United in Hope:
International PWS Conference
24-28 June 2025
Special Announcement!
IPWSO is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA (PWSA | USA), and the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research (FPWR) to host United in Hope – an International PWS Conference to be held June 24-28, 2025 at the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona!The conference theme, “United in Hope”, reflects this unique collaboration, which we anticipate will serve as a catalyst for the largest international PWS conference ever held. Find out more here and share this flyer with your colleagues and friends.
Clinical and Scientific Conference
Date: 25 & 26 June 2025 | Program Committee: Dan Driscoll, MD PhD (Chair); Theresa Strong, PhD (Co-Chair); Ann Scheimann, MD MBA; Charlotte Höybye, MD PhD; Anthony Holland, CBE MD; Jim Resnick, PhD and Nora McNairney, BSc (Hons) Dip RSA.
Keynote Speakers
Marnie E Blewitt, PhD
Presenting on:
“Epigenetic Activation of the PWS Locus as a Potential Therapeutic Approach”.
Jeffrey M Friedman, MD PhD
Anthony J Holland, MD
Presenting on:
“Maintaining Well-being, Improving Mental Health, and Managing Challenging Behaviours: Outcomes from the IPWSO Mental Health Initiative”. Read more
Lauren Holsen, PhD
Presenting on:
“Mapping Brain Circuitry involved in Hpyerphagia in Prader-Willi syndrome to Identify Novel Treatment Targets”. Read more
Call for Abstracts: The Clinical and Scientific Conference will feature oral presentations and poster sessions highlighting advances in clinical, translational, and basic science research of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). This highly interdisciplinary conference also includes invited speakers from relevant fields outside of PWS. Join us for this unique opportunity to connect with scientists and clinicians from across the globe to learn about the latest advances in the PWS field. Please read the guidelines and view the sample abstract template before submitting your abstract. Closing Date for Abstracts: 31 January 2025. Authors will be notified of the outcome by 14 March 2025.
The Foundation for Prader-Willi Research (FPWR) Travel Awards: FPWR will offer a limited number of $1,000 USD travel awards to support trainees attending the Clinical and Scientific Conference. Travel funds can be applied to the conference registration fee, economy airfare, hotel, meals, and ground transportation. Guidance on eligibility can be found here. Click below to apply. Closing Date for FPWR Travel Awards: 31 January 2025.
Professional Providers Conference
Date: 25 & 26 June 2025
Coming Soon: Professional Providers’ Program
The Professional Providers Conference will feature oral presentations and poster sessions on topics essential to specialist professional care of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). This highly collaborative conference focuses on “Sharing the care,” exploring the role of professional providers in supporting family, clinical, and interdisciplinary services to develop a whole-person approach which ultimately helps the person with PWS to live their best life once in residential services. Whether you have daily or occasional involvement as a professional caregiver of people with PWS or are in a supportive role for your country’s national PWS association, we invite you to attend.
Family Conference
Date: 27 & 28 June 2025
Coming Soon: Family Conference Program
Adults with PWS & Camps Programs
Date: 26 June 2025
Coming Soon: Adults with PWS – Program to follow
Date: 27 & 28 June 2025
Coming Soon: PWS Camps – Program to follow
2025 Conference Hotel | Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
Nestled at the base of America’s largest urban park and wilderness preserve, Arizona’s only AAA Four Diamond all-suite resort features spacious one and two-bedroom suites. Whether meeting with colleagues or vacationing with friends, gracious service, creative culinary delights and unique recreational activities await.
The residential-style look of all 744 guest suites at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa provides resort guests with a true “home away from home” experience.
How to Get to Arizona, USA
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is commonly referred to as Sky Harbor Airport. It is Arizona’s largest and busiest airport and is 6 miles (approx. 10 km) from the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa. It is home to 24 airlines offering nonstop flights from Phoenix to more than 120 domestic destinations and 26 international destinations. There are a number of ways to travel from Sky Harbor Airport to the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa. A taxi will cost approximately $18.
With thanks to our sponsors
Platinum
Diamond
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Travel Fellowships – United in Hope
IPWSO was pleased to offer a limited number of Travel Fellowships to people wishing to attend the United in Hope: International PWS Conference but who could not do so without financial support.
This scheme, sponsored by Friends of IPWSO (USA), a non-profit organisation, is now closed.
Interested in hosting PWS 2028?
Since its first Conference in 1991, IPWSO Conferences have been held in 11 countries on 5 continents. Whatever the size of your country or PWS Association, if you would like to host the 2028 IPWSO Conference we would love to hear from you. You can find out more about what hosting an IPWSO Conference entails and how to submit a bid by downloading the Guidance Document and the Budget Template.
Bids will be accepted until 14 February 2025.