Due to the recent surge of the Covid variant and Florida being the #1 hotspot… The LPA MAB doctors, who were planning on coming to this event, do not deem it safe or feel comfortable with traveling and attending our event in October under the current Covid conditions. We also recognize that many of our LPA members and attendees are children who are at a higher risk with the Covid surge currently for this age group. This presents further challenges with trying to host the regional in person. Therefore, we have made the difficult decision to CANCEL the 2021 District 4 Fall Regional in Gainesville.
We are very disappointed, we had a great event planned and know that many of you were looking forward to it. However, as with all of our LPA events, the safety and wellbeing of all of our members and attendees are a top priority!
If you have any questions, comments or concerns please email lpadistrict4@gmail.com. As always, please take the proper measures to support your health and the health of others during this challenging time.
Thanks,
Aimee Rudd
District 4 Director
We are very disappointed, we had a great event planned and know that many of you were looking forward to it. However, as with all of our LPA events, the safety and wellbeing of all of our members and attendees are a top priority!
If you have any questions, comments or concerns please email lpadistrict4@gmail.com. As always, please take the proper measures to support your health and the health of others during this challenging time.
Thanks,
Aimee Rudd
District 4 Director
LPA District 4 and the North Florida Chapter invite you to the 2022 Fall Regional in Gainesville, Florida! Home to the University of Florida, the Drury Inn & Suites hotel is offering our group a fantastic room rate that includes a variety of free complimentary food and beverage options for all guests! Situated right off of I-75, the hotel is within close proximity to plenty of shopping, dining and several area attractions like the Florida Museum of Natural History, Butterfly Rainforest, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium(home of the Florida Gators) and Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. We’re looking forward to finally hosting in northern Florida and having this District 4 Fall Regional event!
A few important things to know before you register:
- LPA Paid Membership & Registration is required for everyone attending the regional.
- Hotel room block reservation cut off date is September 16!
- LPA Early Registration deadline is September 22! Registration is online only.
- Review the LPA Membership Info and Refund Policy.
- Review and sign the LPA COVID-19 Liability Waiver Agreement & LPA Code of Conduct Agreement.
It’s going to be a great time for everyone, we hope that you can join us for it! If you have any questions or need any assistance please reach out to lpadistrict4@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you in October!
Aimee Rudd
District 4 Director
A few important things to know before you register:
- LPA Paid Membership & Registration is required for everyone attending the regional.
- Hotel room block reservation cut off date is September 16!
- LPA Early Registration deadline is September 22! Registration is online only.
- Review the LPA Membership Info and Refund Policy.
- Review and sign the LPA COVID-19 Liability Waiver Agreement & LPA Code of Conduct Agreement.
It’s going to be a great time for everyone, we hope that you can join us for it! If you have any questions or need any assistance please reach out to lpadistrict4@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you in October!
Aimee Rudd
District 4 Director
Hotel
Drury Inn & Suites
4000 SW 40th Boulevard
Gainesville, FL 32608
352-372-5600
www.druryhotels.com/locations/gainesville-fl
LPA Standard Room Rate: $129/night plus tax
Guest rooms feature either a king or two queen size beds with a refrigerator, microwave, hairdryer and coffee maker.
LPA Suite Room Rate: $189/night plus tax
Deluxe two-room suites feature a bedroom with either a king or two queen size beds. A separate living room area includes a pull out queen sofa sleeper. Note: We only have a few Suites available in our room block.
Room Reservations: Call 800-325-0720 and use our Little People of America group #2446987 or book online at www.druryhotels.com/bookandstay/newreservation/?groupno=2446987. The reservation cut off date for our group block is September 16! If any rooms are still available after the deadline there is no guarantee the hotel will honor the LPA room rate. Don't wait to book your room!
Check-In/Out Times:
Check-In is 3:00 PM. Check-Out is 11:00 AM.
