All Things Family Conference

February 22, 2023June 7, 2023 Category: News Posted by Kelley Atchison

On February 15, I had the pleasure of joining some new and returning families on a webinar to answer all of their questions about the NFED Family Conference, which will take place July 14 – 16.

If you weren’t able to join us at the webinar, I want to share some of the great questions that came up and other frequently asked questions for you to review if you’re considering registering for this year’s conference.  

Ready to Join Us? Register Now!

1. Where is the 2023 Family Conference being held, and how do I reserve a room?

This year’s conference will be held at the Omni Interlocken Hotel in Broomfield, Colorado. The hotel is conveniently located between Denver and Boulder and has beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains.

The NFED has a room block for conference attendees, which includes a special conference rate of $209 USD/night plus taxes and fees. Make your reservations by calling 800-THE-OMNI (800-843-6664) and asking for the NFED 2023 Family Conference or booking online at bit.ly/FamCon23_Hotel_Block.

The room block deadline is Monday, June 12, 2023, at 5 p.m. MDT.

PRO TIP!
The hotel conference rooms are kept cool for our families who cannot sweat. We encourage you to dress in layers and/or bring a jacket/sweater with you to sessions, as it will likely be chilly in the room.

2. How do I get to the conference?

The conference hotel is located 28 miles from the Denver International Airport (DEN).

You have many ground transportation options to consider. DEN offers convenient onsite vehicle rental pick-up and return. You can also use rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft for the approximately 30-minute drive from the airport to the hotel.

If you are going to rent a car or drive to the conference from home, onsite parking is free for hotel guests.

3. Does registration include meals? And, what if I have specific dietary preferences?

We encourage you to include any dietary preferences (vegan, gluten-free, kosher, etc.) at the time of registration. However, we know that sometimes preferences and/or needs change. You can always email me at kelley@nfed.org or call our office at 618-566-2020 with your dietary preferences.

PRO TIP!
Have a picky eater? We highly recommend bringing snacks that your picky eater enjoys. Guest rooms will have small refrigerators for storing perishable items.

4. I need financial assistance to be able to attend the Family Conference. What does the scholarship cover?

Families who are awarded scholarships through Bev Meier’s Golden Ticket Fund can receive funding to cover their lodging and/or registration fees. If you receive a scholarship for lodging, this will cover your hotel room costs for two nights. You will be responsible for making and paying for your room reservation up front, and we will provide you with a reimbursement check at the event.

Scholarships do NOT provide funding for travel fees, like flight and ground transportation costs.

You can request a scholarship when you register. On the registration form, be sure to select the funding you are requesting a scholarship for—registration fees, lodging or both. To be considered for a scholarship for the 2023 Family Conference, your registration must be received by 12 p.m. MST on Friday, March 31.

5. When will I find out if I have been awarded a scholarship?

While we wish we could award the requested funding to every scholarship applicant, our funds are limited. We will determine scholarship awards for the 2023 Family Conference after Friday, March 31. Applicants will receive an email with their scholarship status in mid-April.

6. Is Family Conference only for affected individuals?

We welcome anyone who has a loved one affected by ectodermal dysplasia to join us. Unaffected siblings, grandparents, cousins and aunts/uncles are all welcome to attend!

Unaffected children who attend are also welcome to enroll in Kays’ Kids Camp and Teens Program to join in on the fun.

7. What is the benefit of attending the Family Conference?

There are so many reasons to attend the NFED Family Conference, but two of the reasons we hear about the most are—access to medical experts and connecting with other families.

Access to Expert Knowledge

The speakers you will hear from at Family Conference are members of our Scientific Advisory Council who specialize in research and treatment of a variety of symptoms that affect individuals affected by ectodermal dysplasias, such as dermatologists, pediatricians, geneticists and more.

At the conference, they will share their expertise during the session presentations. You will also have the opportunity to schedule a one-on-one appointment with any or all of our speakers during Ask The Experts. While they cannot provide medical advice, they can give you information specific to ectodermal dysplasias that you can take back to your health care providers to help in your treatment.

Supporting You. Supporting Each Other.

Learning from staff and our expert advisors is an important aspect of the conference. But, connecting to other families who are also impacted by an ectodermal dysplasia diagnosis is truly invaluable.

Family Conference is an opportunity for many attendees to meet others with the same diagnosis for the first time. This means you and your loved ones will find validation, understanding and a wealth of resources from families who know what it means to be affected by ectodermal dysplasias. Through hallway encounters, meal times, the pool party and break-out sessions, you will have the opportunity to learn from others as well as share your experiences.

Lifetime friendships are developed at Family Conference by attendees young and old. After attending, you will truly know that you are not alone!

PRO TIP!
Don’t miss the Returning/New Attendee Session, Family Panel and Syndrome-Specific Sessions, where you can learn, share and connect with other families.

Are you ready to join the fun?

Register Today!