2024 International Annual Patient Conference
TMA’s International Annual Patient Conference is the most celebrated event of the year for the myositis community! The 2024 conference will take place in Baltimore, Maryland on September 6–8.
Thank you to those who attended our 2024 International Annual Patient Conference in Baltimore!
Please fill out the following surveys at your convenience to let us know how we did and what you might like to see next year!
If you weren’t able to attend, but would like to purchase the recordings, you can do so here.
Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Labor Conflict
The Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor, TMA’s 2024 conference host hotel, is experiencing a labor disruption during negotiations with the UNITE HERE union. More than 40,000 hotel workers with UNITE HERE are renegotiating contracts this year in more than 20 cities across the U.S. and Canada. Strike votes and strikes already have been approved in several other states. The developing situation is impacting Hilton as well as Marriott and Hyatt hotels nationwide. On Sept. 2, the union announced a one-day strike, which is not expected to impact TMA’s conference. TMA is in close contact with the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor, and General Manager Greg Brown expressed to TMA, “Please rest assured the hotel has contingency plans in place to ensure operations continue to run as smoothly as possible.” TMA appreciates the commitment of the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor to swiftly resolving the strike with a fair agreement for all parties. TMA continues to look forward to the International Annual Patient Conference. Please email IAPC@myositis.org with any questions or concerns.
Conference Schedule-at-a-Glance
| All times ET | |
| Thursday, September 5 | |
| 5 – 7pm | Early registration |
| Friday, September 6 | |
| 8am – 3pm | Off-site excursion to National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD ( More Info » ) |
| 9am – 1pm | Off-site excursion to Johns Hopkins Myositis Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD ( More Info » ) |
| 10am – 12:30pm | Off-site sightseeing excursion to Ft. McHenry National Monument and other historic venues, Baltimore, MD ( More Info » ) |
| 2:30 – 3:30pm | First-time attendee welcome |
| 3pm | Registration opens |
| 3 – 5pm | Community health fair |
| 4 – 5pm |
Getting acquainted sessions
|
| 5 – 6pm | Welcome reception and exhibits open |
| 6 – 7pm | General session and opening keynote address: Jessica Buchanan, “Impossible Odds: A Story of Strength and Survival” |
| Saturday, September 7 | |
| 7 – 8am | Early riser breakout session |
| 7:30 – 9am | Breakfast |
| 8:30am – 4:30pm | Exhibits open |
| 9 – 10am | Breakout sessions |
| 10:30am – 12 noon | Q&A by diagnosis
|
| 12 noon – 1pm | Networking lunch |
| 1:30 – 2:30pm | Breakout sessions |
| 3:00 – 4:00pm | Breakout sessions |
| 4:30 – 5:30pm | Breakout sessions |
| 6:15 – 9pm | Heroes in the Fight Reception and Awards Gala, honoring:
( More info » and register online » for required additional ticket, $75 ) |
| Sunday, September 8 | |
| 7 – 8:30am | Breakfast |
| 7:30 – 10:45am | Exhibits open |
| 8:00 – 9:00am | Breakout sessions |
| 9:30 – 10:30am | Breakout sessions |
| 10:45 – 11:45am | Closing general session and keynote address: Dr. Vicky Shanmugam, NIH, “Accelerating Autoimmune Disease Research at NIH to Advance Treatment and Therapies for Patients“ |
Conference Registration Pricing
| Price | Deadline | |
| Earlybird registration | $269.00 | Monday, July 1 |
| Regular registration | $299.00 | Thursday, August 29 |
| Late/on-site registration | $379.00 | Friday, August 30–Sunday, September 8 |
| Heroes in the Fight Gala ( More Info » ) |
$75.00 | Friday, September 6 |
| Off-site excursions – $30-45 ( More Info » ) |
||
Conference Deadlines
| Deadline | |
| Hotel reservations (booking link is included in your registration confirmation email) | Friday, August 16 |
| Volunteer sign-up | Wednesday, August 28 |
| SOLD OUT! Baltimore sightseeing excursion |
Friday, August 30 |
| SOLD OUT! NIH excursion |
Friday, August 30 |
| SOLD OUT! Johns Hopkins and sightseeing excursions |
Friday, August 30 |
| Heroes in the Fight Gala registration | Friday, September 6 |
Exhibits and Sponsorships
TMA welcomes pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers of assistive devices and medical equipment, nonprofits, and all partners to join us at the premier gathering of individuals and families affected by myositis. We are grateful for industry support, which lowers the cost of attending the conference for patients and families. Let us customize a sponsorship package for your budget!
About TMA’s Conference
This always unforgettable event features dozens of myositis specialists and expert presenters on everything related to myositis, its treatment, and how you can live your best life with these debilitating diseases. We have educational workshops, research-based presentations, breakout sessions for all stages of the myositis journey, content for care partners, information about clinical trials, and much more!
While the value of our educational sessions and exhibit floor cannot be underestimated, for many attendees the chance to meet and make friends with others who have their disease has been life-changing. TMA’s International Annual Patient Conference provides one of the only opportunities to connect with the myositis community in this way. It’s one reason many attendees return to this gathering year after year.
The official conference hash tag is #IAPC2024.
Conference scholarships are presented annually. Applications closed June 10. You must be a member of TMA to apply for a conference scholarship. Join TMA now and plan for IAPC 2025.
Donate to TMA’s Scholarship Fund
All conference attendees are strongly urged to book your hotel rooms exclusively through the official hotel booking link provided in your conference registration confirmation email. Recently, there has been an increase in third-party booking scams that appear to offer legitimate accommodations but ultimately defraud guests. Protect yourself and ensure a smooth, hassle-free experience by avoiding these fraudulent offers and booking directly through the link provided by TMA. Your security and peace of mind are TMA’s top priorities.