Room Cancellation Policy:
You must cancel before 12:00 PM EST on the day of your scheduled arrival to avoid a charge. Cancelling your reservation after this deadline or failing to show will result in a non-refundable charge for 1 night per room to your credit card.
Hotel Amenities:
- Free Parking
- Free Wi-Fi Internet access
- Outdoor Pool and Whirlpool
- Free Hot Breakfast from 6:00 AM - 9:30 AM on weekdays and 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM on weekends. Start the day with make your own belgian waffles, scrambled eggs, sausage, fresh fruit, oatmeal, biscuits and gravy, KELSO+BROS coffee and more.
- Free 5:30 Kickback from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM. Enjoy a rotating menu of delicious hot food and cold soft drinks, beer, wine and mixed drinks every evening at the 5:30 Kickback. View the 5:30 Kickback Menu here!
- Free Popcorn & Soda Fountain drinks from 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Enjoy freshly popped popcorn and beverages in the lobby every evening.
Local Area Attractions:
Florida Museum of Natural History
Butterfly Rainforest
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
4000 SW 40th Boulevard
Gainesville, FL 32608
352-372-5600
www.druryhotels.com/locations/gainesville-fl
LPA Standard Room Rate: $129/night plus tax
Guest rooms feature either a king or two queen size beds with a refrigerator, microwave, hairdryer and coffee maker.
LPA Suite Room Rate: $189/night plus tax
Deluxe two-room suites feature a bedroom with either a king or two queen size beds. A separate living room area includes a pull out queen sofa sleeper. Note: We only have a few Suites available in our room block.
Room Reservations: Call 800-325-0720 and use our Little People of America group #2446987 or book online at www.druryhotels.com/bookandstay/newreservation/?groupno=2446987. The reservation cut off date for our group block is September 16! If any rooms are still available after the deadline there is no guarantee the hotel will honor the LPA room rate. Don't wait to book your room!
Check-In/Out Times:
Check-In is 3:00 PM. Check-Out is 11:00 AM.
Room Cancellation Policy:
You must cancel before 12:00 PM EST on the day of your scheduled arrival to avoid a charge. Cancelling your reservation after this deadline or failing to show will result in a non-refundable charge for 1 night per room to your credit card.
Hotel Amenities:
- Free Parking
- Free Wi-Fi Internet access
- Outdoor Pool and Whirlpool
- Free Hot Breakfast from 6:00 AM - 9:30 AM on weekdays and 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM on weekends. Start the day with make your own belgian waffles, scrambled eggs, sausage, fresh fruit, oatmeal, biscuits and gravy, KELSO+BROS coffee and more.
- Free 5:30 Kickback from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM. Enjoy a rotating menu of delicious hot food and cold soft drinks, beer, wine and mixed drinks every evening at the 5:30 Kickback. View the 5:30 Kickback Menu here!
- Free Popcorn & Soda Fountain drinks from 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Enjoy freshly popped popcorn and beverages in the lobby every evening.
Local Area Attractions:
Florida Museum of Natural History
Butterfly Rainforest
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
Regional Schedule
(Activities/Times may be subject to change)
Friday, October 7
Activities (On Your Own)
- Hang out at the hotel or check out a few area attractions!
LPA Registration
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
- Pick up your welcome bag or register onsite at the registration table located in the main ballroom.
Dinner or 5:30 Kickback (On Your Own)
- Meet up with friends at the hotels 5:30 Kickback or go offsite to local establishments.
Welcome Night Social
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Join us as we kick off the weekend! Come mingle with LPA friends and meet new ones for a fun night of games, kids movie corner and socializing together! Snacks and beverages will be served.
Saturday, October 8
LPA Registration
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Pick up your welcome bag or register onsite at the registration table located in the main ballroom.
Kids Room - Ages 3-12 yrs.
