2026 NAMI California Annual Conference

October 8 & 9, 2026

Anaheim, CA

We gather at conference to have meaningful conversations about the issues that impact those who are living with mental illness and the individuals and organizations who support their journey. Through a mix of presentations, table talks and social networking, attendees create connections and participate in shared learning opportunities that drive hope, collaboration, and collective action.

Registration is now open for the 2026 NAMI California Annual Conference

Early Bird

Active through Aug. 21, 2026.

Group Registration

Active through Oct. 2, 2026.

Book your stay now

Hotel Fera Anaheim, a DoubleTree by Hilton
Deadline to reserve: 9/15 at 5 p.m.

Browse available rooms here

Keynote Speakers

Day 1 (Oct. 8): Daniel Gillison

Daniel H. Gillison, Jr.

NAMI National
Chief Executive Officer

Dan Gillison is chief executive officer of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, serving more than 650 communities across the country. A nationally recognized mental health advocate and nonprofit leader, Dan brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors, along with a deep passion for mental health advocacy fueled by lived experience with mental illness and its impact on families.

Since joining NAMI in 2020, Dan has led the organization through a period of significant growth and expanded impact. Under his leadership, NAMI has received two transformative unrestricted gifts from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, helping accelerate the organization’s mission and long-term impact. NAMI also published two You Are Not Alone books—one focused on helping individuals navigate their own mental health journey and another designed to support parents and caregivers navigating their child’s mental health.

Dan is a sought-after speaker and thought leader on mental health, workplace well-being, health equity, and the future of mental health care. He serves on the National Institute of Mental Health’s National Advisory Mental Health Council, the lululemon Global Wellbeing Advisory Board, and the National Health Council Board of Directors.

Prior to joining NAMI, Dan served as executive director of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation and held leadership positions with the National Association of
Counties, Xerox, Nextel, and Sprint.

Day 2 (Oct. 9): Dr. Gary Tsai

Gary Tsai, MD, DFAPA, FASA

Gary Tsai, M.D. is a physician executive board certified in both psychiatry and addiction medicine. He is the Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Telecare Corporation. In this role, he provides executive leadership for clinical strategy, quality, innovation, and medical affairs across one of the nation’s leading behavioral health organizations. His focuses include advancing person-centered, recovery-oriented care for individuals with complex behavioral health needs, as well as improving outcomes, strengthening the workforce, and supporting Telecare’s continued growth across California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Nebraska.

Dr. Tsai most recently served as the Director of the Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC) within the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. In that role, he led more than 600 staff and oversaw an annual budget of approximately $760 million, overseeing a full spectrum of substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services for Los Angeles County’s 10 million residents. He led the transformation of the specialty substance use system through the implementation of payment reform and value-based payments, federal waivers including the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System and California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiatives, an electronic health record system that moved the substance use system from a primarily paper-based to an electronic system, passage of legislation to strengthen the substance use counselor workforce and lower barriers to care, and the development of award winning tools to improve access to services, such as the mobile-friendly http://www.RecoverLA.org platform and the Service and Bed Availability Tool (www.SUDHelpLA.org), among other systems-level innovations.

Dr. Tsai also serves as a Governor-appointed Commissioner on the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, a member of the Board of Directors of NAMI California, and on the California Health and Human Services Agency Behavioral Health Task Force.

Having experienced firsthand the stigma and criminalization that often accompany serious mental illness as the son of a mother with schizophrenia, Dr. Tsai is a passionate advocate for improving behavioral health services and systems. In pursuit of meaningful change, he founded Forgotten Films, a production company focused on social impact storytelling in behavioral health. Its first film, Voices (www.VoicesDocumentary.com), premiered on public television during Mental Health Awareness Month in 2015 and received a SAMHSA Voice Award. He is also the award-winning author of Against All Odds: A Practical Guide to Successfully Navigate Psychosis and Behavioral Health Systems (www.AgainstAllOddsToday.com), published in 2022.

Dr. Tsai completed his medical training at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine and his residency training at the San Mateo County Psychiatry Residency Training Program. His professional interests include severe mental illness and addiction, public and cultural psychiatry, behavioral health policy, and media/technology in behavioral health.

Conference Tracks

Youth and Young Adults

Sessions that explore strategies and best practices for early identification, intervention, reducing stigma and/or discrimination related to mental health conditions impacting those age 24 and younger.

Criminal Justice & Mental Health Policy

Address the impact of mental health policies and those involved in the crisis intervention and justice systems such as law enforcement, medical professionals, prosecutors, social workers, and other professionals connected to those living with mental illness who are justice-involved.

Dual Diagnoses (Co-Occurring Disorders)

Discuss the interconnectedness of serious mental illness (SMI) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and strategies to improve prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services for those living with, or at risk of developing, co-occurring substance-related and mental health disorders.

