The conference will be held at the Hotel Fattoria La Principina which extends over one hundred hectares in the heart of the Maremma in Tuscany, between the beaches at Principina and Castiglione della Pescaia and the hills of the Parco Naturale della Maremma (Maremma Natural Park).

The basis for the hotel was an old rustic building on a farm, which is 5km from the city of Grosseto. The beaches are only a few kilometres away and the surrounding area is rich with cultural and historic points of interest (Etrusco-Roman towns, Vetulonia and Popuolnia, Medieval and Renaissance towns Massa Marittima, Pitigliano, Sovana, Montalcino). Cities of arts are little more than an hour’s drive away (Siena is 65km, Florence 130 km and Rome 180km).

“There were a lot of us who went to Australia and we all had a brilliant time,” said Trustee Steve Penney. “I think there will be a lot more coming to Italy.”

Transfers from the airports to the venue could be organised if there are enough people attending.

The Conference will be divided into the Professionals’ Conference on June 16th to June 17th (half a day) and Family Conference (June 17th to June 19th). The Conference for Professionals (medical doctors, therapists, professional caregivers and alike) will be organised by the Mariani Foundation together with the Italian Scientific Director, Dr A ngelo Selicorni. There will be general sessions as well as workshops.

Organisation

There will be simultaneous translations of the sessions in English and Italian. The Family Conference will be organised with a general session, workshops and roundtable discussions. Details about speakers and programme will follow in due course.

The families will have the opportunity for individual doctor consultation and it is hoped that most of the specialists from the worldwide Scientific Advisory Council will attend. There will also be a childcare program for children with/without CdLS; and outings for older children.

There will be more information on costs soon but make a note of the dates and please let Alan Peaford know if you want more information as it comes in. We would like to get an idea of the possible attendance.

Professionals can visit the website of the Mariani Foundation (Fondazione Mariani) www.fondazione-mariani.org to find information regarding the professional portion of the conference.