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
- Children are invited to hang out, have some fun with crafts, games, snacks and movies while parents attend the parents meeting, district meeting and doctors workshop. Children under 3 yrs old are welcome with parent supervision. The kids room will be staffed by adult volunteers. Parents must remain in the hotel. Sign up on the registration form. Teens are always welcome to come hang out and/or help keep the younger kids busy!
Parents Meeting
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
- All parents are encouraged to attend this casual open discussion. It will be a great opportunity to meet other parents, ask questions and share experiences. Topics will range from newborn to high school aged LP kids. If you have any questions or topics that you would like to be addressed during this meeting please list them on your registration form.
District General Assembly Meeting
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
- Everyone is encouraged to attend this meeting! Meet the D4 district/chapter officers and find out what's happening at the chapter, district, and national levels of LPA. The District 4 Officers Election will be held during this meeting.
**Active LPA Members NOT attending the regional in person can join us virtually on Zoom for the General Assembly Meeting. Please sign up on the Zoom registration form at the bottom of this page.**
Doctors Medical Panel Workshop
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
- An informative discussion and Q&A lead by the following dwarfism specialists and members of the LPA Medical Advisory Board.
Dr. Julie Hoover-Fong - Geneticist
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Baltimore, Maryland
Dr. Dan Hoernschemeyer - Orthopedic Surgeon
University of Missouri Hospital
Columbia, Missouri
Dr. George Jallo - Neurosurgeon
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
St. Petersburg, Florida
* Dr. Jallo will be joining us virtually on Zoom for this workshop.*
In addition to these doctors, we will have a few physicians joining us from the skeletal dysplasia group at the All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. The new skeletal dysplasia clinic lead by Dr. Jallo is a comprehensive clinic that includes several specialties.
Lunch & Local Activities (On Your Own)
Doctor Appointments
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- The LPA Medical Advisory Board doctors will be available for private one on one sessions during this time. Everyone is also welcome to stop by the medical suite to say ‘Hello’ to the physicians from the skeletal dysplasia group. Find out more about their new center in St. Petersburg, Florida.
If you would like sign up to meet with an LPA MAB specialist, you must first register for the regional and pay your registration fees. Once you are registered then fill out the doctors sign up form below to request an appointment. For any questions regarding the doctors and appointments please email Colleen Gioffreda at cgioffreda@jhu.edu.
Expo
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
- Visit the different vendors that will be set up in the ballroom.
Essential Oils 101 Workshop
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
- Join Aimee Rudd during the Expo, for this open discussion as she shares about Young Living Essential Oils. Learn what essential oils are, why purity matters, how to use them to help support your health and much more. All workshop attendees will have the opportunity to try samples and receive an essential oil swag bag.
Emotional Intelligence Workshop
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
- Join fellow D4 member and certified Life Coach, Bianca Lee, as she leads this personal development workshop on Emotional Intelligence - the ability to recognize your emotions as well as the emotions of others. Learn helpful steps to recognize what you are feeling, what your emotions mean and how they can affect other people. Bianca will help identify solutions to our challenges through emotional intelligence exercises and games for ages 16 and older.
Ninja Warrior Fitness Workshop
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
- Join ‘American Ninja Warrior’ contestant and trainer, Shane Scudder, as he shares his experiences having dwarfism in the fitness industry. Learn the basics of Ninja Warrior as Shane demonstrates LP friendly Ninja workouts for both adults and kids.
Dinner or 5:30 Kickback (On Your Own)
- Meet up with friends at the hotels 5:30 Kickback or go offsite to local establishments.
Mix & Mingle
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Join us for an evening of fun, music, snacks plus a few other surprises!
Expo
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Visit the different vendors that will be set up in the ballroom.
Group Picture
7:45 PM
- The regional group photo will be taken right before bingo starts, don’t miss out being in it!
Bingo
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Hang out and have some fun playing bingo with everyone. Bingo books and prizes will be available for those that want to play!
Sunday, October 9
Sunday Farewell
- Thanks for joining us!
Activities (On Your Own)
- Hang out at the hotel or check out a few area attractions!
