Special Events Schedule
The special events at the conference are the perfect occasions to network, socialize, and celebrate with our LETR and Special Olympics family.
Welcome Night
Wednesday, November 4
4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Unified Sports & Inclusion Center
Don’t miss this unforgettable night! Join us at the Unified Sports & Inclusion Center for the Women’s Unified 3x3 SONA Basketball Finals. While visiting Michigan’s one-of-a-kind inclusion center, you’ll enjoy live music, food trucks, cash bar, facility tours, merchandise, cornhole and so much more! Come be part of an event that truly celebrates inclusion - you could even see your program competing on the court. Transportation will be available to and from the hotel starting at 4 p.m. with the basketball finals tipping off at 6 p.m.
When the tournament ends, keep the fun going at our after party in downtown Grand Rapids! We’ll gather at local bars within walking distance of the hotel to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Unified Sports & Inclusion Center
Don’t miss this unforgettable night! Join us at the Unified Sports & Inclusion Center for the Women’s Unified 3x3 SONA Basketball Finals. While visiting Michigan’s one-of-a-kind inclusion center, you’ll enjoy live music, food trucks, cash bar, facility tours, merchandise, cornhole and so much more! Come be part of an event that truly celebrates inclusion - you could even see your program competing on the court. Transportation will be available to and from the hotel starting at 4 p.m. with the basketball finals tipping off at 6 p.m.
When the tournament ends, keep the fun going at our after party in downtown Grand Rapids! We’ll gather at local bars within walking distance of the hotel to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
T-Shirt Exchange
Thursday, November 5
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Submit your LETR program’s T-shirt for the 3rd annual contest during the T-shirt Exchange. A panel of SO athletes will judge and select the top 10 shirts for recognition and bragging rights. The winning design will be revealed at the general session on Saturday morning. Participate in this competition to showcase your program’s creativity at the conference.
T-shirt boxes can be received by SOMI between September 14, and no later than October 23, 2026. Please ship to Special Olympics Michigan, Attn: LETR Conference c/o Your Program Name, 1120 South Mission Street, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859, USA. Note if you are briging your shirts to the conference instead of mailing, contact Stephanie Graham at Stephanie.graham@somi.org by October 23, 2026 to reserve a table for your Program.
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Submit your LETR program’s T-shirt for the 3rd annual contest during the T-shirt Exchange. A panel of SO athletes will judge and select the top 10 shirts for recognition and bragging rights. The winning design will be revealed at the general session on Saturday morning. Participate in this competition to showcase your program’s creativity at the conference.
T-shirt boxes can be received by SOMI between September 14, and no later than October 23, 2026. Please ship to Special Olympics Michigan, Attn: LETR Conference c/o Your Program Name, 1120 South Mission Street, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859, USA. Note if you are briging your shirts to the conference instead of mailing, contact Stephanie Graham at Stephanie.graham@somi.org by October 23, 2026 to reserve a table for your Program.
- Please make sure to send your t-shirts in sturdy and well-packaged boxes.
- Clearly label each box with the sender and recipient program information.
- If you are sending multiple boxes, mark them sequentially (e.g., “1 of 2" and “2 of 2").
Thursday, November 5
5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
GLC Live at 20 Monroe
Join us at GLC Live at 20 Monroe, a state-of-the-art live entertainment venue located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Managed by Live Nation and operated by a local team of West Michigan natives, the venue features a unique art-deco vibe and a strong, community-focused culture. Just a short walk from the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, you’re in for an unforgettable night of fun!
GLC Live at 20 Monroe
5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
GLC Live at 20 Monroe
Join us at GLC Live at 20 Monroe, a state-of-the-art live entertainment venue located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Managed by Live Nation and operated by a local team of West Michigan natives, the venue features a unique art-deco vibe and a strong, community-focused culture. Just a short walk from the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, you’re in for an unforgettable night of fun!
Live & Silent Auction
Friday, November 6
4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Get in on the action at one of the conference’s most popular events! The Live & Silent Auction is free to register and features an exciting variety of items and experiences you won’t want to miss. Featured items included autographed sports memorabilia, law enforcement keepsakes, hunting trips, vacation stays and electronics, along with many other one-of-a-kind donations.
Preview on-line, stop by, place your bids and take advantage of the opportunity to support a great cause while competing for some truly unique items.
Now Accpeting Donations
Programs are encouraged to donate items to helpmake this year’s auction a great success. Items may be shipped in advance.
