Sotos Syndrome Support Association
SSSA Conference 2012 

Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver West with Mountains

July 20 - 22, 2012

Spectacular by Nature!

 

Vancouver has majestic mountains, the sparkling ocean and an intriguing rainforest -- all within minutes of one another. The New York Times described Vancouver as "Manhattan with mountains". There is something for everyone!

 

Every family has a common bond - ours is the Sotos connection. You can spend years meeting people and never run into another family affected by Sotos syndrome. The SSSA Annual Conference is the only place you can sit across the table from someone that has the same joys, heartache, and emotional feelings. The greatness of that moment, when one can relate with other families, is beyond measure.

 

The conference brings together 50 - 75 families from around the world to meet with professionals in the health and education fields to speak about Sotos syndrome.  The event is set up to allow for families to network, get to know each other and reconnect with old friends.  Activities are planned for infants through young adults to allow their parents to attend the informative presentations.

 

The weekend starts with registration during the afternoon on Friday. That evening you will not want to miss the family dinner, silent auction and entertainment. Saturday morning starts bright and early at 8 am with check-in for child care and young adult activities. Informative presentations will fill the day until approximately 4 pm and the rest of Saturday you are free to relax by the pool or visit the town. Sunday morning a family breakfast is offered along with a business meeting followed by the Doctor's Panel - where any and all questions are answered in a group setting. By noon on Sunday, most of us are done while new families should plan to stay until 4 pm for their private consultation with one of the doctors.

The Speakers

Dr. SchaeferDr. Cole

 

 

 

Geneticists, Dr. Brad Schaefer (left) and Dr. Trevor Cole (right) and Genetic Counselor, Ms. Rebecca Anderson will give their highly popular presentations describing Sotos syndrome and any new advances in the medical world. They will also offer private consultations to families that request them at the time of registration.

 

 

 

 Details about additional presentation topics and speakers will be announced over the coming months. Stay tuned.
Registration desk Williamsburg 

Registration

 

Our online conference registration system will open in late February. We'll e-mail an announcement when the system goes live on our web site (click here for registration information). In the meantime, there's lots for attendees to do to get ready for the conference.

 

 

Apply Now for Financial Assistance

 

The SSSA (U.S.) and SSSAC (Canadian) both offer financial assistance for families to attend the conference. Applications are being accepted now. To access application information and forms, click here.

 
 
 
Travel

Flight and Hotel Reservations

Vancouver Aerial

Now is the time to be making your flight and hotel reservations. You don't have to wait until after you register for the conference.

 

Most travelers will want to fly into Vancouver International Airport. It's only a 30 minute drive from the airport to our conference hotel and costs about $30.00 by taxi. Some Americans may find it significantly cheaper to fly to Seattle and drive the rest of the way to Vancouver, Canada. It will take about 3 hours to drive from the Seattle airport to our conference hotel in downtown Vancouver, plus time spent crossing the border. Depending on your holiday plans, this may or may not be worthwhile.

 


Our conference hotel is the Coast Plaza Hotel and Suites on the edge of downtown Vancouver. Attendees are strongly encouraged to make their hotel reservations as soon as possible. Our special room rate is $169.00 / night for single or double occupancy. Children stay free in the same room with a paying adult. Rooms are limited and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis until June 19th or until all rooms have been filled, whichever comes first. Reserve now by calling (800) 663-1144 or (604) 688-7711 and telling them you are part of the Sotos Syndrome Conference. Or...click here to reserve using the hotel website (our group code of CPS-GFC3790290 will be automatically filled in for you).

 

Crossing the Border

 

Information for Travelers from the United States into Canada

 

EVERYONE including children traveling between the United States and Canada by land, sea (including cruises and ferries) or air is required to present a valid PASSPORT or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security to cross the border.

Washington State residents can apply to have their driver's licenses enhanced, allowing for the use of a single, low-cost document for crossing the border between Canada and the US by land and sea. For more information visit this link.

 

Please visit the following sites for up-to-date travel and border information.
 Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative 
 Canada Border Services Agency

 

Tourism Suggestions

 

For general information about Vancouver and the vicinity please visit the following websites where you can order free tourism brochures. www.TourismVancouver.com   www.HelloBC.com.

 

The best thing about our conference hotel is location, location, location. It will make a terrific home base to extend your stay and take advantage of the many things Vancouver has to offer. Here's our personal suggestions for family friendly activities that will give you the unique flavor of Vancouver. And they're all less than 25 minutes away from our hotel! Read more....Stanley Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Photos courtesy Vancouver Tourism)