassion, Connection, and Community: Bridging Thriving Recovery Ecosystems Across Appalachia

About the Conference  

Welcome to the Recovery Ecosystems Conference! The 2026 conference agenda is currently being finalized. Our goal with this conference, is to bring together diverse organizations working in areas from crisis to community support of recovery within our Roanoke area, across Virginia and in the broader Appalachian region.

There is strong collective work and collaboration among organizations serving the addiction recovery ecosystem that we hope to share during the event, but we know regional recovery ecosystems have gaps and we can all learn from others who have made a positive impact in their own communities. Save the date for March 5 and 6, 2026 for two days of inspirational speakers, evidence-based research presentations, challenging discussions, knowledge sharing and network building with your cross-sectoral peers.

Over the course of the two days, our goal is to elevate issues relevant to leaders working in areas such as recovery ecosystem coordination, trauma and crisis response, public health/policy, prevention, treatment, peer services, inclusive access to care, addiction research, housing, workforce innovation and long-term wellness. Our goal is to strengthen networks and create new partnerships that advance recovery efforts in the Roanoke Valley, across Virginia, and throughout Appalachia.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Scott Weimer at 540-767-6100 or weimers@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Who Should Attend the Conference

Unfortunately, the addiction crisis impacts many areas of a community and requires a community-wide commitment in response. Recovery ecosystems leverage a multi-sector approach, working collaboratively across different systems to uncover new and effective strategies for addressing the many challenges posed by addiction.

The conference is designed to bring together recovery ecosystem specialists, Emergency Medical Services, law enforcement, the judicial system, healthcare professionals, local and state government representatives, researchers, educators, community support organizations, housing developers, the faith community, and business leaders. This wide array of participants ensures that we integrate a variety of perspectives and expertise into the conference conversation. Varied stakeholder participation will also help us identify the many points of intersection that support different pathways and trajectories of recovery for those individuals and families battling addiction – and to help create more resilient communities as result.

For more information contact Scott Weimer at 540-767-6100 or weimers@vt.edu.