LPA District 4 invites you to the 2022 Fall Regional in Gainesville, Florida! Join us at the Drury Inn & Suites, a great venue in northern FL for a fun weekend while also celebrating Dwarfism Awareness Month together. Home to the University of Florida, the hotel is within close proximity to downtown Gainesville with plenty of shopping and dining at Celebration Point or the Shops at Butler. There are a host of local attractions nearby like the Florida Museum of Natural History, Butterfly Rainforest, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium(home of the Florida Gators) and Kanapaha Botanical Gardens.
Check out what the area has to offer!
Visit Gainesville
Best Things to Do in Gainesville
Celebration Pointe
Shops at Butler
Florida Museum of Natural History
Butterfly Rainforest
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
A few important things to know before you register:
• Per the LPA Policy Manual, you must be a current paid member to attend the regional. ‘Join or Renew’ with LPA - Click here!
• Hotel reservation cut off date is September 16!
• LPA Early Registration deadline is September 16!
• If you live local... You can register and join us for all the activities without staying at the hotel.
• All registration fees are non-refundable after October 1. See the Refund & Cancellation Policy.
• Review and agree to sign the LPA Covid Liability Waiver & Member Code of Conduct Agreements. Click here...
If you have any questions or need assistance please reach out to lpadistrict4@gmail.com. We hope to see you in October!
Aimee Rudd
District 4 Director
Check out what the area has to offer!
Visit Gainesville
Best Things to Do in Gainesville
Celebration Pointe
Shops at Butler
Florida Museum of Natural History
Butterfly Rainforest
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
A few important things to know before you register:
• Per the LPA Policy Manual, you must be a current paid member to attend the regional. ‘Join or Renew’ with LPA - Click here!
• Hotel reservation cut off date is September 16!
• LPA Early Registration deadline is September 16!
• If you live local... You can register and join us for all the activities without staying at the hotel.
• All registration fees are non-refundable after October 1. See the Refund & Cancellation Policy.
• Review and agree to sign the LPA Covid Liability Waiver & Member Code of Conduct Agreements. Click here...
If you have any questions or need assistance please reach out to lpadistrict4@gmail.com. We hope to see you in October!
Aimee Rudd
District 4 Director
Hotel
Drury Inn & Suites
4000 SW 40th Boulevard
Gainesville, FL 32608
352-372-5600
Drury Inn & Suites Website
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. *Limited number of Suites available in the room block.
Check-In/Out Times:
Check-In is 3:00 PM. Check-Out is 11:00 AM.
Room Cancellation Policy: You need to cancel your reservation before 12:00 PM EST on the scheduled arrival date. Cancelling after this deadline will result in a charge of one nights stay plus taxes.
Hotel Amenities:
- Free Hot Breakfast
- Free Popcorn & Soft Drinks from 4:00-8:00 PM.
- Free 5:30 Kickback from 5:30-7:00 PM. Breakfast & 5:30 Kickback menu here!
- Free Parking & Wi-Fi Internet
- Outdoor Pool and Whirlpool
Room Reservations: Call 800-325-0720 and ask for the Little People of America group #2446987 or book online. Reservation cut off date is September 16!
Regional Agenda
*Schedule is tentative & subject to change.
Friday, October 7
Activities (On Your Own)
LPA Registration
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM & 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
- Pick up your name badges and welcome bag at the registration table in the main ballroom.
5:30 Kickback or Dinner Offsite (On Your Own)
Sweets & Treats Welcome Social
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Let’s kick off the weekend together in a sweet way! Catch up with LPA friends, meet new ones and indulge your sweet tooth on tasty desserts. Join us for an evening of mingling, games and a kids movie corner! Snacks and beverages will be provided.
Saturday, October 8
LPA Registration
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Pick up your name badges and welcome bag at the registration table in the main ballroom.
Kids Room - Ages 3-10 yrs.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: $5 per child
- Children are invited to enjoy crafts, games and snacks. Kids will be monitored by volunteers. Parents must remain in the hotel and kids must be potty trained. Ages 3 and under are welcome with parent supervision.
Tween & Teen Activity
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Meet up and hang out with others in our district for a hotel scavenger hunt and games.
Parent Meeting
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- Come meet other parents, ask questions and share experiences. Topics will range from newborn to high school aged LP kids.