Shipping Information for Donations
Special Olympics Michigan
Attn: LETR Auction
1120 South Mission Street
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
All costs associated with shipping auction items to and from the conference are the responsibility of the individual or donating Program. Items submitted for the auction should follow Special Olympics and Law Enforcement Torch Run International branding guidelines. Please ensure shipments arrive by October 23 to allow sufficent time for processing and display.
Registration for bidding will open in August.
4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Get in on the action at one of the conference’s most popular events! The Live & Silent Auction is free to register and features an exciting variety of items and experiences you won’t want to miss. Featured items included autographed sports memorabilia, law enforcement keepsakes, hunting trips, vacation stays and electronics, along with many other one-of-a-kind donations.
Preview on-line, stop by, place your bids and take advantage of the opportunity to support a great cause while competing for some truly unique items.
Now Accpeting Donations
Programs are encouraged to donate items to helpmake this year’s auction a great success. Items may be shipped in advance.
Shipping Information for Donations
Special Olympics Michigan
Attn: LETR Auction
1120 South Mission Street
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
All costs associated with shipping auction items to and from the conference are the responsibility of the individual or donating Program. Items submitted for the auction should follow Special Olympics and Law Enforcement Torch Run International branding guidelines. Please ensure shipments arrive by October 23 to allow sufficent time for processing and display.
Registration for bidding will open in August.
Torch Run
Saturday, November 7
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Downtown Grand Rapids
Participants will proceed from the Devos Place Convention Center to the Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum for staging, commencing at 10:30 a.m. A brief welcome ceremony will take place and we will end at Lyon’s Square to enjoy food, the plunge and a group photo at 12:30 p.m.
Torch Runners will run throughout downtown Grand Rapids. There will also be a walking route this year. Lunch will be provided at the end of the run/walk.
Registration will open in August.
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Downtown Grand Rapids
Participants will proceed from the Devos Place Convention Center to the Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum for staging, commencing at 10:30 a.m. A brief welcome ceremony will take place and we will end at Lyon’s Square to enjoy food, the plunge and a group photo at 12:30 p.m.
Torch Runners will run throughout downtown Grand Rapids. There will also be a walking route this year. Lunch will be provided at the end of the run/walk.
Registration will open in August.
Fundraising Event - Polar Plunge®
Saturday, November 7
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Lyon’s Square
What better way to experience Michigan than to do a Polar Plunge®? No need to head out to one of Michigan’s Great Lakes, we are bringing the plunging experience to you! We will have the Plungers set up and ready for everyone to have fun and take part in a true LETR tradition.
Did you know that the Plungester has helped bring the Polar Plunge® experience to communities where plunging might not be possible? Now used in multiple states, this Plungester experience is a great way to see it in action, learn how it works, and explore how it would work for your local program.
Registration will open in August.
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Lyon’s Square
What better way to experience Michigan than to do a Polar Plunge®? No need to head out to one of Michigan’s Great Lakes, we are bringing the plunging experience to you! We will have the Plungers set up and ready for everyone to have fun and take part in a true LETR tradition.
Did you know that the Plungester has helped bring the Polar Plunge® experience to communities where plunging might not be possible? Now used in multiple states, this Plungester experience is a great way to see it in action, learn how it works, and explore how it would work for your local program.
Registration will open in August.
Unified Event
Saturday, November 7
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Devos Place Convention Center
Unified Pickleball Experience
Join us as we showcase our newest Unified Sport... Pickleball! Individuals can sign up for a time slot and you’ll be randomly paired with a Special Olympics Athlete that you will compete alongside in a Unified Doubles match against another Unified Pair. Teams will compete in a 20 minute match with 5 minutes to warm up. So be sure to pack that athletic wear and join us as we showcase the true spirit of Special Olympics through this Unified Pickleball Experience. Registration will be coming soon.
Registration will open in August.
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Devos Place Convention Center
Unified Pickleball Experience
Join us as we showcase our newest Unified Sport... Pickleball! Individuals can sign up for a time slot and you’ll be randomly paired with a Special Olympics Athlete that you will compete alongside in a Unified Doubles match against another Unified Pair. Teams will compete in a 20 minute match with 5 minutes to warm up. So be sure to pack that athletic wear and join us as we showcase the true spirit of Special Olympics through this Unified Pickleball Experience. Registration will be coming soon.
Registration will open in August.
Explore the comprehensive schedule for the 2025 LETR International Conference to make the most of your experience and ensure you don’t miss any key sessions or events.