To learn more about attending a symposium please watch highlights from the 2006 Vasculitis Symposium here.

The Symposium is held every other year and is one of the most important services the VF provides its members and friends.

Content below:

What it Means: Knowledge, Community, Hope

Symposium Scheduled Talks

Awareness Walk!

Registration Info and Fee

Symposium Location

Hotel/Lodging Information

Airline Travel Discounts

Tax Deductions

Download Registration Form and Symposium Schedule!

Knowledge: Topics will cover all the vasculitides and concentrate on the advances in medical treatments, research, quality of life issues, complementary medicine and nutrition. The meeting includes plenary sessions for the entire group and smaller Q&A breakout sessions on specific topics. The speakers include many of the world's top medical experts in vasculitis.

Community:  One of the greatest benefits of attending the Symposium is the wonderful opportuntity to meet other patients who are living successfully with their illness and caregivers and family members. Please come and share your experiences and knowledge.

Hope: Newly diagnosed patients will find HOPE and receive encouragement that they will get better; experienced patients will find the most up to date information on treatments and staying in remission.

The Exhibit Area will include information on all the diseases and posters detailing the most recent research advances which are improving the lives of all vasculitis patients. (Back to top)

Scheduled talks include:

Research:

• Advances in Basic Science Research and What They Mean for Vasculitis Patients
• International Research
• State of Clinical Research for Vasculitis Patients
• Why Vasculitis Patients Should Participate in Clinical Studies
• Developing Drugs and Medical Devices: Making Treatments Safer for Vasculitis Patients

Managing the Disease

Clinical Lab Monitoring of the Vasculitis Patient

• Complementary Medicine and the Vasculitis Patient
• Doctor/Patient Communication
• Looking at the Future for the Vasculitis Patient
• Nutrition
• Pharmacology
• Strategies for maintaining kidney function
• The Heart of the Vasculitis Patient
• The Skin of the Vasculitis Patient
• Understanding Test Results/Medication Instruction

Special Sessions

• Caregivers
• Ear/Nose/Throat
• Eyes
• Hearing/Ear
• Inhaler/tracheal stenosis/respiratory therapy
• Infertility
• Lungs
• Nasal Repair
• Pediatrics
• Peripheral Neuropathy

See below to download a preliminary schedule of events.

The Exhibit Area will include information on the diseases and posters detailing the most recent research advances. (Back to top)

Awareness Walk! New this year! Bring your walking shoes and join us for the first-ever Symposium Awareness Walk to promote awareness of vasculitis and the VF. (Back to top)

Registration is required and the deadline is May 16, 2008. You may register online or by phone (credit card only) or by downloading the registration form (see below) and mailing it to the VF office with payment. The registration form is also included in the January/February and March/April VF Newsletter.

The Registration fee of $170.00 includes admittance to all of the general podium sessions and the Q&A breakout sessions, handouts, exhibit area and the following meals: Friday reception, Saturday breakfast, lunch, banquet, Sunday breakfast, lunch and snacks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and Symposium t-shirt. Pediatric patients under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Refund requests must be made in writing and MUST be received no later than May 16th, 2008. If you are unable to attend, we encourage you to send a colleague in your place. (Back to top)

Please Click here to Register

Meeting Information: We are pleased to partner with the Mayo Clinic for the 2008 Vasculitis Symposium. The educational sessions and meals will be held at the Clinic, The Kahler Grand Hotel and The Rochester Marriott. All the buildings are within easy walking distance of each other. Click here to view a map of the Mayo Clinic. (Back to top)

Click here for the Rochester, MN Visitor's Guide

Hotel Information: The VF has contracted with the following hotels for the Symposium for lodging. Attendees are responsible for making their own reservations.

Option #1: The Kahler Grand Hotel
20 SW Second Avenue, Rochester, MN 55902
Single Rate: $89/night plus taxes
Double Rate: $89/night plus taxes

Toll Free: 800.533.1655

Click here to make online Kahler reservation (Reference Vasculitis Foundation.)

Option #2: The Rochester Marriott
101 First Avenue SW, Rochester, MN 55902
Single Rate: $109/night plus taxes
Double Rate: $109/night plus taxes
Click here to make online Marriott reservation (Group code VCFVCFA.). Toll Free: 877.623.7775

Airline Travel Discounts

The VF has secured Symposium travel discounts with American and Northwest airlines. These discounts only apply to travelers in the Continental United States. You may be able to find flights that are less with other airlines, or through on-line search engines ie: Travelocity, Download the instructions below.

Tax Deductions for Medical Conferences 

The costs of attending the conference may be tax deductible.  Please check with your tax accountant to see what meeting expenses can be deducted from your taxes. (Back to top)

Download and save the pdf version of the registration form and the Pre-Attendee form to your computer. Once saved, open the file. You are then able to electronically fill out the registration. Upon completion, print two copies of the forms, mail one to the office, keep one copy for your records. You will not be able to save your information on the file. http://www.vasculitisfoundation.org/news/2007/12/28/8th-international-vasculitis-symposium

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