SOFT Conference 2012
St. Louis, Missouri
July 18 – 22, 2012
Meet other trisomy families in beautiful
St. Louis, Missouri for the 26th
Annual SOFT International Conference!
Coming Soon – online registration and conference brochure!
Balloon Release Request for those NOT attending the conference
Download Joey Watson Fund conference subsidy application
If you have ANY questions or suggestions, please email Steve & Peggy at scantrellod@earthlink.net.
We are looking forward to a fantastic conference!
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Accommodations
One of the true blessings of this wonderful organization is supporting our families fully across the broad spectrum of economic circumstances and financial challenges. The larger SOFT family is here for you as we strive to what is best for those we love, cherish and fight for. As we prepare for this summer’s SOFT conference in St. Louis, conference planners are striving to bring you the most affordable, educational, entertaining and high-quality experience possible. In that spirit we ask for your trust and best judgment in addressing room bookings at the Frontenac Hilton for the conference.
Our contract with this fine hotel requires us to book and guarantee occupancy of a block of rooms. That simply means in order to avoid thousands in charges for SOFT that would hurt us all long-term, we’re encouraging attendees not to book accommodations individually. While booking individually might save you a few dollars up front, the advantages of working through SOFT include free Internet, 15 percent off hotel restaurants as well as a free continental breakfast. This approach may well save you money over all. By booking through SOFT you help us avoid charges for the meeting space and ball rooms that will be better spent supporting you at the conference and throughout the year.
It’s truly an honor being on the SOFT board, serving people who live the values of sacrifice and devotion on a daily basis. In these tough financial times we respect your tremendous efforts to do your best to meet every challenge with courage and dignity. Courage and dignity that is only matched by our precious trisomy angels . We sincerely appreciate your understanding and support as we work together to make the 2012 SOFT Conference in St. Louis the best ever!
Our special SOFT rate is $105 plus tax, per night. Mention the SOFT conference when making a reservation to get the SOFT rate. Request all special arrangements when reserving a room: i.e. crib, rollaway bed, refrigerator, no smoking room, extended stay.
| Group Name: | Support Organ Trisomy 18-13 “SOFT” |
| Group Code: | SOFT |
| Check-in: | 16-JUL-2012 |
| Check-out: | 22-JUL-2012 |
| Hotel Name: | Hilton St. Louis Frontenac |
| Hotel Address: | 1335 South Lindbergh Blvd. |
| Saint Louis, Missouri | |
| Zipcode – 63131 | |
| Phone Number: | 1-314-993-1100 |
About St. Louis
The SOFT Medical Clinics will be held at a local hospital.
Video
Be a part of the “KARI HOLLADAY SOFT FRIENDS VIDEO”, featuring our children and families! Please submit 2-3 pictures by May 15, 2012. Upload your photos at www.softannualvideo.com. Please make sure your pictures are less than 1 MB each. Or send by postal mail to: Kris Holladay, 1522 E. Garnet Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85204. Note: Pictures will not be returned. Please do not send your original, one of a kind picture! Include the following information: 1) Parents names 2) Child’s name and diagnosis; 3) birth date and death date (if applicable); 4) May we reuse your pictures in the future videos? ; 5) Are you attending the conference (yes/no); 6) Additional information to share: touching, funny, sweet, heartwarming, etc. Questions: email Kris at: holladay2go@hotmail.com
Memory Room
A special quiet room will be provided for families to share the memories of those we have lost. Please bring photos, photo albums, scrapbooks or any other mementos to share. The Memory Room will be open throughout the Conference-Thursday-Friday from 8:00am-10:00pm and after the picnic from 6:00-10:00pm.
Picnic and Balloon Release
The SOFT balloon release, held during the picnic on Saturday, is the special event held each year to pay tribute to our SOFT children that have received their angel wings. You do not need to attend the conference to include your child’s name in the ceremony. You may choose to attend only the picnic and balloon release, and you may release the balloon when your child’s name is called. Please see the Conference Registration Form. Our picnic and balloon release will be held at a site that is handicapped accessible. Please complete the Ryan Cantrell Balloon Release Celebration Information form which allows us to identify your child’s balloon with a special tag that will travel with his or her balloon. If you are not attending the conference but want a balloon released for your child, please complete this form.
Auction
The annual Auction will be held on Saturday evening at 6:30pm. Please bring auction items to donate as well as your cash, checkbook and credit cards!
Sibling Outing
Optional Friday Night Outing
SOFT-Wear
Scientific Symposium
Conference Schedule – below is a typical conference schedule. It will be updated to reflect the actual schedule for St. Louis once details have been finalized.
Wednesday, July 18
| 8:00 am – 6:00 pm | SOFT Board of Directors Meeting |
| 8:00 am – 6:00 pm | Childcare for Board Members Children |
| 2:00 pm -5:00 pm | Registration Open |
| Whole Day | On your own-suggestions and maps will be available |
Thursday, July 19
| 7:00 am – 9:00 am | Breakfast |
| 8:00 am – 9:30 am | Registration Open |
| 8:00 am – 10:00 pm | Memory Room Open |
| 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Registration Open |
| 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Childcare available |
| 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Medical Clinics |
| 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | Workshop Session 1 |
| 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Workshop Session 2 |
| 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Welcome Dinner |
Friday, July 20
| 7:00 am – 9:00 am | Breakfast |
| 8:00 am – Noon | Childcare available |
| 8:00 am – 5:00 pm | Registration Open |
| 8:00 am – 10:00 pm | Memory Room Open |
| 8:30 am – 9:00 am | New Family Meet and Greet |
| 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Sibling Outing- Meet in hotel lobby |
| 9:15 am – 10:30 am | Workshop Sessions 3 |
| 10:45 am – 12 Noon | Workshop Sessions 4 |
| 12 Noon – 1:00 pm | Lunch |
| 12 Noon – 1:00 pm | Chapter Chair Luncheon – for chapter chairs only |
| 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm | Childcare available |
| 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm | Workshop Sessions 5 |
| 2:45 pm – 4:15 pm | Workshop Sessions 6 |
| 5:30 pm | Friday night outing – optional |
| Dinner on your own |
Saturday, July 21
| 7:00 am – 9:00 am | Breakfast |
| 9:00 am – 9:30 am | Sharing time |
| 9:30 am – 10:15 am | Kris Holladay Annual Video Presentation |
| 10:15-11:00am | Business Meeting and Board Elections |
| 11:30am | Buses board for picnic |
| 12 Noon-4:30pm | SOFT Picnic and Memorial Balloon Release |
| 4:30 pm | Load buses and return to hotel |
| Dinner on your own | |
| 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Memory Room open |
| 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm | Childcare available |
| 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm | Auction – cash bar, light refreshments served |
Sunday, July 22
| 7:00 am – 9:00 am | Breakfast |
| 8:00 am -9:00 am | Non-denominational Service |
| 9:00 am -10:00 am | Closing Remarks |
