United in Hope:
International PWS Conference
24-28 June 2025
Thank you for an unforgettable conference!
IPWSO was proud to co-host the United in Hope: International PWS Conference, held June 24–28, 2025, at the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, in partnership with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA (PWSA | USA), and the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research (FPWR).
The conference theme, “United in Hope”, celebrated this unprecedented collaboration, which brought together families, researchers, and professionals from around the world. It was the largest international PWS conference to date, offering a powerful platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and shared inspiration. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this event a success. Stay tuned for more conference highlights and recordings coming soon!
Photo Gallery
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.
Selected video presentations from the Clinical and Scientific Conference are available on the Conference Playlist found here.
Keynote Speakers
Marnie E Blewitt, PhD
Presenting on:
“Epigenetic Activation of the PWS Locus as a Potential Therapeutic Approach”.
Jeffrey M Friedman, MD PhD
Presenting on:
“Obesity, Causes and Treatment: The End of the Beginning”.
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
Professional Providers Conference
Date: 25 & 26 June 2025
The Professional Providers Conference brought together specialists from around the world for two days of oral presentations and poster sessions on topics vital to the professional care of individuals with PWS.
With a strong focus on “Sharing the care,” the conference explored the essential role of professional providers in supporting families, clinical teams, and interdisciplinary services. The goal: to promote a whole-person approach that helps individuals with PWS thrive in residential care settings.
Whether attendees were involved in daily caregiving, occasional support, or working with national PWS associations, the event fostered rich collaboration and meaningful exchanges of knowledge and experience.
Family Conference
Date: 27 & 28 June 2025
Download the detailed Program here.
Selected video presentations from the Family Conference are available on the Conference Playlist found here.
With thanks to our sponsors
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Travel Scholarships: UIH PWS 2025
IPWSO was pleased to offer 10 Travel Scholarships to people wishing to attend the United in Hope: International PWS Conference but who could not do so without some financial support. Thanks to our sponsors, Friends of IPWSO (USA) and PWSA Norway and their grants were provided to professionals and parents from Argentina, Bulgaria, Brazil, China, Colombia, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico and Nigeria.
SPW Brasil & IPWSO to co-host PWS 2028
Since its first Conference in 1991, IPWSO Conferences have been held in 12 countries on 5 continents and we are pleased to report that our 13th International Conference in 2028 will be held against the fabulous backdrop of Foz do Iguacu, Brazil. We look forward to working with SPW Brasil to bring our global PWS community together again.