Caregiver Resiliency & Self-Care

Provide practical strategies, best practices and education for caregivers on ways to maintain their physical, emotional, and/or overall mental well-being.

Innovation

New or evolving strategies, methodologies and/or technology-based solutions to improve access to mental healthcare, particularly in underserved communities.

The application to submit a workshop proposal is now closed. For more information email conference@namica.org.

Exhibitor

Our online Exhibitor Interest Form is now closed. If you have questions about the availability of an Exhibitor space, please email us at conference@namica.org and a NAMI California staff member will follow up with you.

Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below and Exhibitor Info Sheet for more detailed information.

Exhibitor FAQs

How much does it cost to have an Exhibitor space at the conference?

$800 – Standard Rate, $450 – Non-Profit Rate

Can the fee be paid post-event?

No. The fee must be paid in advance of the event to confirm the Exhibitor space reservation.

What if my organization wants to sponsor the conference and also have an Exhibitor space?

We have a separate process for those who want to do both. Please email us at conference@namica.org to inquire about sponsorship level that includes an Exhibitor space within the benefits package.

What is included in the Exhibitor space?

1 six-foot table covered and skirted with a linen tablecloth, 2 chairs, a pre-assigned Exhibitor space located in the foyer area outside of the main ballroom where general sessions will take place.

Can I get a copy of the full conference schedule?

Yes. When finalized, the full conference schedule will be available the NAMI CA website.

Will there be a printed program for the conference? Will Exhibitors be listed in the program?

Yes. There will also be a digital version of the program posted for viewing and download on the NAMI CA website. Yes, the program will include a page in the program that list Exhibitors’ organization/agency names.

Approximately how many people are expected to participate in the conference?

500

Who typically attends the conference?

Our conference attendees are a mix of family members and caregivers of those impacted by serious mental illness in addition to healthcare professionals, students, educators/school personnel, leaders/advocates from community-based organizations, and NAMI volunteers and staff from across California.

What are the hours Exhibitors are expected to staff their Exhibitor table?

Thursday, October 8, 8:00am to 4:00 pm
Friday, October 9, 8:00am to 3:00pm

Are the exhibit set up and tear down times available? Dates and times.

Exhibitors are able to set up their exhibit on Thursday, October 8th at 7:30 a.m. The conference breakfast starts at 8:00 a.m.  Tear down will take place at 2:45 p.m. on Friday, October 9.

Can I set up my table the day before the start of the conference on 10/7?

No. There is another event happening on 10/7 and there will not be space available for Conference Exhibitors to set up in advance of Day 1 of the conference.

Am I able to ship the materials for my Exhibit space to the hotel in advance of the conference?

Yes, the host hotel, Hotel FERA Anaheim (a Doubletree by Hilton), will accept shipments up to four days before the conference. A form required by the host hotel must be completed and sent to them no later than two weeks prior to the event date. A fee of $8.00 per box, per day will be assessed to the Exhibitor for all days prior to the event start date. The form will be provided to Exhibitors by NAMI CA.

Are there limits to the space available to each exhibitor?

Our Exhibitor tables are going to be 6’ tables along the parameter of the walls.  If more space is needed, please include that information when completing the Exhibitor Interest Form.

Is there electricity?

Yes. The host hotel has a form Exhibitors can complete to get a quote of the estimated charges for the provision of this service. The form will be provided to Exhibitors by NAMI CA. Exhibitors will be responsible for paying the fees associated with the provision of electricity.

Can I sell products or services at the conference?

No. Exhibitors are expected to provide information-only materials.

Is there security for the overall event?

Yes, the hotel security will be present for both days of the conference. However, in the evening hours when the conference is not in session, materials left on Exhibitors’ tables will not be monitored.

If I have materials left over at the end of the conference and what them shipped back to my organization, will the hotel take care of that for me?

The hotel does allow outbound pickup of materials. Exhibitors are responsible for packing, shipping and labeling box(es) of materials for pick up by the selected carrier company. The hotel has a form Exhibitor need to complete and submit to them prior to the service date. NAMI CA will supply the form to Exhibitors.

2025 NAMI California Annual Conference Recap

October 16 & 17, 2025

Thank you to all who joined us for an incredible two days at the 2025 NAMI California Annual Conference!

This year, we were proud to come together with hundreds of family members, educators, mental health professionals and advocates in Sacramento.

Together, we listened, learned, networked and stood united under one goal — reducing the stigma of mental illness through community, education and advocacy.

From inspiring keynote speeches by former Major League Baseball player and mental health advocate Drew Robinson and Former U.S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy to meaningful discussions and powerful moments of connection, this year’s conference reminded us of the strength found in community and hope.

Thank you to our incredible speakers, attendees, and partners for making this year’s Annual Conference unforgettable.