Lived Experience Collective Convening
The Lived Experience Collective Convening brings together the lived experience community to energize and reinvigorate their passion for turning pain into purpose. Each year, we bring together survivors to build community, learn from one another, and set our changemaking intentions for the coming year. This important community event and conference includes speakers and workshops designed to foster community, networking, self-growth and advocacy strategies. The Lived Experience Collective Convening takes place in October in odd years, and in partnership with the Pan-American Conference of the International Association for Suicide Prevention in even years.
We’re excited to announce the 4th Annual Lived Experience Collective Convening will be held October 24-25, 2025 in Colorado Springs, CO. This year’s Lived Experience Collective Convening focuses on community building, self-care, and cultural inclusion, while empowering the lived experience community to create their individual and organizational advocacy agendas and platforms for creating change and turning pain into purpose. This transformational convening kicks-off with United Survivor’s signature Eye of the Survivor Workshop & Retreat and welcoming reception, followed by a full day of transformational sessions. Registration opens August 2025!
Agenda
This year’s Lived Experience Collective Convening centers on community building, self-care, and cultural inclusion - empowering those with lived experience to shape their personal and organizational advocacy agendas. Together, we aim to transform pain into purpose and create lasting change. Session Format: We’re seeking interactive, hands-on, and community-building sessions that:
Provide space for networking and connection among participants
Offer experiential or practical tools
Encourage action, collaboration, and transformation
Ensure attendees leave with a new tool, insight, or plan they can immediately apply
If you would like your transformational session to be a part of this year’s convening, please complete the following form by July 14, 2025. Session confirmation will be provided on or near July 21st.
Pre-Conference
This year’s convening kicks-off with an Eye of the Survivor Workshop and Retreat and Welcoming Reception. Registration opens August 2025!
Featured & Keynote Speakers
We’re currently bringing together renowned speakers and presenters from the lived experience community for the 4th Annual Lived Experience Collective Convening. If you are interested in being part this event, please email us here or fill out our Call for Engagement.
Sponsors & Partners
If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor or partner for this year’s event, please email us here. Special thanks to the Lived Experience Collective Convening 2024 Sponsors!
Location & Travel
This year’s Lived Experience Collective Convening will be held at the El Pomar Foundation in Colorado Springs, CO. Stay tuned for hotel and conference travel details coming soon!
3rd Annual Lived Experience Collective Convening 2024
Thank you to the amazing speakers, sponsors, committee members, partners and participants who made the 3rd Annual Lived Experience Collective Convening a milestone success!
2nd Annual Lived Experience Collective Convening 2023: Living Beyond Suicide Summit
In 2023, United Suicide Survivors International partnered with Living Beyond Suicide to host the 2023 Summit. Special thanks to all those who came and supported the 2023 summit.
