The Tourette Association of America invites you to submit a proposal for the 2020 Tourette Association of America National Conference (“TAA National Conference”).  The conference will be held May 14-17, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency: Minneapolis Downtown in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

The Tourette Association of America (formerly known as the Tourette Syndrome Association) is the premier national non-profit organization working to make life better for all people affected by Tourette syndrome and Tic Disorders. The TAA National Conference is our Biennial event, which serves to forward our three pillars of research, awareness, and support, by educating families and professionals challenged by Tourette and Tic Disorders.  For 2020, the Conference will be presented in two segments:

 

  1. A new Research Symposium featuring the latest innovations in the neurobiological understanding of TS and innovative treatment approaches under development, and
  2. A Family and Education Conference featuring programming designed for anyone touched by Tourette and Tic Disorders.  This year marks the first time the TAA is requesting proposals for presentations.
This RFP is for the Family & Education Conference taking place May 15-17, 2020. If you are a Young Investigator interested in presenting at the Symposium, please click here.
DOWNLOAD THE RFP
SUBMIT YOUR presentation
SYMPOSIUM INFORMATION
DEADLINES
 
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
EXTENDED December 15, 2019
 
DECISION DATE
January 30, 2020
 
CONFERENCE
May 14-17, 2020
 
EVENT DETAILS
 
WHEN
May 14-17, 2020
 
WHERE
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
1300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN
AUDIENCE:
The TAA National Conference features programming for children (8-12) and teenagers (13-17) with TS and their siblings, adults with TS, parents and caregivers, educators, medical professionals, applied health professionals and combinations of these groups. Presentations should be targeted to a general audience and be free of overly technical jargon.
 
PRESENTATION OPTIONS:
The TAA will accept presentations in the following formats:
  • Panel discussion/roundtables
  • Lecture session – (max 3 speakers)
  • Interactive session with or without lecture elements (ex. small groups, breakouts, roll play)
  • Activity/support group facilitation
 
LENGTH OF SESSIONS:
Conference sessions can be 1:30, 1:15, or 1 hour long. Youth sessions can be as short as 30min and as long as 1hr. Please indicate the expected length of your presentation.
 
REQUIREMENTS FOR SPEAKERS: 
 
  • All speakers must commit to the presentation of their workshop at the designated time during the conference (May 16-17, 2020) in Minneapolis.
  • Speakers should grant permission for hard copy and online distribution of any submitted supplemental resource material(s).
  • If you wish to distribute copyrighted information in your supplemental resources materials, it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary permission. Such materials will be distributed only if submitted with the publisher’s written permission attached.
  • Speakers are prohibited from promoting specific companies or products in their presentations, and from fundraising for other organizations or individuals.
 
BENEFITS TO PRESENTERS:
All Conference presenters and facilitators will receive complimentary registration for Conference, and will be eligible for discounted rates on exhibit tables and displays. Conference speakers will NOT be reimbursed for hotel or travel expenses. Our goal is to keep registration costs down for all attendees while at the same time acknowledging the time, experience, and expertise offered by our presenters.
RFP REQUIREMENTS:
 
  1.  Primary Presenter Name
    1. Credentials
    2. Contact information (email, phone, mailing address)
  2. Title of Workshop
  3. 300 Word Presentation Summary (more information below)
  4. Presentation Marketing Description (limit 100 words) – this description will appear on our website, registration site, conference app, and other media.
  5. Targeted Audience (check as many as apply)
    1. Child (8-12)
    2. Teen (13-17)
    3. Adult
    4. Parent/General Education
    5. Medical Personnel
    6. Applied Health Professionals
    7. Educators
  6. Learning Objectives (3)
  7. Length of Presentation
    1. 1:00 hr
    2. 1:15 hrs
    3. 1:30 hrs
    4. 30 mins (Youth Only)
    5. 45 mins (Youth Only)
  8. Co-Presenters (names, credentials, contact information)
  9. Presenter Bios (max 200 words) highlighting experience relevant to their presentation on TS, including headshots for speakers(s) and any co-presenters.
  10. OPTIONAL: Please attach or provide links to previous presentations, publications or other media as available
 
SUMMARY RECOMMENDATIONS:
Please take note of these suggested presentation elements as you plan your proposal. The following will be considered as we make our final workshop selections:
  • Encourage Active Learning: Identify what methods you will use to encourage active learning (participatory) versus passive learning (listening). Interactive sessions are highly encouraged.
  • Practical Tools: Attendees will be looking for practical tools for use in their lives and practices.
  • Diversity: Presentations should aim to be free from cultural biases and be inclusive of the diverse communities affected by Tourette Syndrome. Indicate incorporation or primary focus on culturally competent programming.
  • Programming for multiple audiences: Presentations that speak to both parents and educators, teens and adults, teens and their caregivers, or other categories of attendees are encouraged.
  • Q&A: Allow time for questions and answers from participants.
  • Handouts: Providing a handout, or digital presentation accessible through our Conference App, will help attendees follow your presentation, will help attendees who miss your presentation to see an overview of what was covered, and can provide suggestions for further resources.
  • Lived Experience: We encourage presenters to use stories of their own experience in their sessions. Where applicable, please indicate inclusion.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT