The 2010 WSA National Convention

The 2010 WSA National Convention, Gateway to the Future,  
will be held July 7-10, 2010 at the Ballpark Hilton, St. Louis, MO

Convention overview

Where?
The Hilton - St. Louis at the Ballpark is just 2 blocks from the St. Louis Arch and right beside Busch Stadium.  The Hilton is a 600+ room hotel with spectacular city views of Busch Stadium and the Gateway Arch, stylish accommodations, luxurious facilities, concierge amenities and food and beverage venues including Market Street Bistro, Imo's Pizzeria, Mike Shannon's Steakhouse, Starbucks®, and outdoor patios with spectacular views of the downtown skyline.

A fully outfitted fitness center and indoor pool will help keep everyone busy during non-convention hours when you aren't out visiting the many wonderful attractions within walking distance of the hotel.

Room rates at the Hilton are $129 for a King and $139 for 2 doubles
(Click here) to make your hotel reservation online.  (Be sure to ask for the WSA National Convention room block.)

What?
The WSA national convention will bring more than 1200 family members, teachers, therapists and physicians interested in learning more about Williams Syndrome to St. Louis

The convention:

• Features more than 50 educational workshops on a wide variety of topics pertinent to raising a child with Williams syndrome from infancy  to adulthood
• Offers clinical research participation opportunities for individuals with Williams syndrome of all ages
• Enables parents to learn from each other in interactive panel presentations and networking sessions
• Provides enrichment opportunities for individuals with Williams syndrome
• Increases medical and educational knowledge of WS among parents and professionals
• Increases community awareness of Williams syndrome
• Provides separate programming for:
  • youth with WS ages birth thru 5 and their siblings in the same age group - in a child care setting
  • youth with WS ages 6 thru 12 and their same age group siblings - in a day camp program which will be held at the Chaminade School Campus in suburban St. Louis.  Children will take a 20 minute bus trip each day to the school where participate in recreation games, sports, swimming, yoga,  music and more.  The camp program will be directed by the WSA recreation camp staff.
  • teens with WS ages 13 - 17 and their teenage siblings - will participate in daily off-site excursions
  • WSA GANG, ages 18-30 will divide their time between education and self-determination sessions conducted on site and excursions to nearby attractions
  • WSA Dream Team, ages 31 7 older will divide their time between sessions conducted on site and excursions to nearby attractions

Programs for Parent and Professionals

Click here to download the Convention Registration brochure.
 
Keynote Speakers

Gary Guller:  The only person with one arm to ever scale Mt. Everest, Gary is an international advocate for the potential of all people, especially those living with a disability.  Gary will show how teamwork, passion and compassion make anything possible.

Tamara Hall:  An international speaker, author, radio host and columnist, Tamara's session - "Your Home is the Right Home! - Building a Family:  Appreciating Uniqueness will show us that the greatest strength in a strong family is the appreciation and understanding of each person's uniqueness.  Acceptance of diversity allows every person to reach his or her full potential and makes the whole stronger than the parts.
 

Ray Guarendi:  The father of 10 adopted children, Ray is a clinical psychologist and an author.  His session - Laughter, the Sanity of Family will provide insights into keeping our families strong by learning to laugh at ourselves, with our  family members and during the most trying times.  Dr. Guarendi delivers a serious message about the power of laughter, and you will laugh along with him throughout his presentation.

Evening Entertainment
Our entertainment committee is hard at work preparing activities that everyone will enjoy.

• Registration and Exhibits will be open all day on Wednesday,  with our "official" convention Welcome and activities beginning at 7 PM on Wednesday evening with entertainment by individuals with WS and their friends
• A trip to Grants Farm complete with dinner, lots of animals to pet, entertainment by the St. Louis Banjo Club and more is scheduled for Thursday evening
• Gloria Lenhoff will entertain on Friday evening
• Heather Johnsen's autobiographical play, I Dream A World will  be presented during lunch on Saturday
• Saturday evening's banquet and dance will close the convention with a great meal, and dance music provided by the band,

How (to get there)?
Travel to St. Louis is easy by car, bus, train or plane.
The Hilton is just 20 minutes from Lambert Airport in down town St. Louis.  It is easily accessible by train, cab or shuttle from the airport or Hwy. 70 by car.

At What Cost?

• Convention Registration Fees will be available soon.  Scholarship funding is available.  Call the national office or click on the link below for a scholarship application

Hotel Rates

• SEE YOU THERE!!