Conference: Know Before You Go

Know Before You Go

This page shares everything you need to know before you leave for the 41st Annual NAAF Conference on June 25-28 in Orlando, FL.

We can’t wait to see you in Orlando to experience the magic of belonging and the power of community with YOU! 🤗

✈️ IMPORTANT REMINDER: If you are flying to the conference, you will need a REAL ID or a valid passport to board your flight. Due to increased travel for the World Cup, please plan for increased airport security times.

📱Conference App

Download the conference app! This provides everything you need to know about sessions, locations, changes, and newsbreaks. You can also connect with other attendees and plan social outings. Download the Whova app here.

🎤 Register for Your Sessions

Register for your support and educational sessions using the Whova app. Please note that some sessions and events have limited seating, so please register in advance. Only adult attendees may register for sessions on the app.

Difference between support and educational breakout sessions:

• Our support sessions offer a safe space to provide emotional and moral support for one another, where attendees are encouraged to engage with the group and share their personal experiences.
• The educational and empowerment breakout sessions are led by licensed professionals or subject-matter experts, during which attendees will listen to a presentation to learn more about a relevant topic.

🛏️ Conference Hotel 

The DoubleTree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando is located at 5780 Major Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819. Their phone number is (407) 351-1000.

You will need a credit card for incidentals when you check into the hotel. The hotel does not accept cash.

​​​🚕 Transportation To/From the Conference Hotel 

The Orlando International Airport is located ~18 miles from the conference hotel. Estimated travel time is 25 minutes, depending on traffic. Due to increased travel for the World Cup, please plan for increased airport security times.

There are a few transportation options available:

Car Rental

• Hotel Self-Parking: $15 per day – Discounted for NAAF rate only
• Hotel Valet Parking: $41 per day

Taxi 
Taxi stands are located at each terminal

Ride Shares 
Ride-share companies such as Uber, Lyft, Wingz, and KreweCar may pick up passengers at designated spots in each terminal.

Estimated Uber fare from the airport to the hotel is $35.

A Shuttle is Not Available
A shuttle from the official conference hotel is not available. Mears Transportation does not provide service to the conference hotel.

💚 Ambassadors for First-Time Attendees

Our Conference Ambassador Program connects first-time attendees (aka VIPs) with returning participants who volunteer as friendly guides.

They’ll reach out ahead of the conference to introduce themselves, answer any questions, and be a familiar, welcoming face on-site so you can feel supported from the start.

If you don’t hear from your Ambassador by 6/17, please don’t hesitate to reach out to support@naaf.org. We’re happy to help make that connection!

⛺ Youth Camp

If your child(ren) is attending Youth Camp, they must already be registered. Camp check-in is located in Universal F foyer, across from our registration desk. No on-site Youth Camp registration will be available. 

Please have your Youth Camper pack a swimsuit and towel.

The following nut-free meals are provided to campers:

• Continental breakfast (e.g., baked goods, fruit, juice)
• Lunch (e.g., pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, salad)
• Afternoon snack (e.g., chips, popcorn, lemonade)

All meals are served buffet style. Gluten-free options will be available.

✅ Registration & Check-In 

Conference Registration & Check-in is open on:

• Thursday, June 25 from 2:00 – 6:00 pm.
• Friday, June 26 from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday, June 27 from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, June 28 from 7:00 – 10:30 a.m.

If you registered your child for Youth Camp at the conference, camp check-in is located in Universal F foyer, across from our registration desk. No on-site Youth Camp registration will be available. 

🍽️ Meals & Snacks

The following sessions offer complimentary food and/or beverages. Attendees must register for these sessions in advance.

• Thursday, June 25: Registration & Mingle at 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
• Friday, June 26: Welcome Breakfast with Exhibitors at 7:00 – 9:00 a.m.
• Saturday, June 27: Coffee with Exhibitors at 7:00 – 8:30 a.m.
• Saturday, June 27: Walk For Alopecia Kickoff Lunch at 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
• Saturday, June 27: Dessert with Exhibitors at 1:30 – 2:00 p.m.
• Saturday, June 27: Dance Party at 7:30 – 11:00 p.m.
• Sunday, June 28: Walk 101 Breakfast at 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.

Continental breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are provided to Youth Camp attendees. More information is provided in the Youth Camp section of this email.

Restaurants Near the Hotel: You can view a curated list of restaurants near the hotel in the Documents Center in the Whova app.

🌟 You Won’t Want to Miss

Thursday Night Mingle! Connect with old friends and meet new ones (including your Conference Ambassadors for VIPs) during our registration and mingle. Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and grab a drink at a cash bar as you mingle with other conference attendees.

Optional Support Groups in the Evenings on Thursday (6-8 p.m.), Friday (6-7 p.m.), and Saturday (6-7 p.m.) Feeling a little overwhelmed or just want to chat? We’re hosting support group sessions each evening to find a quiet space for reflection and decompression. There are also optional support groups on Sunday morning at 9:00-10:30 a.m.

Join us for the Welcome Breakfast with Exhibitors on Friday morning! This is a great way to kick off our full day of sessions on research, education, support, and empowerment.

Celebrate the official start of our journey together at Opening Session on Friday at 9:00 a.m., where you will hear from community members, volunteer leaders, and our Opening Session Keynote Speaker: Mary Sickler, Miss Nevada USA!

The Walk For Alopecia^® Kickoff Lunch happens on Saturday at Noon. We’ve got FREE T-shirts so you can show your spirit!  On Saturday, wear your bright blue Walk For Alopecia Kickoff T-shirt to proudly “Shine A Light On Alopecia Areata”. Please note that those who registered by June 5 and ordered a T-shirt will receive their T-shirt at registration.

Don’t forget your dancing shoes for the “A Night of Magic and Mischief” Harry Potter-inspired dance party on Saturday night! Attendees are encouraged to come in their best witchcraft-and-wizardry outfit, but it is not required.

We will celebrate our shared journey as we close this year’s conference at Closing Session on Sunday at 11:30 a.m., featuring Finding Belonging Through Community, A Moderated Conversation led by Jack Settleman with Snapback Sports.

👍 Additional Tips & Recommendations

• Casual attire is appropriate for the entire conference.
• Bring a sweater or jacket as meeting rooms can be chilly despite the outside temperatures.
• The conference hotel has an outdoor pool and splash area. Please feel free to bring your swimsuit to take a dip or cool off in the water.
• If you’re new to the conference or if you want a refresher on what to expect, please check out the Conference Orientation Webinar.

📸 Share Your Conference Experience

Please share your experience at the conference with your social media followers. Be sure to use #NAAF41Conf when you post and tag NAAF on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, and LinkedIn.

We hope you are as excited as we are about this year’s conference! It will be educational, inspiring, and empowering. We look forward to seeing old friends and making many new ones this year.

🤔 Questions? Reach out to us at conference@naaf.org.