LPA Registration
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
- Pick up your welcome bag or register onsite at the registration table located in the main ballroom.
Dinner or 5:30 Kickback (On Your Own)
- Meet up with friends at the hotels 5:30 Kickback or go offsite to local establishments.
Welcome Night Social
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Join us as we kick off the weekend! Come mingle with LPA friends and meet new ones for a fun night of games, kids movie corner and socializing together! Snacks and beverages will be served.
Saturday, October 8
LPA Registration
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Pick up your welcome bag or register onsite at the registration table located in the main ballroom.
Kids Room - Ages 3-12 yrs.
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
- Children are invited to hang out, have some fun with crafts, games, snacks and movies while parents attend the parents meeting, district meeting and doctors workshop. Children under 3 yrs old are welcome with parent supervision. The kids room will be staffed by adult volunteers. Parents must remain in the hotel. Sign up on the registration form. Teens are always welcome to come hang out and/or help keep the younger kids busy!
Parents Meeting
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
- All parents are encouraged to attend this casual open discussion. It will be a great opportunity to meet other parents, ask questions and share experiences. Topics will range from newborn to high school aged LP kids. If you have any questions or topics that you would like to be addressed during this meeting please list them on your registration form.
District General Assembly Meeting
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
- Everyone is encouraged to attend this meeting! Meet the D4 district/chapter officers and find out what's happening at the chapter, district, and national levels of LPA. The District 4 Officers Election will be held during this meeting.
**Active LPA Members NOT attending the regional in person can join us virtually on Zoom for the General Assembly Meeting. Please sign up on the Zoom registration form at the bottom of this page.**
Doctors Medical Panel Workshop
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
- An informative discussion and Q&A lead by the following dwarfism specialists and members of the LPA Medical Advisory Board.
Dr. Julie Hoover-Fong - Geneticist
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Baltimore, Maryland
Dr. Dan Hoernschemeyer - Orthopedic Surgeon
University of Missouri Hospital
Columbia, Missouri
Dr. George Jallo - Neurosurgeon
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
St. Petersburg, Florida
* Dr. Jallo will be joining us virtually on Zoom for this workshop.*
In addition to these doctors, we will have a few physicians joining us from the skeletal dysplasia group at the All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. The new skeletal dysplasia clinic lead by Dr. Jallo is a comprehensive clinic that includes several specialties.
Lunch & Local Activities (On Your Own)
Doctor Appointments
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- The LPA Medical Advisory Board doctors will be available for private one on one sessions during this time. Everyone is also welcome to stop by the medical suite to say ‘Hello’ to the physicians from the skeletal dysplasia group. Find out more about their new center in St. Petersburg, Florida.
If you would like sign up to meet with an LPA MAB specialist, you must first register for the regional and pay your registration fees. Once you are registered then fill out the doctors sign up form below to request an appointment. For any questions regarding the doctors and appointments please email Colleen Gioffreda at cgioffreda@jhu.edu.
Expo
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
- Visit the different vendors that will be set up in the ballroom.
Essential Oils 101 Workshop
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
- Join Aimee Rudd during the Expo, for this open discussion as she shares about Young Living Essential Oils. Learn what essential oils are, why purity matters, how to use them to help support your health and much more. All workshop attendees will have the opportunity to try samples and receive an essential oil swag bag.
Emotional Intelligence Workshop
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
- Join fellow D4 member and certified Life Coach, Bianca Lee, as she leads this personal development workshop on Emotional Intelligence - the ability to recognize your emotions as well as the emotions of others. Learn helpful steps to recognize what you are feeling, what your emotions mean and how they can affect other people. Bianca will help identify solutions to our challenges through emotional intelligence exercises and games for ages 16 and older.
Ninja Warrior Fitness Workshop
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
- Join ‘American Ninja Warrior’ contestant and trainer, Shane Scudder, as he shares his experiences having dwarfism in the fitness industry. Learn the basics of Ninja Warrior as Shane demonstrates LP friendly Ninja workouts for both adults and kids.