District General Meeting
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Meet the D4 District/Chapter officers and find out what's happening at the chapter, district, and national levels of LPA.
Medical Workshop
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Q&A discussion lead by dwarfism specialists.
Dr. George Jallo - Neurosurgeon *LPA MAB Member*
Dr. Alyssa Fritz - Psychologist
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
St. Petersburg, Florida
Lunch & Local Activities Offsite (On Your Own)
Medical Meetings
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Visit one on one with Dr. Jallo during this time. Sign up for a 15 minute time slot down below.
Road to the Games with Morgan Ray
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
- Meet Para Swimmer for Team USA and D4 member, Morgan Ray, who recently won a silver medal at the 2022 World Championships. Morgan will share his story and experiences as an elite athlete with dwarfism and his goal of making the 2024 team in Paris. The second half of this workshop will be outside in the pool where Morgan will demonstrate techniques and strokes in the water. All are welcome to either observe or join in during the pool session. Parents must be present with their kids if they want to participate in the pool.
10 Steps to Effective Advocacy
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
- Meet long time D4 member and Author, Angela Muir Van Etten, to hear what it takes for little people to achieve greater respect and independence. Get the lowdown on LPA advocacy successes and discuss further what barriers remain to be toppled. In addition, one workshop attendee will receive a signed copy of Angela‘s latest book, Always an Advocate. All of her books will be discounted and available for purchase at the regional.
Boccia Ball & Corn Hole
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Hang out and play games with others.
Painting Class
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Cost: $5 per person - Ages 10 & older
- Tap into your inner Picasso! Join Heidi Elpers as she guides participants on how to paint their own “Sunset at the Beach” masterpiece. Materials will be provided. Seating is limited. *Only a few seats left!*
5:30 Kickback or Dinner Offsite (On Your Own)
Expo
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Check out the vendors set up in the ballroom.
Mix & Mingle, Group Photo and Bingo
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Come hang out or grab a bingo dauber for a fun night of bingo plus a few other surprises! Our group photo will be taken around 7:30 and bingo will be from 8:00-9:00 for those that want to play. Light snacks and beverages will be provided.
Sunday, October 9
Sunday Farewell
- Thanks for joining us!
*More activities may be added to the agenda as details become available.
Activities (On Your Own)
LPA Registration
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM & 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
- Pick up your name badges and welcome bag at the registration table in the main ballroom.
5:30 Kickback or Dinner Offsite (On Your Own)
Sweets & Treats Welcome Social
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Let’s kick off the weekend together in a sweet way! Catch up with LPA friends, meet new ones and indulge your sweet tooth on tasty desserts. Join us for an evening of mingling, games and a kids movie corner! Snacks and beverages will be provided.
Saturday, October 8
LPA Registration
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Pick up your name badges and welcome bag at the registration table in the main ballroom.
Kids Room - Ages 3-10 yrs.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: $5 per child
- Children are invited to enjoy crafts, games and snacks. Kids will be monitored by volunteers. Parents must remain in the hotel and kids must be potty trained. Ages 3 and under are welcome with parent supervision.
Tween & Teen Activity
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Meet up and hang out with others in our district for a hotel scavenger hunt and games.
Parent Meeting
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- Come meet other parents, ask questions and share experiences. Topics will range from newborn to high school aged LP kids.
District General Meeting
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Meet the D4 District/Chapter officers and find out what's happening at the chapter, district, and national levels of LPA.
Medical Workshop
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Q&A discussion lead by dwarfism specialists.
Dr. George Jallo - Neurosurgeon *LPA MAB Member*
Dr. Alyssa Fritz - Psychologist
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
St. Petersburg, Florida
Lunch & Local Activities Offsite (On Your Own)
Medical Meetings
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Visit one on one with Dr. Jallo during this time. Sign up for a 15 minute time slot down below.
Road to the Games with Morgan Ray
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
- Meet Para Swimmer for Team USA and D4 member, Morgan Ray, who recently won a silver medal at the 2022 World Championships. Morgan will share his story and experiences as an elite athlete with dwarfism and his goal of making the 2024 team in Paris. The second half of this workshop will be outside in the pool where Morgan will demonstrate techniques and strokes in the water. All are welcome to either observe or join in during the pool session. Parents must be present with their kids if they want to participate in the pool.
