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2024 At A Glance

When

June 17-19
2024

Where

Denver,
Colorado

What

50+ Sessions &
Exhibitors

Who

500+ Average
Attendees

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
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Together, we ascend.

The ASCEND National Summit is a premier event hosted by the International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF), bringing together families, clinicians, researchers, and Rett organizations from around the world. This biennial gathering features expert-led sessions, interactive breakouts, and keynote presentations on the latest in Rett syndrome research, treatments, and care. Attendees can also connect through engaging social activities and explore an exhibitor hall showcasing innovative products, services, and treatments tailored for individuals with Rett syndrome.

Learn

Sessions, breakouts, and keynotes cover the latest Rett syndrome research and treatment advancements, care topics, and more, all presented by Rett syndrome experts.

Connect

Attend social activities every evening, including a welcome reception and the Purple Party, provide ample opportunity to connect with friends, new and old.

Grow

A dedicated Exhibitor Hall lets you meet with industry partners and learn about the newest products, services, and treatments available to your loved one with Rett syndrome.

Our 2024 Sponsors

Interested in supporting our next event? For questions or to secure a sponsorship, please contact us at ascend@rettsyndrome.org.

IRSF Rett Syndrome Scientific Meeting

In the days before the family conference portion of ASCEND, IRSF hosts the premier, annual gathering of researchers and scientists from around the world focusing on Rett syndrome and Rett-related issues.

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What to Expect

ASCEND 2024 Lineup

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ASCEND

ASCEND 2024 Lineup

Speaker 1

Title, Company

Speaker 2

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Conference Location

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Hotel Accommodations

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Directions

  •  Address

IRSF’s Annual Scientific Meeting

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Our Sponsors

We are grateful to our generous sponsors who help make this meeting possible. Sponsorship opportunities are now available for 2025. Download the Sponsorship Opportunity Packet to learn more about the levels and benefits available. The deadline to submit a sponsor application is XXXXX.

Questions? Contact us at

research@rettsyndrome.org.

Our Exhibitors

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Summit Scholarship Fund

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ASCEND

Frequently Asked Questions

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The Family Conference portion of ASCEND 2024 is open to the entire Rett syndrome community; however, the Scientific Meeting (June 18-19) is only open to clinicians, researchers, scientists, and industry members in the Rett syndrome and Rett-related disorders field. When registering, you’ll be asked a series of questions to determine what ticket types are available to you.

Click here to view the family conference agenda and click here for the agenda for the Scientific Meeting. Check back often for updates to sessions and speakers.

Attendees of both the Scientific Meeting and Family Conference are invited to the Welcome Reception on Wednesday, June 19th at 5 p.m. MT.

The Family Conference will conclude on Saturday, June 22nd at 12:00 p.m. MT.

Unless otherwise noted, your registration provides you access to all the plenary presentations, concurrent breakout sessions, exhibitor hall, and multiple social and networking receptions that makeup ASCEND 2024. Additionally, you receive log-in credentials to utilize our mobile conference app to help navigate your ASCEND experience, select meals, and an attendee welcome bag.*

*Due to capacity restrictions and to keep the cost of attending affordable, some items including access to the mobile conference app will not be provided to those who register as an individual with Rett syndrome or who register only for the social events.

Except where indicated, your registration includes a continental breakfast during the 3-daytime sessions, lunch Thursday and Friday, and light appetizers and refreshments during the Welcome Reception on 6/19 and Purple Party on 6/21.

We will have a variety of food to offer options for everyone, but please indicate any dietary restrictions in your registration and we will do our best to accommodate.

Every attendee will need to register. A name badge is required to access sessions, social activities, and meals during the conference, including individuals with Rett syndrome, though their registration is free. Children 2 years of age and younger do not need to register for ASCEND.

A “Social Events Only” registration option is available for family members-including siblings-and caregivers traveling with those attending daytime sessions. This only includes access to the evening social activities including the Welcome Reception (6/19) and Purple Party (6/21).

Yes. IRSF has reserved a block of rooms at a discounted rate for attendees when booked by May 31st. You can learn more about how to reserve a room on the Location & Travel page of this website and will receive the room block link in your registration confirmation. Staying at The Westin Westminster provides the convenience of being on-site where most activities take place. Because we reserve rooms in bulk, room rates are typically lower when booking as part of our group.

Daytime sessions are designed for adults, caregivers, and professionals within the Rett syndrome community. The content is fast-paced and may not be appropriate for children under 18 and those with Rett syndrome.

Loved ones with Rett syndrome and children are welcome at evening social events, but we request that you please consider making a care plan for your child(ren) during sessions so that you and other participants can benefit from our speakers.

Respite will be available for individuals with Rett syndrome during daytime sessions. Pre-registration will be required, and space will be limited. Individuals who indicate interest in respite care during the registration process for loved one’s with Rett syndrome receive access to register first. To learn more, read the FAQs, and register, please CLICK HERE.

Register for the meeting by clicking here or the “Register Now” button on the landing page, then completing the online process. You will register all members of your family and care team attending on one transaction.

If you have questions or need assistance with the process, please contact Joelle Watson at ascend@rettsyndrome.org or (513) 494-7969.

The International Rett Syndrome Foundation has prioritized making ASCEND 2024 as affordable as possible to allow attendees from all socio-economic backgrounds to participate. We recognize that costs incurred to travel to and attend the summit create a financial hardship for some who would benefit greatly from participation in this event. We have established The Summit Scholarship Fund in an effort to provide financial support to those who apply for financial assistance.

To apply for financial assistance through The Summit Scholarship Fund, please click here. Applications are due by February 1, 2024, and scholarship recipients will be notified in mid-February.

There are also several outside opportunities available for family financial support:

  • If your loved one with Rett is on Medicare, Medicaid, or a Home and Community-based waiver, there may be financial opportunities available for families to travel or be reimbursed for educational conferences like ASCEND. Reach out to your case manager to find out what opportunities are available in your state and how to apply.
  • National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD): The Rare Disease Educational Support Program is designed to offer rare disease patients, their families and/or caregivers an opportunity to participate in educational programs and conferences that offer rare disease content. NORD’s program provides financial support for registration costs and limited assistance with associated travel and lodging costs for conference participation. Assistance is based on eligibility criteria and funding availability.

IRSF is committed to providing quality programming at the ASCEND 2024 Rett Syndrome National Summit. Registrants may attend the live event and may have access to some recordings afterward. For this reason, a confirmed registration may not be canceled. Please note: speakers and agenda are subject to change. In the event of a speaker cancellation, every effort to find a suitable replacement will be made.

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ASCEND Reflections

Look back at previous Summits—photo albums and summary reports. IRSF continues to build upon past insights to pioneer new thought leadership about Rett syndrome. Click to view information from previous meetings.