The Annual National Conference
The Support Group has its national Conference every spring.
Anyone with an interest in GBS, CIDP or a related condition is welcome to attend the Conference and might include:
- Members of the GBSSG
- Friends of the GBSSG
- Other patients, relatives and friends
- Health professionals and students
Is the Conference worth attending?
To the left is the verdict of those who attended in 2009 who answered the question: 'Would you attend again?' Almost all who responded would definitely or probably attend again.
How long is the Conference?
The GBSSG Conference is a one-day event but many but many attendees stay at the conference hotel or other nearby accommodation for one or two nights and make a weekend of the event. Others, especially those who live close to the venue attend as 'day-delegates'.
What happens at the Conference?
The Conference begins with a brief report of the GBSSG's activities since the previous Conference and our plans for the future. This is followed by a number of distinguished guest speakers whose subjects might include: the latest therapies, the latest research, rehabilitation etc. The Conference always concludes with an 'Ask the Experts' session where attendees can ask questions from the speakers.
But the Conference is much more than just formal presentations. It also gives the attendees time to meet others and share experiences. A significant number of attendees just keep coming back year after year, meeting up with friends which they have made.
What else goes on?
This may vary but the following activities are typical:
- An informal function at the Conference venue on the evening preceding the Conference;
- the Annual General Meeting for members on the day of the Conference (from 2010 this will precede the afternoon session of the Conference so non-members can enjoy a longer lunch break and not be obliged to sit through the AGM);
- More about the AGM
- a Gala Dinner at the Conference venue after the Conference which include the drawing of the GBSSG's Annual Grand Raffle.
Conference 2010
The Conference will be held at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel near London Heathrow Airport on Saturday 17th April.
The arrangements are still being made but costs are expected to be very much the same as 2009. Our 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner will be very special and the theme, of course, will be 'silver'.
Conference and AGM 2009
The Group's AGM and Conference for 2009 was held at the Hilton Hotel, Leicester on 18 April 2009. The full conference report will be published in our yearbook Reaching Out that will be published in the late summer of 2009. Reaching Out is free to members of the Charity and to those who register for support as 'Friends' of the Charity (certain restrictions apply). The yearbook will be available to buy by those who are neither members nor friends.