PWS National Conference 2025

OPWSA and FPWR Canada are partnering to host the 2025 PWS National Conference on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at The Kingbridge Centre in King City.

The conference will be comprised of three distinct programs:

Family Conference for parents and guardians
Friends and Fun Club for individuals with PWS of all ages and their siblings
Professional Providers Day for agency staff, educators and other professionals that support individuals with PWS. Parents, please invite any of the professionals that support your child with PWS to register

It's sure to be a great day of learning, information sharing, networking, peer support, and fun including wonderful programming for individuals with PWS of all ages and their siblings.

Family Conference

The conference will feature presentations from experts in the field on such topics as behaviour, research and financial planning. The conference will also provide ample time for parents and caregivers to connect.

Registration Fees:

Regular Price - $180 per person

Draft Agenda

Friends and Fun Club

The Kingbridge Centre has great amenities for our Friends and Fun Club, including a gymnasium, pool, walking track, walking trails (weather permitting), movie theatre, etc. Participants in the Friends and Fun Club will be able to engage in these activities as well as arts and crafts, puzzles, etc.

Did you know that SSAH or Passport funding can be used to cover the cost of admission for individuals with PWS into the Friends and Fun Club since it is considered respite? We can provide you with a receipt so that you can claim the expense.

Please note that for kids under the age of 6, it is expected that families provide their own volunteer (parent, grandparent, friend, etc.) to look after their child in the Friends and Fun Club. Every participant in the Friends and Fun Club must register (regardless of whether you are providing your own volunteer).

As part of the registration, we ask for suggested ratio of support. Please note that we cannot guarantee a 1:1 ratio. It is dependent on the number of volunteers that we have.

Registration Fees:

Regular Price - $100 per person

Please note that registration for the Friends and Fun Club is on the same registration page as the Family Conference registration.

Professional Providers Day

The conference will feature an interactive session from Latham Centers which is designed to equip caregivers and support staff with practical, trauma-informed tools to manage and reduce challenging behaviors commonly seen in individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). Participants will learn how to create structured, predictable environments, implement proactive behavioral strategies, and use self-compassion practices to reduce caregiver stress. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the neurological basis of behaviors, such as rigidity and food-related anxiety, and how to respond with empathy, consistency, and skill. Attendees will leave with actionable techniques for fostering calmer, more collaborative daily routines while maintaining caregiver well-being.

Registration Fees:

Regular Price - $250 per person

Draft Agenda

Event Details

Dates and Times:

Friday, October 24, 2025 - Meet and Greet - 7:00pm-9:00pm

Saturday, October 25, 2025 - 9:00am-5:30pm

Locations:

Friday Evening Meet and Greet

State & Main Kitchen and Bar - 3584 Major MacKenzie Dr. W., Vaughan, ON

*Please note: There will be no formal supervision or support provided for individuals with PWS or their siblings during the Meet & Greet, so we kindly ask that children remain under the care of their parent or guardian during this time.

PWS National Conference

The Kingbridge Centre - 12750 Jane Street, King City, ON

Parking is free at The Kingbridge Centre.

Accommodations:

The Kingbridge Centre - 12750 Jane Street, King City, ON

Overnight rooms are available at the Kingbridge Centre and include breakfast for a cost of $289 +HST per night based on single occupancy, or $334 +HST per night based on double occupancy. If you are interested in staying overnight at Kingbridge Centre, we have a block of rooms available until September 25th. To book a room, contact the Kingbridge Centre Reservations Team at 905-833-3086 and let them know that you are attending the PWS Conference. Please note that you will be responsible for abiding by their cancellation policy and paying for cancellation fees incurred.

Other Hotel Options:

There are other hotels about 15-20 minutes away near Vaughan Mills, and also around Hwy 400 and Hwy 7 if you are looking for more cost effective options.

Volunteers:

We are looking for volunteers for our Friends and Fun Club! If you know of someone over the age of 15 that would be interested in supporting individuals with PWS and their siblings, please complete the volunteer registration by selecting the Volunteer ticket type, or by completing the Volunteer Form.