United In Hope: International Prader-Willi Syndrome Conference
Special Announcement!
The United In Hope: International Prader-Willi Syndrome Conference will be held at the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, from 24-28 June 2025.
The event will be hosted by the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA (PWSA | USA), the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research (FPWR) and the International Prader-Willi Syndrome Organisation (IPWSO).
Our theme, “United in Hope” reflects this unique collaboration, which we anticipate will serve as a catalyst for the largest international PWS conference ever held.
Click the button below to register for the 2025 International PWS Conference. We hope to see you there!
High-Level Family Program Schedule Now Available for Download
Exciting news! A high-level look at the 2025 International PWS Conference Family Program schedule is now available for download. Join us on Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28, 2025, for an incredible lineup of expert-led sessions covering key topics, including:
- – What’s Happening in PWS Research
- – Aging: Cognitive, Physical & Social Health
- – Starting Out Right: Behavioral Strategies for the Early Years & Beyond
- – Clinical Trial Panel
- – Finding Joy Amidst Grief
- – Sleep Disorders in PWS
- – Caring for the Caregiver
- – Mental Health Challenges in People with PWS
- – Trailblazers: Stories of Inspiration from Leaders in Our Community
…and so much more!
Each session is designed to focus on specific age groups of those living with PWS, and parents and caregivers are encouraged to attend sessions based on their loved one’s age. While we’re still fine-tuning details, we can’t wait to welcome families from around the world for this incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. A finalized agenda with our speakers will be released closer to the conference.
Special Conference Project: Submit a Photo for the 2025 International PWS Conference Mural
With the 2025 International PWS Conference: United in Hope drawing near, we are thrilled to offer you an opportunity to celebrate your child’s inspiring legacy of hope!
At the conference site, the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, we will set up a dedicated area to highlight our PWS community, enabling families to create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Additionally, we want to pay tribute to those PWS warriors who may not be able to attend the event. Even if you can’t join us in person, we encourage you to share a picture of your loved one in their “Sunday best” to let us feel your presence. These photos will be compiled to craft a surprise mural for the occasion.
Please fill out the photo release form, which can be found at the button below. While we have ample space to accommodate photos, depending on the response and the volume of submissions, we may not be able to include all images in this special mural Nevertheless, we eagerly anticipate utilizing these pictures in future projects to continue highlighting our incredible PWS community.
2025 Conference Hotel | Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
Important 2025 Conference Resort Update: On-site hotel rooms are almost gone! Act fast if you plan to stay at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa. There are only a few rooms left throughout the week, and once they’re gone, we can’t add more (Thursday, June 26, 2025 – rooms are completely sold out). Secure your spot now to stay right where the action is. Nestled at the base of America’s largest urban park and wilderness preserve, Arizona’s only AAA Four Diamond all-suite resort features spacious one and two-bedroom suites. Whether meeting with colleagues or vacationing with friends, gracious service, creative culinary delights and unique recreational activities await.
The residential-style look of all 744 guest suites at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa provides resort guests with a true “home away from home” experience.
Need alternative accommodations?
We now have a hotel locator website created specifically for conference attendees! Browse nearby lodging options by clicking the button below and choose what works best for you. Just remember – if you stay off-site, you’ll need to arrange transportation to and from the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa for all conference sessions.
Thank You 2025 Conference Sponsors!
Jennifer Bolander has been serving as a Special Education Specialist for PWSA (USA) since October of 2015. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and lives in Ohio with her husband Brad and daughters Kate (17), and Sophia (13) who was born with PWS.
Perry A. Zirkel has written more than 1,500 publications on various aspects of school law, with an emphasis on legal issues in special education. He writes a regular column for NAESP’s Principal magazine and NASP’s Communiqué newsletter, and he did so previously for Phi Delta Kappan and Teaching Exceptional Children.
Evan has worked with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) since 2007 primarily as a Crisis Intervention and Family Support Counselor. Evans works with parents and schools to foster strong collaborative relationships and appropriate educational environments for students with PWS.
Dr. Amy McTighe is the PWS Program Manager and Inpatient Teacher at the Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. She graduated from Duquesne University receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education with a focus on elementary education, special education, and language arts.
Staci Zimmerman works for Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Colorado as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) consultant. Staci collaborates with the PWS multi-disciplinary clinic at the Children’s Hospital in Denver supporting families and school districts around the United States with their child’s Individual Educational Plan.
Founded in 2001, SDLC is a non-profit legal services organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout the South. It partners with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Protection and Advocacy (P&A) programs, Legal Services Corporations (LSC) and disability organizations on major, systemic disability rights issues involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the federal Medicaid Act. Recently in November 2014, Jim retired.