What are the ALS/MND Meetings?
Every year, usually in early December, the MND Association of England, Wales and Northern Ireland organises the International Symposium on ALS/MND, a scientific conference on ALS/MND for researchers and neurologists. This event changes location every year to better accommodate an international audience. Each year, a member of the Alliance acts as the local host association.
In conjunction with the Symposium, the Alliance organises additional meetings to serve the broader ALS/MND community: the Annual Alliance Meeting and Allied Professionals Forum. Altogether, the Annual Alliance Meeting, Allied Professionals Forum and Symposium make a full week of ALS/MND meetings for a range of audiences.
General information about all of the ALS/MND meetings appears below. To learn more about the 2020 events, or to register, please visit the Montreal 2020 page.
Annual Alliance Meeting
Three days before the start of the Symposium, the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations holds the Annual Alliance Meeting.
The Annual Alliance Meeting is an opportunity for ALS/MND associations to meet and share advances in supporting people living with ALS/MND. It is an opportunity for representatives of ALS/MND associations from around the world to discuss organisational development and planning, patient care and funding, as well as the role and activities of the Alliance and its Board of Directors.
ALS/MND Connect Session (formerly Ask The Experts)
As an addendum to the Alliance Meeting, we invite each year’s host association to organise a free, open ALS/MND Connect session, usually 2-3 hours long, which allows local people living with ALS/MND and their caregivers to attend an afternoon of presentations by neurologists and researchers and then participate in a question and answer session. This session is also live-streamed on Facebook, so people with ALS/MND from around the world can attend and ask questions online. If you have questions about “ALS/MND Connect” please contact the host association.
There is no need to register for the ALS/MND Connect session. It is free of charge for all attendees, whether in-person or online.
Allied Professionals Forum
On the day before the Symposium begins, the Alliance holds the Allied Professionals Forum (APF).
Audience: Allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists, respiratory therapists, nutritionists, speech-language pathologists, social workers and more, who specialise in ALS/MND
Content: Presentations on practical care strategies and assistive technology innovations for the clinical management of ALS/MND
About: The APF is an educational and training forum for healthcare professionals who specialise in ALS/MND. This international forum offers healthcare professionals from around the world an opportunity to share ideas on good practice in the daily management of people with ALS/MND. The APF has received generous long term support from our friends at the ALS Hope Foundation.
International Symposium on ALS/MND
The International Symposium on ALS/MND is the single largest medical and scientific conference on ALS and related Motor Neurone Diseases.
Audience: Neurologists and researchers who specialise in ALS/MND.
This event is organised annually by the MND Association. Please visit their website for more information about the meeting. If you have questions about the Symposium specifically, please direct your queries to symposium@mndassociation.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I register?
Registration is online. There are separate registration portals for the Alliance Meeting, APF and Symposium; each meeting has a different price and a different registration page. When registration opens, you can find registration links, and all the information you need, on the 2020 Montreal page. Registration generally opens on or around 1 May each year. Remember: ALS/MND Connect is free, and there is no need to register for that event.
2. How much does it cost? Are discounts available?
There are separate registration prices for the Alliance Meeting, APF and Symposium. Registration prices can vary from year to year, depending on the cost of the venue. Registration opens 1 May, and the prices will be listed clearly. After that time, you can find registration links and pricing details on the 2020 Montreal page.
If you are a person living with ALS/MND, you can register for the Symposium at the early bird rate, regardless of the date. One personal caregiver can also be registered for the Symposium free of charge to accompany you. To make these arrangements, email symposium@als-mnd.org.
One personal caregiver for a person living with ALS/MND can also register for free for the Annual Alliance Meeting, and the option will appear on the registration webpage.
Members of the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations can apply for grant funding to help them attend the Alliance Meeting and APF. Applications are accepted 1 June through 1 August. Learn more here. Please note: this funding is only available to members and not to the general public.
3. How do I book a hotel?
Hotel information for 2020 will be listed on the MND Association’s website. Please note that hotel rooms are available on a first come, first served basis. Book early to guarantee your spot! More info on the 2020 Montreal page.
4. I have ALS/MND. How do I find support services when I travel for the meetings? What about accessible hotel rooms?
The local host association coordinates local equipment loan or rental and can help you find transportation and any other services you might need. This year, the host is MND Australia. Find their contact information on the 2020 Montreal page.
Accessible rooms are available on a first come, first served basis. Book your room early and contact the hotel directly to reserve an accessible space! Visit the MND Association’s website for hotel details. Remember: hotel rooms can be canceled, free of charge, until a few days before the meeting. To ensure that you get an accessible room, we suggest you book as early as possible.
5. Where can I find recordings, presentations and content from past meetings?
The Alliance keeps video recordings of the Alliance Meeting, ALS/MND Connect (formerly Ask the Experts) and Allied Professionals Forum every year (with the permission of presenters). Find the archives here:
2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011