Annual Advancing Healthy Lifestyles Conference 2026

Taking Action for Healthier Communities

Thursday, June 4, 2026

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Bally’s Dover Casino Resort

🌟 NEW LOCATION! 🌟

The Division of Public Health, Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity Prevention (PANO) program presents the Advancing Healthy Lifestyles (AHL) Conference 2026: Taking Action for Healthier Communities, on June 4, 2026, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Bally’s Dover Casino Resort (1131 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901).

The conference provides a platform for cross sectional sharing on national, regional, and local best practices, challenges, opportunities, and success stories. With a focus on improving health equity, the ultimate goal of the conference is to strengthen efforts to reduce obesity and other chronic diseases amongst Delawareans. This invitational event includes government legislative and administrative policy makers in public health, nonprofit advocates of health and wellness, educators, medical care givers and policy experts, and academic and medical researchers who are interested or engaged in health disparities, nutrition, chronic illness and obesity prevention. It further serves as an opportunity to close gaps in health inequities, assess progress, and further strengthen the work of community stakeholders.

Check out the fun from our 2025 360 Camera

Applications

If you are interested in being a vendor or a poster presenter, please fill out and submit the appropriate form. Please feel free to reach out to Ahlora Thomas-Lyons if you have any questions by email (athomaslyons@abccreative.com).

Vendor Application Poster Presenter Application

Sponsors/Partners

Thank you to our sponsors! Sponsorship helps keep the conference free for attendees. Want to become a partner in our work? Sponsorship opportunities are available from $500 to $15,000 or more. Fill out an application below.

Sponsorship Application

Sponsor logos will be designated and sized in all printed materials by the level of contribution. Sponsors may also choose to sponsor specific aspects of the program such as the keynote speaker, catered meals, table centerpieces, and speaker’s gifts. We are excited to have you consider becoming a partner in support of this conference’s important work. Please feel free to reach out to Ahlora Thomas-Lyons if you have any questions by email (athomaslyons@abccreative.com).

Agenda

8:00 a.m.
Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Lauren Butscher, CHES, Program Administrator, Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity Prevention Program, Division of Public Health (DPH), Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)
9:10 a.m.
Dignitary Remarks
9:15 a.m.
Transition
9:20 a.m.
Concurrent Breakout Session 1
From Ideas to Impact: Designing Community-Based Health Initiatives through Cross-Sector Collaboration
This session will examine how cross-sector partnerships can advance equitable, community-driven health initiatives.Presenters will share insights from an active collaboration highlighting practical methods for co-design, implementation, and sustainability.Participants will gain strategies to strengthen partnerships, elevate community voices, and translate innovative ideas into measurable health outcomes.

Connected Communities: How Technology Bridges Health Accessibility Gaps
This session will explore how technology is transforming access to care and supporting healthier communities. Presenters will discuss innovative uses of existing and emerging technology tools to reduce barriers and promote healthy behaviors. Participants will learn practical approaches for integrating technology into individual and community health efforts, improving accessibility.

Healthy Habits for Life: Preventing Childhood Obesity Through Community Action
This session will highlight effective individual and community strategies for preventing childhood obesity. Presenters will share examples from community initiatives that encourage healthier habits by reducing screen time, increasing physical activity, and promoting balanced diets through family engagement. Participants will gain practical methods for engaging families, schools, and communities in sustainable approaches that support lifelong healthy behaviors.
10:10 a.m.
Transition
10:15 a.m.
Concurrent Breakout Session 2
From Ideas to Impact: Designing Community-Based Health Initiatives through Cross-Sector Collaboration
This session will examine how cross-sector partnerships can advance equitable, community-driven health initiatives.Presenters will share insights from an active collaboration highlighting practical methods for co-design, implementation, and sustainability.Participants will gain strategies to strengthen partnerships, elevate community voices, and translate innovative ideas into measurable health outcomes.

Connected Communities: How Technology Bridges Health Accessibility Gaps
This session will explore how technology is transforming access to care and supporting healthier communities. Presenters will discuss innovative uses of existing and emerging technology tools to reduce barriers and promote healthy behaviors. Participants will learn practical approaches for integrating technology into individual and community health efforts, improving accessibility.

Healthy Habits for Life: Preventing Childhood Obesity Through Community Action
This session will highlight effective individual and community strategies for preventing childhood obesity. Presenters will share examples from community initiatives that encourage healthier habits by reducing screen time, increasing physical activity, and promoting balanced diets through family engagement. Participants will gain practical methods for engaging families, schools, and communities in sustainable approaches that support lifelong healthy behaviors.
11:05 a.m.
Transition
11:15 a.m.
Activity Break
Seated Yoga with Breath Work
11:45 a.m.
Lunch, Vendor and Poster Sessions
12:50 p.m.
Keynote Speaker Presentation
1:50 p.m.
Break
2:00 p.m.
AHL TED Talk Session (Nutrition Topic)
2:20 p.m.
AHL TED Talk Session (Physical Activity Topic)
2:40 p.m.
AHL TED Talk Session (Obesity Prevention Topic)
3:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks and Door Prizes
3:15 p.m.
Adjourn to Networking Reception and Smoothie Bar
4:00 p.m.
Networking Reception Ends

Annual Advancing Healthy Lifestyles Conference 2026

Taking Action for Healthier Communities

Check out the fun from our 2025 360 Camera

Applications

Sponsors/Partners

Agenda

8:00 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks

9:10 a.m.

Dignitary Remarks

9:15 a.m.

Transition

9:20 a.m.

Concurrent Breakout Session 1

10:10 a.m.

Transition

10:15 a.m.

Concurrent Breakout Session 2

11:05 a.m.

Transition

11:15 a.m.

Activity Break

11:45 a.m.

Lunch, Vendor and Poster Sessions

12:50 p.m.

Keynote Speaker Presentation

1:50 p.m.

Break

2:00 p.m.

AHL TED Talk Session (Nutrition Topic)

2:20 p.m.

AHL TED Talk Session (Physical Activity Topic)

2:40 p.m.

AHL TED Talk Session (Obesity Prevention Topic)

3:00 p.m.

Closing Remarks and Door Prizes

3:15 p.m.

Adjourn to Networking Reception and Smoothie Bar

4:00 p.m.

Networking Reception Ends