ATRA SoCal
The Connection Rx: Prescribing Belonging Through RT
October 17-19, 2026 | Brea, CA
ATRA Socal 2026
Where Connection Creates Meaningful Change
ATRA’s Annual Conference is the largest gathering of Recreational Therapists in the country. Each year, professionals from across the nation and around the world come together to learn, collaborate, and shape the future of the field.
In 2026, we invite you to explore a powerful idea:
connection as the foundation of health and wellbeing.
The Connection Rx: Prescribing Belonging Through Recreational Therapy
centers on the
essential role Recreational Therapists play in fostering belonging, strengthening communities, and advancing systems that support social connectedness. At a time when
loneliness and isolation are increasingly recognized as public health challenges, Recreational Therapy offers a unique and vital solution. This year's conference will explore
how we connect to our clients, our communities, our profession, and the
systems that shape our work.
Centering connection in socal
What to Expect at ATRA SoCal
Throughout the conference, attendees will have opportunities to engage in shared conversations about the future of Recreational Therapy while also exploring ideas that strengthen their own practice and leadership.
Each day will be anchored by general sessions that bring the entire community together, creating a shared foundation for dialogue around the role of connection, belonging, and wellbeing in our work. Concurrent sessions will offer opportunities for deeper engagement and explore new approaches alongside colleagues who understand the challenges and possibilities of the field.
Additional opportunities for connection include post-conference workshops, Research Institute engagement, on-demand learning, and community building opportunities throughout the event, creating space for both structured learning and meaningful professional relationships.
ATRA SoCal is more than a conference; it is a gathering of professionals committed to advancing Recreational Therapy and strengthening the role of connection in health and wellbeing.
Download our What To Expect Infographic to learn more.
program now available!
ATRA SoCal Program
View the schedule at a glance or the detailed session descriptions to learn more.
ATRA SoCal Registration
Pricing Schedule
This pricing schedule includes registration for the main in-person conference only. Attendees will be invited to add-on additional learning opportunities during registration, if desired: Post-Conference Workshops and ATRA SoCal On-Demand.
Please note that if you wish to add-on learning opportunities during registration, additional registration fees will apply.
Need help? Email us at info@atra-online.com - we're happy to assist!
Interested in Group Rates? Click here to complete a group registration request.
Additional Learning Opportunities
Add-on to your ATRA SoCal learning experience with a
Post-Con Workshop or
ATRA SoCal On-Demand.
ATRA SoCal attendees will be invited to add-on additional learning opportunities during the registration process.
Interested in registering for ATRA SoCal On-Demand but not the main in-person conference?
No problem, you can register for the online event separately HERE.
ATRA SoCal Post-Con Workshops
Tuesday, October 20th | 0.3 CEUs
Extend your ATRA SoCal learning experience with an in-person Post-Conference Workshop. Attendees may select one workshop; all sessions run concurrently. You will be invited to select your workshop of choice when completing your ATRA SoCal registration form.
$75 Members | $95 Non-Members
ATRA SoCal On-Demand
November 2-30, 2026 | Online Event
A meaningful virtual sampling of connection-centered sessions carefully curated to bring you the heart of ATRA SoCal's theme wherever you are (1.0 CEUs).
Virtual content is distinctive from in-person content and is not a replay of in-person sessions.
Available as an add-on to the main conference OR you may register for ATRA SoCal On-Demand seperately.
$150 ATRA Members | $225 Non-Members
Planning for ATRA SoCal
Exhibit/Sponsor
ATRA is seeking Exhibitors and Sponsors for our 2026 Annual Conference! Join us in sunny SoCal for an exciting event centered on social connectedness.
ATRA SoCal Venue & Accommodations
ATRA SoCal will be held at Embassy Suites by Hilton Brea North Orange County, Brea, CA.
Explore Brea, CA!
Brea is known as "the city of art" and is considered Northern SoCal's hub for dining, shopping, and art! Brea is also home to Orange County’s only redwood grove located in Carbon Canyon Regional Park, just a 10 minute drive from our conference venue!
An Exciting Partnership
Meet Our Title Sponsor
Caliber Therapies
ATRA’s vision is a world where every person has access to recreational therapy. Caliber Therapies’ mission, to provide specialized, evidence-based therapies that advance health outcomes and ensure equitable access to care, aligns seamlessly with that vision. Where ATRA empowers the professionals who deliver care, Caliber Therapies creates the opportunities for that care to reach individuals and communities. Together, we can close the gap between those who provide therapy and those who need it most.
This partnership represents more than conference sponsorship. Together, ATRA and Caliber Therapies will collaborate on initiatives that support the recreational therapy workforce, including scholarship fundraising and opportunities that strengthen the future of our profession. We’re excited about what this partnership represents for ATRA, for our members, and for the field of recreational therapy.
View Caliber Therapies' scholarship merch here.
Thank You, Exhibitors!
Gold Exhibitors
Silver Exhibitors
Bronze Exhibitors
Non-Profit Exhibitors
Thank You, Sponsors!
ATRA Awards Ceremony
Research Institute
Committee On Accreditation Of Recreational Therapy Education
Lanyards
Tote Bags
Mobile App
View past conferences HERE.
