Registration is now open for our GRIN2B Family & Research Weekend – July 19-21, 2024 in Aurora, CO.
Register and join us for a weekend of empowerment, education, fun and friendship. The conference will provide attendees with:
- A Researcher-only meeting to review the landscape of all current research in order to help the Foundation develop their strategic research priorities;
- The latest GRIN2B diagnosis, treatment and research information from the world’s leading GRIN2B clinicians and scientists;
- The opportunity to meet other families and individuals with GRIN2B and make life-long connections;
- Networking opportunities and Q&A sessions to foster new relationships and collaborations with clinicians, researchers and service providers;
- Opportunities to enroll in the GRIN Variant Patient Registry, Simons Searchlight Registry and Biobanking Program;
- A better understanding of the role that GRIN2B Foundation plays in supporting families and accelerating research for GRIN2B-related disorders;
- A professionally staffed childcare room for children (ages 0-17) and adults with GRIN2B on Saturday; and
- A Dinner and Dance Reception for all attendees on Saturday night.
We hope to see you there! If you cannot attend in person, stay tuned for more details about joining virtually.
Families of related GRI-gene disorders are welcome to attend as well!
Venue
Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center, 13200 E 14th Pl, Aurora, CO 80011
Book here by June 23rd – https://bit.ly/HyattColorado-GRIN2B
We have a block of 25 rooms available to our group and will add more as needed. Rates are quoted exclusive of any applicable taxes and hotel service fees.
- Double Queen Room: Single/Double $169/night, Triple $194, Quad $219
- Premium King Room – Single/Double $189/night, Triple $214, Quad $239
- Regency Suite – Single/Double $419/night, Triple $444, Quad $469
To book a room at a discounted price and to get more information about the Hyatt, please visit this link. Or call 1 303 365 1234 and mention our group rate code – G-7GRI.
The special room rate will be available until June 23rd or until the group block is sold out, whichever comes first.
Registration
Please register every person in your party attending on the following link by June 28th. This includes all adults, caregivers, children and individuals with GRIN2B.
Speakers and sponsors should contact liz.marfia-ash@grin2b.com for specific registration information.
Early Bird Rates are good through April 1st!
Family Registrations:
- Adult Family Member/Caregiver Registration (Early Bird rate by April 1st) – $150
- Adult Family Member/Caregiver Registration (after April 2nd) – $200 per adult
- Children, 17 and under – Free
- Individuals with a GRIN2B diagnosis – Free
- Participation in Childcare Room on Sat, July 20th– $100 per individual
Medical and Industry Professionals Registration:
- Students or Post-Doc (students and post docs at an academic institution) – $125 Early Bird / $175
- Professionals (medical field professionals and academic researchers) – $200 Early Bird / $250
- Industry (Representatives of for-profit companies) – $250 Early Bird / $300
Travel Scholarship
Deadline to Apply: May 15th, 2024
A limited number of travel scholarships are available to assist GRIN2B families with travel-related expenses. To be considered for the scholarship, please complete the following steps:
- Register for the Conference.
- Complete our Travel Scholarship Application and send proof of your child’s diagnosis to brittaney.crider@grin2b.com. Please confirm with Brittaney that you have enrolled in our GRIN2B Foundation Family Registry (http://grin2b.com/register).
- Attend the Family Weekend.
- Complete a Post-event survey & provide a testimonial about the event.
If all of the above conditions are met, we will mail a check to you approximately 1 month post event. Scholarship amounts will be $500 per US-based families and $650 for International based families.
Additional Travel Support for Families
You may also be eligible to receive travel support from The National Organization for Rare Disorder’s Education Support Program. Please see their flier for information on how to apply.
Travel Support for Researchers
Uplifting Athletes has a program to assist with travel expenses for rare disease researchers and doctoral students with an interest in the rare disease field. Applicants must reside in the United States or Canada and meet specific requirements. Learn more here.
Conference Agenda
Preliminary Event Breakdown:
FRIDAY July 19th:
For Researchers
At Hotel: Researcher Roundtable (Invite Only)
Breakfast, lunch and pm snack provided.
For Families
At Hotel: Registration & meet & greet afternoon, Family sessions mid afternoon
PM snack provided
SATURDAY July 20th:
Family Meeting with Researcher Presentations
Childcare provided by Corporate Kids Events
Researcher & Family Dinner & Dance Party
Breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner provided.
SUNDAY July 21st:
Family Sessions – morning only
Breakfast provided.
Sunday afternoon: optional Family Outing
Topics will include: GRIN2B & Genetics 101, Research Updates, Clinical Trial Readiness and Updates, Clinical Symptoms Overview, Patient Registry and Center of Excellence Updates, Parent Support Topics, How to Get Involved
*We are working on a virtual option for this event. More details to follow.
