2023 Annual PSC Partners Conference Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect at the 2023 Annual PSC Partners Patient and Caregiver Conference?

You can expect important conversations, exciting research updates, and renewed connections with the PSC community. An agenda will be available soon.

Who should attend the Conference?

PSC Patients, Caregivers, Parents, Family Members, Friends, Researchers, Clinicians, Industry Representatives

Attendees must be 13-years-of-age or older. Due to the serious nature of some of the Conference presentations and conversations, there is no exception to this rule, including babies. 

Do I need to register for the Conference?

YES. Registration will be open soon.

How much does the Conference cost?

• Patients and Caregivers: Registration Fee - (Info. coming soon.)
• Corporate and Community Sponsors - (Info. coming soon.)
• Academic Researchers and Clinicians - (Info. coming soon.)
• Non-Sponsor Industry Attendees - (Info. coming soon.)

What do my Conference fees go towards?

Your total Conference fee (100%) goes towards the cost of the Conference. We try to keep our registration fees as low as possible. Please note that PSC Partners Seeking a Cure and our generous Conference sponsors subsidize a significant portion of your Conference costs. Your personal transportation and hotel costs are not covered in the fee, but we have negotiated discounted rates for lodging.

Will patients/caregivers have a chance to talk with PSC experts?

YES. Not only will there be time for post-presentation questions, we also have events and free time throughout the weekend where engagement is encouraged. 

Are international folks invited to the Conference?

YES. As always, we encourage folks from all over the world to attend our Conference. We hope to have a large international contingent! The Conference will be in English.

Do I need to register ahead of time, or can I register the day of the Conference?

All attendees MUST register prior to the Conference. We send out many reminders via our newsletter prior to the conference about registration deadlines and details. If you are interested in receiving Conference updates, please sign up for our mailing list, and you will receive these updates through our monthly newsletter and email communications. 

Are you asking people to sign up as Mentors?

YES. If you’ve attended at least one Conference, please sign up to be a Mentor. If you would like a Mentor, you can request that, as well. There is a spot on the registration form. We will have opportunities for Mentors and Mentees to connect during the Conference. Click here to learn more about our Mentor Program.

Will there be time to socialize, say hello to old friends, and meet new folks?

YES. During the weekend, we have set aside times for peer-to-peer conversation. Additionally, there will be fun social events, including the Saturday evening gala, as well as lots of free time to mingle with others.

Will young PSC patients have a chance to socialize with each other?

YES. We know it's vital for young PSC patients to spend time with others around their same age. There will be a teen lounge specifically for this important group of attendees and social events scheduled just for them. Remember that Conference-goers must be aged 13 and over.

What is the dress code?

There is no set dress code for the Conference. Most attendees wear jeans or slacks. Because conditions can vary due to air conditioning, a sweater or sweatshirt is strongly advised. Meals will be outside, and it will be warm. So, it's important to prepare for that, as well. The Saturday evening gala will have a theme, and costumes are encouraged, but not required. More information about that event will be available soon.

What happens if I don't have enough energy to make it through a whole day?

Nobody understands being tired and worn out quite like the PSC community. There is no penalty for missing a lecture and no problem if you need to be excused during one. As long as you don’t create a disruption for the speaker or those who are enjoying the presentations, you can enter and leave the rooms as needed.

Do I have to attend the entire Conference?

NO. While we hope folks will come to most, if not all, of the sessions and events, we know that isn’t always possible. However, Conference fees will not be prorated for partial attendance.

Will the Conference be too much for me emotionally?

Conference topics sometimes cover sensitive issues and can be overwhelming. With that in mind, we strive to make our weekends balanced and temper the seriousness with lots of time to bond, ask questions, relax, and even laugh together. We’ve been told time and time again that attendees leave with a much more positive attitude about life with PSC. Additionally, attendees usually meet lifelong friends and establish an extra support system to boot!

Can my dietary needs be accommodated?

When planning our menus, we do our best to provide meal options that meet the needs of PSC and IBD patients. On the registration form, we offer vegetarian, gluten free, and low fiber options. 

Will we be eating outdoors and are masks required?

To protect those in our community who are immunocompromised, meals will be served outside. Regarding masks and social distancing at this event, here is the protocol:

The health and safety of those who are immunocompromised in our community is of the utmost importance to us. To help people make a choice that is best for them, we are providing the following details:

• While we will strongly recommend the wearing of masks at our Conference and hope all attendees will mask while indoors to protect immunocompromised people in our community, masks will not be required.
• The Conference hotel does not require masks, and we cannot guarantee that masks will be worn.
• If you’re not feeling well, please consider not attending. We’ll miss you, but we want to keep everyone comfortable.
• PSC Partners will provide sanitizing stations and free masks throughout the Conference venue.
• Depending on updates to CDC, World Health Organization, or the state guidelines, PSC Partners protocol may be subject to change.
• Before attending, each person should evaluate the risks associated with traveling to and from the Conference and attending an in-person event.
• Based on a practice developed by Global Genes for one of their events, we will provide stickers allowing folks to let people know if they prefer social distancing.

Must I stay at the recommended hotel?

You may stay wherever you choose. However, most PSC patients and caregivers prefer to stay at the recommended hotel in order to remain close to the activities and to further communicate and socialize with other attendees. We always try to get the most reasonable group rates possible for rooms. Please be sure to reserve your hotel room at one of the recommended hotels as soon as possible in order to secure the discounted group rate.

Do I need to rent a car?

NO. The Conference venue, Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, NV, is a ten minute drive from the Las Vegas airport. Public transportation is readily available. We have blocks of rooms available at this resort, and it is easy to walk from the guest area to the meeting rooms. If you have chosen to stay at one of the hotels located just a mile from the Conference venue, you can use public transportation to take you to and from Green Valley Ranch, or, for those able, walking is also an option. The Conference fee does not cover the cost of public transportation. However, transportation will be provided by PSC Partners for all scheduled events away from the Conference venue.

Are there any hidden charges once I arrive?

There are NO hidden charges once you arrive. There will be an opportunity to purchase PSC Partners’ merchandise, but no other funds are required to attend the Conference once your registration and hotel room fees have been paid. Non-alcoholic beverages will be available for all Conference meals. Alcoholic beverages, while available at the hotel or event location, are not included in the registration fee. Each year, we provide a venue for a pre-Conference meet and greet dinner on the night before the Conference officially begins. Fees for this event are paid by each attendee who chooses to attend.

Will the Conference be recorded?

YES. Presentations will be recorded and posted on our website and YouTube channel. Peer sessions and social events will not be recorded.