PPMD's Annual CONNECT Conference
June 25- 28, 2009 - Atlanta, GA

Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy is excited to host the 15th Annual PPMD Connect Conference at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, in Atlanta, Georgia from Thursday, June 25 through Sunday, June 28. This recently refurbished, extremely handicap accessible hotel is nestled in the heart of the city, just blocks away from the internationally renowned Georgia Aquarium, Underground Atlanta, Centennial Olympic Park, and the World of Coca-Cola. The hotel is easily to reach by Atlanta’s subway system, MARTA, which runs frequently from the airport.

As always, the Connect Conference will bring you numerous presentations on all of the latest Duchenne Conf 09 Group research, clinical trials, new drug discovery, off-label use of drugs, care and treatment updates, social issues, and other topics which deal with the overall well being of all those affected by Duchenne. We've listened to what you've suggested and are trying to make this Conference as comprehensive as possible.

Every year Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy’s annual conference grows, as does the work in the field of Duchenne. With better understanding of optimal care, more emerging research strategies on the horizon, and a growing need for the Duchenne community to unite, this year’s Connect Conference will prove to be one of the most informative, comprehensive, and complete gatherings ever.

Registration links are below, as well as an outline of the Conference agenda, hotel & travel information, and FAQs.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact Ryan Fischer.

Conference Agenda

Listening to your feedback from last year’s Connect Conference, we have added even more breakout sessions, personal time with the researchers and clinicians, and panel discussions with Q&As to the agenda. Click here to download a PDF version of the current agenda.

Please note that this agenda is current as of May 6, 2009 and may be subject to change.

Exciting NEW Event: Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

We invite you to join us on Friday night, June 26 for a great Family Fun Night at Turner Field. PPMD is excited to be working with the Atlanta Braves who have helped to coordinate this fun Conf 09 Turner Field group event. Come watch one of the best games of the season, as the Atlanta Braves take on the Boston Red Sox. What better way to unwind after a long conference day. Tickets are $25 and include an End Duchenne Baseball tee, End Duchenne ball cap, and one adult ticket. We will provide extensive details when you pick up your tickets at Conference registration, if you want to use public transportation. You can take the MARTA train one stop to a MARTA shuttle that will drop you off at Turner field for $2.25. MARTA is wheelchair accessible, but if you have your own van, please talk to Kimberly Galberaith or Will Nolan about parking and carpooling. Pre-registration for this event is mandatory. We have a limited number of seats and a limited number of handicap accessible seats. Please email Will Nolan after you make your reservation, and let him know the number of accessible seats you will need.

Also, the Georgia Aquarium, the world’s largest aquarium, is giving PPMD Conference attendees and their families a special discount on tickets. Visit our exclusive Georgia Aquarium web page to receive a VIP ticket at a general admission rate. This ticket will allow you to attend the aquarium whenever you want, without making a reservation for a specific time and date. The Georgia Aquarium features more animals than any other aquarium in more than eight million gallons of water. Through a path of more than sixty exhibits, the Aquarium tells a global water story, with features modeled after the greatest zoos and aquariums in the world. Each majestic exhibit is designed to inspire, entertain and educate.

Registration Details and Fees

The 2009 Connect Conference Fee is $275 per person prior to May 15, 2009, and $325 per person after May 15, 2009. The Registration Deadline is June 10th.

Your Connect Conference Fee covers registration for all general presentations, breakout sessions, and panel discussions. It also covers printed materials, Breakfast on June 26th and 27th, Lunch on June 25th, 26th and 27th, Dinner on June 27th, and a Welcome reception on Thursday evening, June 25th.

PPMD will verify your Connect Conference registration via confirmation email. Please make sure to fill out the Conference registration completely. Conference fees must accompany your registration. The fee can be paid by credit card online, or you can download and print the registration form and mail it in with you check.

Remember to also mark if you are going to join us for our exciting Family Fun Night at Turner Field where the Atlanta Braves will take on the Boston Red Sox (an additional $25 per person attending the game).

Hotel and Travel Information

Hotel: Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy’s 2009 Connect Conference will be held in Atlanta, GA at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis from June 25-28, 2009. Rooms are available at the special conference group rate of $159 per night for single or double occupancy. To receive the special rate, call 866-469-5475 and identify yourself as part of the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy Annual Conference Group prior to Wednesday, June 10, 2009. To reserve your room online, click here. You will be directed to the hotel's home page with the code already entered in the appropriate field. Just enter your arrival date to begin the reservation process. Parking at the hotel is available for $28/day or $32/day for oversized vehicles.

Travel: Travel in and out of Atlanta, GA is quite easy with almost every major airline carrier passing through Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Once you arrive in Atlanta, there are a variety of ways you can get to the Atlanta Marriott Marquis:

Take a private cab from the airport to the hotel (approximately $32, one way)
Take the airport shuttle, Atlanta Link, from the airport to the hotel. Follow signs to Ground Transportation and pick up the Downtown Atlanta Link (approximately $16.50). Note, Atlanta Link makes multiple stops.
Take MARTA, Atlanta’s railway system to the Peachtree Center station stop (approximately $2.25). A full MARTA map is provided for your assistance.

Financial Aid Tips

While PPMD is not in a position to waive Conference registrations or subsidize travel/accommodation expenses, we would like to offer some tips to help you gain the financial assistance you may need to attend this year's Conference. Below is a list of recommendations. While there is no guarantee that you will receive financial aid from one of these outlets, we hope that this list helps inspire you to think creatively to raise the funds you need:

Local town/city government grants
Regional community health grants
Local or regional hospital sponsorship
Church or religious organization sponsorship
Board of Education grants
Hold a small fundraiser or letter writing campaign to garner community support
Service organizations (VFW, Knights of Columbus, etc.)
State aid for disability or educational sponsorship
Corporate sponsorship (your employer, local business, and even national chains, such as Build-A-Bear)

CME Credits

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is accredited by the Ohio State Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits(s) ™.

Conference Sponsorship

PPMD is always looking for sponsors for our Annual Conference. If you or someone you know may be interested please contact Kimberly Galberaith or Ryan Fischer. Below are our sponsorship materials:

Conference sponsorship brochure Conference sponsorship form

DuchenneConnect

We are excited to have DuchenneConnect representatives again at this year's Conference. If you have not registered with this incredible resource, you will have an opportunity to meet with a specialist and set up a profile during the Conference. To do so, just make sure you bring any genetic testing documentation for your son. To make an appointment, for more information, or if you have questions, contact the Coordinator.

FAQs

Q: Can we bring our children to PPMD’s Annual Conference?
A: Yes, you are welcome to bring your children to PPMD’s Annual Connect Conference. However, please remember and keep in mind that the conference presentations are serious topics and quite sensitive and session days are long. For this reason, please make sure to bring someone with you or make arrangements to have someone watch your children while you attend the conference sessions.

Q: Does PPMD provide childcare?
A: No. PPMD is however able to provide you with a list of children’s activities and attractions in the area. There is also an indoor/outdoor swimming pool at this hotel.

Q: When will I see a detailed agenda for the conference?
A: PPMD will post a detailed conference agenda on our website no later than May 15, 2009.

Q: When does the conference start?
A: The conference begins on Thursday, June 25th at 10 a.m. with a coffee get together for all newcomers. The actual conference presentations begin at 12 noon. There are no presentations or activities on Sunday, June 28th. The last event is the Conference Conclusion Dinner on Saturday evening, June 27th.