Dinner or 5:30 Kickback (On Your Own)
- Meet up with friends at the hotels 5:30 Kickback or go offsite to local establishments.
Mix & Mingle
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Join us for an evening of fun, music, snacks plus a few other surprises!
Expo
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Visit the different vendors that will be set up in the ballroom.
Group Picture
7:45 PM
- The regional group photo will be taken right before bingo starts, don’t miss out being in it!
Bingo
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Hang out and have some fun playing bingo with everyone. Bingo books and prizes will be available for those that want to play!
Sunday, October 9
Sunday Farewell
- Thanks for joining us!
Expo Vendors
Do you sell an adaptive product for little people or is there something else that you sell that may be of interest to our LPA community?! There’s space available if you would like to participate in the Expo! For more information or to sign up please email lpadistrict4@gmail.com.
LPA Registration Information
Registration Fees: Per Household Address
Early Registration - Before September 22
LPA Member: Single $30, Couple $50, Family $80
Late/Onsite Registration - After September 23
LPA Member: Single $45, Couple $65, Family $95
Additional Guests - $15 each before September 22 and $20 each after September 23.
'Guests' are relatives or friends not living in the same household address. They are subject to a guest fee when attending regional events with an LPA registration. Ages 3 and under - Free.
How to complete your registration:
1. Register Online & Pay via PayPal - Click on the button below to fill out the online registration form. Then make your payment using the PayPal Donate button below. Enter your total registration and event fees amount. **Please put 'Fall Regional' and the last name your registration is listed under in the PayPal notes section before submitting your payment.**
2. Register Online & Pay with a Check - Click on the button below to fill out the online registration form. Then email lpadistrict4@gmail.com for the mailing address of where to mail your check to. **Please put 'Fall Regional' and the last name your registration is listed under on your check. Make checks payable to: LPA District 4 **
LPA Members - Register your HOH (Head Of Household) first. The HOH is the person the LPA membership is listed under. Ex: The person that the LPA Today magazine and the National Conference Registration Booklet is addressed to. Then add additional household members or guests.
Non Members or Inactive/Expired Memberships - If you are not a current paid LPA member or if your LPA membership has gone inactive and is expired please contact the LPA National office to ‘Join or Renew’ before you register for the regional. For more information you can visit the LPA National website, send an email to info@lpaonline.org or call the LPA National office at 714-368-3689. All regional registrations will be checked on the LPA National membership database.
REFUNDS - A full refund of regional registration and event fees will be granted before October 13. All requests for refunds must be made in writing to lpadistrict4@gmail.com. Requests received after October 13 will be on a case by case basis. There will be no onsite refunds. Those who do not cancel prior to October 13 and do not attend the regional are still responsible for the full registration and event fees.
Volunteers
Planning and hosting an event like this requires a lot of work beforehand and throughout the weekend itself. This has all been put together by volunteer LPA Officers. In order to make it a success, we ask our members and guests attending to be mindful of this. Remember, there are always opportunities for you to support and give back to our LPA community!
Volunteers are always needed and appreciated! If you would like to help out at the regional, you can sign up on the registration form to assist in any area(s) that may be of interest. Thank you!!
View the LPA District 4 COVID-19 Liability Waiver
& LPA Member Code of Conduct here...
Click the PayPal 'Donate' button here to make your registration payment.
**District General Assembly Meeting on Zoom**
Saturday, October 8th 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM EST
LPA Members can connect to the district meeting on your computer, tablet or mobile device using Zoom. For more information about Zoom visit the links below.
Zoom Website
Zoom FAQS
To register for the meeting click the button below and fill out the Zoom registration form. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom login information for the meeting.
Zoom Website
Zoom FAQS
To register for the meeting click the button below and fill out the Zoom registration form. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom login information for the meeting.