10 Steps to Effective Advocacy
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
- Meet long time D4 member and Author, Angela Muir Van Etten, to hear what it takes for little people to achieve greater respect and independence. Get the lowdown on LPA advocacy successes and discuss further what barriers remain to be toppled. In addition, one workshop attendee will receive a signed copy of Angela‘s latest book, Always an Advocate. All of her books will be discounted and available for purchase at the regional.
Boccia Ball & Corn Hole
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Hang out and play games with others.
Painting Class
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Cost: $5 per person - Ages 10 & older
- Tap into your inner Picasso! Join Heidi Elpers as she guides participants on how to paint their own “Sunset at the Beach” masterpiece. Materials will be provided. Seating is limited. *Only a few seats left!*
5:30 Kickback or Dinner Offsite (On Your Own)
Expo
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Check out the vendors set up in the ballroom.
Mix & Mingle, Group Photo and Bingo
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Come hang out or grab a bingo dauber for a fun night of bingo plus a few other surprises! Our group photo will be taken around 7:30 and bingo will be from 8:00-9:00 for those that want to play. Light snacks and beverages will be provided.
Sunday, October 9
Sunday Farewell
- Thanks for joining us!
*More activities may be added to the agenda as details become available.
Clothing Swap Table
We will have an informal clothing swap table in the ballroom on Friday and Saturday. If you have any adult or kids clothes that have been shortened/altered that’s no longer of use to you… Feel free to bring those items to pass on to others who may be able to use them. Shoes are also welcome, too. Please only bring clothes or shoes that are in good condition and items that have been altered for LP.
Presenters & Expo Vendors
Is there an idea you want to see on the agenda or want to share something with everyone? Would you like to lead an activity or host a workshop? Topics can be - health, fitness, sewing, teaching or something else. Do you sell a product or something that may be of interest to our LPA community and want to participate in the Expo? For more information or to apply to be a presenter or expo vendor please email - lpadistrict4@gmail.com.
Sponsorships
We are looking for sponsors and donations to help us offset some of the regional costs! Sponsorship opportunities are available! If you are interested in supporting our efforts and for more information please email - lpadistrict4@gmail.com.
Volunteers
We need your help to make this event a success, volunteers are always needed and appreciated! Volunteering at the regional is a great way to meet new people and engage in the organization. There are many opportunities to support and give back to our LPA community. If you would like to help out, please sign up on the volunteer form down below to assist in any area(s) that may be of interest. Thank you!
LPA Member Registration Fees
Guests - friends, relatives or anyone else NOT living in the same household address. They are each subject to a guest fee when attending the regional with an LPA registration. Ages 3 and under are free.
Non LPA Members or Inactive/Expired Memberships - Please contact LPA National to ‘Join or Renew’ your membership BEFORE filling out the registration form. Visit the LPA National website, email info@lpaonline.org or call 714-368-3689. All registrations will be checked on the LPA membership database.
Non LPA Members or Inactive/Expired Memberships - Please contact LPA National to ‘Join or Renew’ your membership BEFORE filling out the registration form. Visit the LPA National website, email info@lpaonline.org or call 714-368-3689. All registrations will be checked on the LPA membership database.
Refund & Cancellation Policy
All registration and activity fees are non-refundable after October 1. Any requests for refunds must be sent in writing to lpadistrict4@gmail.com before this date. Refunds will be granted for all requests received on or before the deadline - minus a $20.00 processing fee. Requests made after this date may not be honored. Emergencies and illnesses, including Covid, will be on a case by case basis. There are no onsite refunds. Those who do not cancel before the deadline and/or do not attend the regional, forfeit all registration and activity fees.
Don’t forget to review the LPA Covid Liability Waiver & Member Code of Conduct! Click here...
- STEPS FOR REGISTRATION -
1. REGISTER FOR THE REGIONAL
2. BOOK HOTEL ROOM
Reservation cut off date is September 16!
3. MEDICAL MEETINGS
All appts have been filled. If you were not able to get an appt please email - lpadistrict4@gmail.com.
4. VOLUNTEER TO HELP
If you have any questions or need assistance please email - lpadistrict4@gmail.com.