ican Annual Conference
Q. What can I expect if I attend the ican Bi-Annual Family Conference?
Every other year we meet in different cities giving families the opportunity to connect and reconnect, the children see their friends again and we learn from speakers who are experts in their field. We learn from educators, researchers and medical professionals and mostly from each other. We strive to better understand our own children and what we can do to help them. We gain knowledge, perspective and hope. We also have a lot of fun, meeting new friends and checking in with old ones from past conferences.
Q. When is the conference and how long does it last?
The conference will be held June 19-21, 2009. We usually, kick-off the conference on a Friday night with a mixer that normally includes light fare and beverages. This gives us a chance to say hello, meet new and old friends, and get excited. On the Saturday there are talks and workshops, a banquet on Saturday night and an activity on Sunday morning for families before everyone leaves to go home.
Q. Where is the conference?
The conference in 2009 will be in Los Angeles, California. The Official hotel where the social events and meetings will be is the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn, 4222 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91602. 1-818-255-7491 www.beverlygarland.com.
Special conference rates of $159 a night have been negotiated. Please mention ican when making reservations to get the conference rate.
Q. Who may attend the conference?
Everyone is invited to attend the conference. This includes parents, their children(those with Anophthalmia/microphthalmia as well as siblings), extended relatives, friends and professionals.
Q. Will childcare be provided?
Yes, we’ve always provided childcare. In the past several years, we have grown so much that for the 2009 conference we are inaugurating a new feature. We will have a staff of paid professionals through a special corporation that specializes in conference childcare. We anticipate a program that the children will enjoy with many activities to keep them busy and happy. We know personally that if parents know their children are happy, they can get the most out of the meetings.
Q. How old are the children in childcare?
We generally have children of all ages - from infants to 18. We have both typically developing children and our children who are affected with A/M in childcare. Siblings are often helpful and nurturing as they know their brother or sister best.
Q. What is included in the price of registration?
Our annual conference is an extremely important educational tool of our organization. Each family is responsible for their hotel room or lodging; it is not a part of registration. The registration fee includes the Friday night mixer, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday, the facility for our sessions, printed materials, and speaker costs.
For many years, we have charged each attendee a very nominal registration fee for the conference. It is our desire to make it possible for as many families wishing to attend the conference to do so. We have tried over the years not to increase the amount we collect for registration from the families. This amount has been the same for years and is artificially low. Not surprisingly, our expenses have increased greatly over the years, but our registration fee has remained the same. Also, as we explained, we are growing and have had to seek childcare to be hired professionals. With these things in mind, we have raised the registration fee slightly this year. That being said, we will always keep in mind that the conference is a critical element of the educational services we provide to our members, and we will do our best to make it economically feasible for our members to attend. However, this year there may have to be an additional charge for childcare if we are unable to find a sponsor. We are also working very hard to raise money in order to help more families attend the meeting.
Q. Is there any financial support to families to attend the conference?
Yes! Families may apply for a conference scholarship. Simply contact Jodi Dennis at jodidennis@anophthalmia.org or Tanya Bardakjian at 215-456-8726 to apply for a conference scholarship.
In addition many community organizations are very responsive to the needs of persons with A/M wishing to attend a conference. We urge families to seek financial support through local school systems, social service agencies, national/state disability programs, regional businesses and/or service clubs including your local Loins club, emphasizing the importance for the person with A/M to be seen by a team of A/M experts. If you require some help with this call ican at 1-800-580-ican. Or e-mail ican@anophthalmia.org
Q. What topics are included in the sessions?
It is important to realize that the annual conference does not follow the same format each year. In the past, our conference chairs have done a fabulous job making each conference unique and appealing to as many attendees as possible. Some years there are many choices according to the age or developmental stage of our children. Some years seem to be more sharing and networking. However, some aspects of the conference remain consistent from year to year. For example, Genetics 101 and the Research Update as well as the oculoplastic and ocularist update will be part of the conference every year. You can visit the website and get a feel for what the conference will look like this year. As we get closer to the date, the schedule and more information about the sessions will become available.
Q. How do I register for the conference?
You register for the conference by going to our website and finding the area for the Annual Conference and download a registration form. Fill it out and mail it in to the address listed on the form. Registrations will also be mailed to all those on the ican mailing list. Remember that registering for membership is not the same as registering for the conference.
Q. Do I have to stay at the same hotel as the conference?
Being together at the same hotel is so important and lends itself to the very purpose of our conference. The opportunity to spend time with other families living the same life as you are is well worth the money spent to stay in the conference hotel. There are other hotels nearby which may offer a lower rate but there are always informal get-togethers after the conference activities that you might miss if you are staying at another hotel. Most people secure their hotel room first. We encourage you to do this early. In the past, there have been some very upset members who realized too late there were no more rooms at the host hotel. We encourage you to register for the conference at your earliest convenience. Although it has never happened to date, we cannot guarantee, if we are inundated with attendees, that we will not enforce a cut-off. This would mean we have maxed out on numbers that can be accommodated properly. So please register early.
Q. May I receive a refund if I am unable to attend the conference?
Under most circumstances, there will be no refund. When this has happened in the past, most families consider their fee a donation. If the conditions are extremely serious, feel free to contact the office to discuss the issue.
Q. I am a teacher/therapist/nurse/etc. for a very wonderful child with a anophthalmia/microphthalmia, and I would love to attend the conference. What is my fee?
All professionals are expected to pay the full professional registration fee which includes the meals on the day of the educational conference.
Q. Will I be able to talk to doctors and specialists about my child/child’s condition?
While many of our speakers are professionals in their field and will be very willing to chat with you about your child, and discuss general aspects of current research, please remember that this is not a clinical setting and they cannot dispense individual medical care. If you want your child evaluated there is a FREE clinic held on Friday afternoon, June 19th. Registration is required for this.
Q. What airport is closest to the conference locations?
Los Angeles International airport (LAX) is very close.
Who do I contact with additional questions?
You can contact Tanya Bardakjian at 215-456-8726 or bardakjiant@einstein.edu or
Jodi Dennis jodidennis@anophthalmia.org
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