It’s that time of year again! AAKP is busy preparing for its 35th Annual Convention. This year’s Convention takes place in our nation’s Capitol, Washington, D.C., from Aug. 28 – 31, at the majestic Grand Hyatt Washington. The Convention, titled 35 Years: Delivering the Difference, features educational sessions, exciting social events and more! The AAKP Annual Convention is the largest national event for kidney patients and their families to learn more about kidney disease, share their experiences and meet fellow kidney patients.

Patient Education
AAKP created the Annual Convention to provide kidney patients and their family members with the opportunity to gain knowledge about important issues affecting their healthcare. Attendees learn the most current information about kidney disease, treatment options and tips for living with the effects of kidney disease.

The Convention offers educational sessions for kidney patients of all stages, including chronic kidney disease (CKD), dialysis and transplant patients, as well as family members and healthcare professionals. In between educational sessions, attendees can meet and interact with other individuals who are going through similar experiences as other kidney patients.

This year, the Annual Convention features educational sessions hosted by highly respected healthcare professionals who are carefully selected based on their area of expertise. Also, kidney disease patients of all modalities will serve on patient panels. And AAKP is pleased to announce it has expanded the educational sessions. For the first time, educational sessions are offered on the first day of the Convention, Thursday, Aug. 28.
Some of the topics include:
• Chronic Kidney Disease Diagnosis
• Long-term care
• Self Care
• Home Treatment Therapies
• Nutrition and Diet information
• Paired Donor Exchange Program
• Legislative Issues

Social Events
AAKP’s Annual Convention not only provides attendees with up to the minute education, it also offers several social events for patients, their families and professionals. These events allow patients and family members to interact on a person-to-person basis with others dealing with similar circumstances. Attendees gain insight and build friendships from the experiences they share with fellow patients, caregivers and renal professionals.

One of the most popular events is the First Time Attendee Luncheon. The luncheon is a welcoming event on Thursday, Aug. 28, for attendees who purchased the full Convention package. The lunch gives first time Convention attendees helpful hints and suggestions on how to make the most of their Convention experience.

The Welcoming Ceremonies is a well attended event at the Annual Convention. This takes place on Friday, Aug. 29, and is the official welcoming party of the AAKP Convention. This year’s theme is “70s” so make sure you dress up in your best 70s-era attire. The most creative costumes win a prize!

On the final night of the Annual Convention, AAKP honors the service and dedication of its volunteers at the Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony. Taking place on Saturday, Aug. 30, this elegant evening is one of the highlights of Convention. Awards, including the Samuel J. Orenstien Award, the Peter Lundin, MD Award, the AAKP Patient Comeback of the Year Award, the President’s Award and the NOVA Award, are all presented to worthy recipients.

The President’s Breakfast takes place on the Sunday, Aug. 31, and marks the end of the AAKP Annual Convention. Attendees enjoy a delicious breakfast and words of inspiration from the AAKP President, Roberta Wager, RN, MSN, and kidney patients from around the country. The President closes the breakfast with the announcement of the upcoming year’s Convention theme and location.

Lunch with the Experts
AAKP’s Lunch with the Experts is always one of the most popular aspects of the Annual Convention. It allows attendees a chance to take part in informal discussions on a much smaller scale with healthcare professionals. Each lunch table focuses on a specific topic and is comprised of nine attendees and an “expert.” There are 20 tables available on Friday and Saturday, making a total of 360 available seats.

Lunch tables sell out quickly and placement is on a first-come, first-reserved basis, so interested attendees are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Lunch with the Experts is an additional $9 per person, per day for Convention attendees. Lunch with the Experts is not included in the Convention package.

Exhibit Hall
The Exhibit Hall opens on Thursday night during the Welcoming Reception to allow attendees a sneak-peek of the many renal-related companies and organizations. The Exhibit Hall is also open during the Continental breakfasts, scheduled breaks and in between educational sessions on Friday and Saturday.

Convention Registration
This year, AAKP is offering Convention package discounts for AAKP Life Members, Patient/Family Members and Professional Members.
The prices for full Convention packages are as follows: 

                                                 AAKP Life Member                            AAKP Member                             Non-Member

Patient/Family Member                       $90                                                    $95                                                  $99
Healthcare Professional                   $190                                                  $195                                                $199


The Convention package includes two days of educational sessions, two continental breakfasts, a Convention t-shirt and tote bag, as well as tickets to the First Time Attendee Luncheon, Welcoming Reception, Welcoming Ceremonies,  Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony and President’s Breakfast. Lunch with the Experts tickets must be purchased separately.

Individuals interested in attending the Annual Convention and purchasing tickets can visit AAKP’s Web site or contact AAKP by phone or mail. The deadline for pre-registration is Aug. 11. Registrations received after the deadline are subject to a $25 late fee. One-day registrations are also available.

Hotel Accommodations
The official Convention hotel, the Grand Hyatt Washington, offers breathtaking views and extraordinary elegance in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. With convenient in-lobby Metro access, the Grand Hyatt is the ideal spot to explore the United States Capitol. Attendees can relax by the lagoon in the 12-story atrium, or walk to many historical monuments and museums.

The Grand Hyatt Washington is centrally located in Penn Quarter and is a short distance to the White House, Verizon Center, Smithsonian Museums, monuments and memorials, and the Capitol Building. Hotel reservations can be made by calling the Grand Hyatt Washington toll free at (800) 233-1234. To receive the preferred rate of $125 per night, please identify yourself as an AAKP Convention attendee. Don’t forget to make your reservations as early as possible as the Convention hotel has sold out in past years.

Grand Hyatt Washington Address:
1000 H Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20001

Continuing Education Credits for Nurses and Social Workers
Continuing education credits are available for nurses and social workers. Nurses and social workers also have an opportunity to hear from patients during the Understanding Patients: Helpful Hints for Healthcare Professionals educational session. Patients lead this session with tips on how healthcare professionals and patients can improve their relations. For more information about credits please contact Diana Clynes, Program Manager, at dclynes@aakp.org or visit the AAKP Web site, www.aakp.org, for details. The official number of available credits is announced at Convention.

More Information
The 2008 Annual Convention brochure contains a registration form, complete Convention agenda and information about the hotel, travel and dialysis arrangements. Current AAKP members will receive the Convention brochure this month. Non-members may contact AAKP at (800) 749-AAKP and ask to be included in the Convention mailing list.

AAKP’s Web site also features up-to date Convention information along with a downloadable registration form. Registration forms can be mailed or faxed to the AAKP office. Convention registrations may also be made over the phone by calling (800) 749-AAKP.

For more information about the 35th Annual Convention, please contact AAKP at (800) 749-AAKP or info@aakp.org.

This article originally appeared in the July 2008 issue of aakpRENALIFE.

Back