Registration closes Monday, October 22
We hope you are making plans to join us for the FOP Family Gathering Nov. 16-18, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland.
In 2016, the IFOPA made a decision to move the FOP Family Gathering around the country to make it more accessible for all members of our community. The 2016 Family Gathering was held in St. Louis and the 2017 Gathering was in San Francisco. This year's Gathering will be the first time, since the year 2000, that a Gathering has been held in the Northeast.
Registration for the Family Gathering will close on Monday, October 22.
To assist with your planning, we're providing this preview of the agenda and registration rates and schedule.
Family Gathering Agenda
Friday, Nov. 16 - You'll have the opportunity to participate in FOP Medical and Dental Clinics, tell your FOP story, and more! We'll have a Welcome Dinner Friday evening.
Saturday, Nov. 17 - We'll spend the day hearing from FOP experts and have breakfast, lunch and dinner together.
Sunday, Nov. 18 - While the morning will consist of a few more presentations, the majority of the day you'll spend sharing with and learning from one another in breakout groups. We'll have breakfast and lunch together. FOP Medical and Dental Clinics will also be available throughout the day.
Registration Rates
We seek support of generous sponsors and donors in order to make the Family Gathering as affordable as possible.
- Person with FOP - Complimentary registration
- 1st family, friend or caregiver - $50
- All other guests 16+ - $100 per person
- All other guests 5 to 15 - $50 per person
The deadline for registration refunds is Tuesday, November 6th. After this date the IFOPA will not be able to make changes to food and beverage orders at the hotel. Registration fees are applied to those costs.
**Please note that the Family Gathering will be available in the English language only.
Hotel
The IFOPA will offer a special room block at the event hotel at the rate of $199/night. Reservations should be made between July 9 and Oct. 22 in order to get this rate. Rooms are available with a king bed or two double beds; most king rooms also include a pull-out sofa sleeper.
Travel and/or Lodging Stipends
The travel and lodging stipends provided by the IFOPA are intended to serve as a resource for families whose financial circumstances would otherwise prevent them from being able to attend the Family Gathering. In 2018, there were two type of stipends available (see below). As of September 16, all available stipend funds have been exhausted. If you have questions, please email [email protected].
- Lodging stipends will cover up to 3 nights of lodging (depending on where you are traveling from) for one room. Of note, most rooms with a king bed also have a pull-out sofa sleeper.
- Total travel stipends will not exceed $750 for a maximum of two people.
Questions about the Family Gathering?
Send an email to [email protected] or contact Hope Newport, Family Services Manager, at (816) 854-0920.