GET YOUR BOOTS ON!
The 5th US MTM-CNM Family Conference was held in Nashville, TN
July 21-23, 2017

Read a summary of conference highlights in our post-conference Newsletter!

And check out this beautiful slideshow from Conference photographer Levi Gershkowitz:
Conference Program Book:
The 2017 Program Book is available for download.  Special thanks to Jesse Trevino of Bulls Head Printing for the great service in providing the printed programs for conference attendees.

Thank you to the 2017 MTM-CNM Family Conference Sponsors!

Picture
Hotel Information
We are thrilled to be partnering with the Nashville Airport Marriott to provide an incredible venue for our 2017 Conference.  We have reserved a block of rooms at a specially negotiated nightly rate of $134 (+tax), which is a significant discount for this highly rated hotel.

The online booking is now full, so to make reservations (subject to availability) please call Marriott's Judy Gero directly at (615) 872-2834 during normal business hours.

​If you have any additional questions, you can also contact our team at info@mtm-cnm.org.
​A few highlights of the Nashville Airport Marriott:
  • Just minutes from the airport, easy access to highways
  • Wheelchair-accessible shuttle available for transportation between airport and hotel (contact the front desk ahead of time to make your arrangements)
  • Plenty of free open-air parking that can accommodate vehicles of any size
  • Indoor and outdoor pools, with accessibility lifts
  • Recently renovated meeting space and guest rooms
  • Starbucks onsite, as well as a great restaurant and bar
This hotel has hosted the annual Tennessee Disability MegaConference for over 10 years, and the staff is very knowledgeable and welcoming to guests with disabilities.
Getting to the Conference
We have picked this location and venue with the intent of being as accessible as possible to as many families as possible.  Still, we recognize that any amount of travel with a family member impacted by MTM/CNM can be challenging.  Most families attending previous conferences have had to travel significant distances and are happy to share travel tips based on their experiences either flying or driving.  In addition to the tips below, feel free to join our closed Facebook group "MTM-CNM Family Conference" for great family-to-family sharing.

In General:
  • Plan ahead, make a budget, plan your itinerary.
  • Discuss your travel plans with your loved one's physician and make sure their medical needs will be taken care of.
  • Make a checklist of essential items, including backups/spares as needed.

Driving:
  • Plan your route with Google Maps or similar.  Plan ahead for points of interest, as well as any major hospitals or resources you might need along the way.
  • Consider how many hours you want to drive before stopping overnight.  Take some "practice trips" if your loved one with MTM/CNM has not spent long hours in a car before.
  • Special considerations should be made for safe transportation if your child is not able to use a regular car seat or seat belt.  There are resources to help.  See this policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
  • Gas prices can vary greatly from one state to the next - use a site such as Gas Buddy to help plan your fuel stops and estimate total fuel costs.
  • Take advantage of hotel chain loyalty programs- for example, Marriott Rewards - and book any nights on the road ahead of time.
  • Got a birthday or other special occasion coming up?  Ask family and friends for gift cards for gas, hotel points for a free night, or other ways to help with the expenses.

Flying:
  • Arrange with the hotel for complimentary shuttle service (wheelchair accessible) to and from the airport.
  • Tips for Flying with a ventilator (written by Burke and Krista following the 2013 Conference)
  • Manufacturer-specific links for ventilator air travel: Trilogy, LTV


We hope you will be able to join us at the 2017 MTM-CNM Family Conference!  This will be the 5th biennial conference in the United States, and promises to be the best one yet!  Don't forget...
  • Sign up for our newsletters to get the latest information as soon as it is available
  • Help out with fundraising any way you can
  • Stay in touch via email or Facebook
  • Start making your personal travel plans to get to Nashville next July!
Conference Registration is Now Closed
Registration Deadline: July 4th, 2017
Please note that Conference Registration is separate from making your Hotel Reservation.  Registration is required for all conference attendees, and onsite registration is not available.  Included in your registration is a conference T-shirt, dinner Friday and Saturday, lunch Saturday and Sunday, all kids activities and all conference events, presentations, and workshops.

Registration Fee Schedule for 2017:
  • Individuals diagnosed with MTM/CNM....Free
  • Adults 18 and over..........................................$100 -> now $125
  • Children 12-17...................................................$50 -> now $65
  • Children 4-11.....................................................$25 -> now $40
  • Children 0-3.....................................................Free
  • After June 23, fees increase by $25 for adults and $15 for kids 4-17
Families joining our Crowdrise fundraising team can get $100 off of their family registration for every $500 they raise!
Be sure to subscribe to our Newsletters to ensure you receive the latest news regarding the conference - see y'all there!

A limited number of travel grants are available to help families with the cost of getting to Nashville for the conference.  For more information and to apply, please click here.
Conference Agenda/Outline
The detailed agenda is available toward the top of this page, by clicking on the PDF icon.
Below is a basic outline of the agenda.
​
To accommodate the growing needs of our community, including research and social opportunities , we will have some expanded conference activities this year before and after the Conference program.  Note: All activities being planned in conjunction with the Nashville conference for our MTM-CNM community will be coordinated through MTM-CNM Family Connection. If you have additional suggestions or requests for the conference planning team to consider you may email us at any time at info@mtm-cnm.org

Thursday July 20th
  • Special orientation and welcoming session for "new families" (1st time Conference attendees, and/or newly diagnosed)
  • Participate in research and focus group opportunities throughout the day (UF Respiratory Study, UF Carrier Study, Nationwide Movement Assessment)
  • Community dinner (additional cost TBD, depending on fundraising).  Since many families choose to arrive early and get settled in to the hotel before the Conference program kicks off on Friday, this will provide an opportunity to start relaxing and enjoying each other's company
Picture
Friday July 21st
Picture
Saturday July 22nd
  • Scientific and medical presentations
  • Special interest workshops
  • Kid's activities and entertainment
  • Lunch
  • Group Photo
  • Community dinner and Variety Show/Coffeehouse
Picture
Sunday July 23rd
  • Continued presentations
  • Lunch and Conference program wrap up
  • Community dinner (additional cost TBD) for those choosing to remain

Monday July 24th
  • Wrap up research studies and focus groups
  • Informal outings to downtown Nashville, Opryland, etc
Copyright 2014-2018 MTM-CNM Family Connection, Inc 
Admin