The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) invites you to join us for our 31st Annual Convention in sunny Bal Harbour, Fla., where palm trees, white sandy beaches and blue ocean waters embrace visitors year-round. The Convention, titled, “Improving Quality: Patients Shaping the Future,” will be held Sept. 2-5 at the Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort, located halfway between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami . With an average attendance of more than 500 people, AAKP’s Annual Convention is the largest gathering of kidney patients and their family members in the United States .

Educating Patients

During the Convention, kidney patients and their family members can learn the most current information about kidney disease, its treatment and other conditions that affect the kidneys. Attendees have the unique opportunity to meet other kidney patients who deal with the same physical, emotional and social issues. AAKP’s Convention is unique because for 31 years it has been the only national gathering of hundreds of kidney patients and their families.

The Convention agenda features educational sessions for kidney patients at all stages, including chronic kidney disease (CKD), dialysis and transplantation. AAKP has secured highly respected healthcare professionals to speak on a multitude of important and timely patient care topics, including:

• Delaying Dialysis: Managing your Reduced Kidney Function
• Nocturnal and Home Dialysis: A Personal Perspective
• Considering Transplantation from A to Z
• Diabetes and Kidney Disease: A Balancing Act
• Washington Update: Important News For You

Social Events

In addition to the educational sessions, AAKP’s Convention offers several social events where attendees have the opportunity to celebrate life and share experiences with fellow kidney patients from across the country. Spread throughout the Convention, these social events are always well attended and enjoyed by everyone. Welcoming Ceremonies will be held on Friday evening, Sept. 3. This “opening night” reception is the official AAKP Convention kick-off party where attendees enjoy the festivities and the opportunity to socialize with other kidney patients.  This year will feature a luau theme, so come dressed in your best tropical attire. During this fun-filled event, AAKP also presents its CKD awards — the AAKP Spirit of Service Award and AAKP Visionary Award.

Another highlight of the Convention is the Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony when AAKP honors the service and dedication of its volunteers. During this elegant evening, held on Saturday, Sept. 4, AAKP bestows some of its most prestigious honors, including the Samuel J. Orenstein Award, the Peter Lundin Award and the President’s Award. 

Lunch with the Experts

Convention attendees have the opportunity to participate in a more informal discussion at AAKP’s “Lunch with the Experts.” At these sessions, AAKP’s guest speakers lead a conversation for a 10-person table on relevant topics for kidney patients, such as exercise, transplant issues, traveling, anemia, diabetes, insurance information and minority issues. Held on Friday and Saturday, the “Lunch with the Experts” sessions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Exhibit Hall

On Friday and Saturday, more than 30 renal-related companies and organizations will display their products and educational materials in our exhibit hall. Attendees may visit the exhibits at their convenience or during the scheduled breaks between presentations.

Convention Registration

The Convention package costs $95 for patients and family members and $150 for professionals and includes three days of educational sessions, two continental breakfasts, two dinners and one full breakfast. Attendees also receive tickets to the Welcoming Ceremonies, the Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony and the President’s Breakfast. There is an additional cost of $8 per person, per day for “Lunch with the Experts.” Attendees should register as early as possible for these sessions as the lunch tables have sold out in past years. All conference registrations must be made through the AAKP National Office; the deadline for advance registration is July 30.

Accommodations

Few corners of the earth offer the rare combination of natural beauty, tropical weather and a peaceful atmosphere like Bal Harbour. Located in the heart of south Florida, easily accessible to both the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale areas, the Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort offers visitors the finest in accommodations. With 645 guest rooms and suites, this four-diamond resort offers ten acres of tropical gardens and sandy beaches, four restaurants and lagoon-style pools featuring jacuzzis, waterfalls and a waterslide. Bal Harbour Shops, directly across from the resort, is a unique collection of internationally renowned boutiques, shops, restaurants and cafes. For more information, please visit www.sheratonbalharbourresort.com.

Convention guests may make their hotel reservations by calling the Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort at (800) 999-9898. Rooms are available at $110 per night for single or double occupancy. Please identify yourself as an AAKP Convention attendee to receive the preferred rate and make your reservations soon as the Convention hotel has sold out in past years. Self-service parking at the Resort is offered at a discounted rate of $6 per day or $15 for overnight parking.

Dialysis Arrangements

This year, Fresenius Medical Care and Gambro Healthcare will provide dialysis treatment to Convention attendees. Patients are responsible for arranging payment and scheduling an appointment.

To make dialysis arrangements with Fresenius Medical Care, please contact Amber Champagne at (800) 634-6254, ext. 231. AAKP is pleased to offer Convention attendees the opportunity to continue their regular nocturnal hemodialysis treatment. If you are a nocturnal hemodialysis patient, please contact Fresenius Medical Care for nocturnal treatment availability. To make dialysis arrangements with Gambro Healthcare, please contact Gambro At Your Service representative, Jane Wilkerson at (877) 842-6276. Patients who use either of these services for dialysis appointments will be provided transportation to and from the dialysis center.

Travel Details

American Airlines is offering up to 10 percent off airfare travel. To make reservations, call the American Airlines Meeting Services at (800) 433-1790 and reference authorization number 6584AM. Reservations sales agents are available from 5 a.m. until 12 a.m., Monday through Friday, Central Standard Time (CST).

The Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort is located approximately 16 miles from both the Miami International Airport and the Ft. Lauderdale International Airport . Therefore, it is necessary to take a taxi, use a shuttle service or rent a car. From Miami International Airport , Super Shuttle will provide shuttle service. The service costs $15 per person each way and can be found outside of the baggage claim area at the van service desk. Discount coupons for $2 off each way will be included in attendee confirmation packages for those who register in advance. From Ft. Lauderdale International Airport , a shuttle service can be found outside the baggage claim area at the airport service desk. Ask for the Shared Ride service, which costs $15 per person each way.

Ground Transportation

Avis Rent-A-Car is proud to offer a special group discount to AAKP Convention attendees. To make rental car reservations, please contact Avis at (800) 331-1600 and advise the agent of Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) #D087543. You may also reserve online at www.avis.com with the AWD number.  Discount rates are available from Aug. 26 – Sept. 12 at any Avis Rent-A-Car location nationwide.

Continuing Education Credits 

AAKP is offering Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits for nurses at the Convention. Certificates of Attendance are available to other professionals.

For More Information

Those interested in attending AAKP’s Convention can receive more information by requesting the Convention brochure from the AAKP National Office. Current members of AAKP will receive the brochure through the mail. The brochure features the Convention registration form, a detailed agenda and details on the hotel, travel information and dialysis arrangements.

The registration form can be printed and mailed or faxed to the National Office. Other Convention features on the Web site include the full agenda, hotel information, “Lunch with the Experts” session topics and a tentative list of speakers. For more information on the AAKP Annual Convention or to request a Convention brochure, please contact the AAKP National Office at (800) 749-2257.

This article originally appeared in the May 2004 issue of aakpRENALIFE, Vol. 19, No. 6