Additional Information
Research Opportunities
Patient Registry enrollment: Both Simons Searchlight and Dr. Tim Benke and his staff will be present to assist families in enrolling in each of their respective patient registries.
Biorepository samples: During select conference hours, we will have a separate room with a phlebotomist on hand to collect blood samples from GRIN2B patients to be stored in our biorepository.
Biogene Study: Our 2019 Grant Recipient, Dr. Caitlin Hudac, will be conducting her EEG studies as part of her BioGene project. We will provide more information on how to participate closer to the date.
Covid Protocol and Disclaimer
The health and safety of all attendees at the 2024 GRIN2B Family & Research Weekend remains our top priority. Please visit https://www.auroragov.org/residents/public_safety/office_of_emergency_management/covid-19_coronavirus_resources for any current city of Aurora local orders and updated information about COVID-19.
An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the CDC, senior citizens and individuals with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. By attending the 2024 GRIN2B Family & Research Weekend, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19. We strongly encourage attendees to be vaccinated and receive their booster shots when applicable before attending the conference. Help us keep each other healthy.
We also strongly encourage individuals to be tested for COVID-19 before traveling to the conference. Individuals who test positive should stay home and cancel their registration. Registration fees will be fully refunded.
For questions regarding these policies, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@grin2b.com.
Childcare
GRIN2B Foundation is pleased to offer childcare by Corporate Kids Events (CKE). CKE will provide childcare for children ages 0-17 and adults with GRIN2B during the conference on Saturday, July 20th from 8:00 – 12:00 and 1:00 – 4:00.
There is a fee of $100 per child, regardless of how many total hours each individual will attend childcare.
Should you choose to not use the childcare, we kindly ask that you make your own accommodations and do not bring your children into the sessions to minimize distractions. Additionally, some of the content will be sensitive in nature and not appropriate for children. For those that have teenage children, please use your best judgment when considering having them listen in on the sessions. This applies for both neurotypical and GRIN2B children.
For sessions on Friday afternoon and Sunday morning, there will be no formal childcare and children will be welcome to attend, though we do ask that you stay towards the back of the room to minimize distractions. We do recommend bringing along an extra caregiver If you are able to.
Corporate Kids Events program managers are experienced childcare professionals, certified in CPR and First Aid, and cleared to work with children. All CKE staff are required to provide copies of all certifications, clearances and detailed resumes. CKE performs interviews, extensive reference checks and security background checks on each potential staff member. All hired CKE Staff attend a special training and orientation prior to the event. Staff is briefed on the planned schedule of activities, children attending, the overall conference group, and emergency procedures specific to each event location.
Corporate Kids Events Staff-to-Child Ratios
Neurotypical Children:
Infants 0 years to 2 years 1:2
Children 3 years to 5 years 1:4
Children 6 years to 12 years 1:6
Children 13 years to 17 years 1:8
Children and Adults with Disabilities: 1:2
If you have further questions please contact Brittaney Crider: brittaney.crider@grin2b.com
Solicitation Policy
GRIN2B Foundation has a no-solicitation policy covering all of our conferences and expositions. We do not allow solicitation at our events by any attendees or unauthorized parties without prior written permission to the GRIN2B Foundation. This policy includes, but is not limited to the following unauthorized activities:
Prohibited Activities:
- Unauthorized receptions & parties (including off-site events)
- Unauthorized exhibits, mobile exhibits & hospitality suites
- Unauthorized membership recruitment activities
- Unauthorized promotion of non-GRIN2B Foundation events
- Unauthorized research recruiting
- Unwelcome advances toward event participants or the GRIN2B Foundation Board Members
- Unauthorized on-site distribution of printed or electronic materials including literature, signs, flyers, invitations, tickets, forms, etc. (except business cards)
- Any person and/or organization found to be violating this policy may be expelled from the event. No Refunds.
- Egregious and/or multiple violations of this policy may result in disqualification from future events at the discretion of the GRIN2B Foundation.
Audio/Visual Waiver
GRIN2B Foundation intends to take photographs and videos of the Conference events for use in GRIN2B Foundation news and promotional materials in print, electronic, and other media, including the GRIN2B Foundation website, email distribution lists, and social media accounts. By participating in the Conference, you grant the GRIN2B Foundation the right to use any image, photograph, voice, or likeness, without limitation, in its news, promotional materials, and publicity efforts.
Event Sponsorship
We expect this event will be our most exciting and impactful one yet. The expenses to put on a biennial conference/meetup are significant. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please download our 2024 GRIN2B Family Weekend Sponsorship packet.
For any questions, please email us at liz.marfia-ash@grin2b.com.