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Eos Connection 2026
APFED's Annual Patient Education Conference for Eosinophil-Associated Diseases
Register for Eos Connection 2026
APFED's annual patient education conference is a hybrid event. In 2026, it will include live events at the Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center from July 9-11, as well as virtual sessions on July 12.
Registration includes access to our pre-conference webinar (details to be announced), main conference (July 9-12), and 25th Anniversary Celebration (July 10).
Registration options
- Virtual attendees: $0
- Onsite conference: $75 per person
What to Expect
This hybrid event featured live events at the Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center, with select sessions streamed online for virtual participants.
Review conference code of conduct.
Everyone who registers for the conference can:
Learn about eosinophil-associated diseases and practical strategies from experts
Explore new research in our virtual Poster Hall
Learn about resources, products, and services in the virtual Exhibit Hall
Access session recordings on-demand for six months following the live events
Conference Agenda
Pre-Conference Webinar
Join us for an insightful pre-conference webinar with Kathy Peterson, MD, MS, a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. She will explore how common coping strategies for EoE can both relieve symptoms and unintentionally mask disease, delaying proper care. This session will help patients recognize when it’s time to move beyond adapting and toward effective, evidence-based management. A Q&A will follow the presentation.
Registration for the conference includes this webinar.
This webinar is independently supported by Sanofi and Regeneron.
Youth Program
We offer special youth programming to help children and teens learn about the conditions they are impacted by (either as a patient or family member), and connect with other youth.
Ages 4-10 must be accompanied by a chaperone.
25th Anniversary Celebration
Join us as we celebrate APFED's 25th Anniversary with an evening of fun, connection, and impact! Enjoy an allergy-friendly buffet, play a lively game of BINGO — one complimentary card included for our celebratory round, plus 5 complimentary cards for rounds that follow — and explore our Silent Auction featuring exciting items. Auction items will be showcased during the event, with bidding opening on Thursday and winners announced on Friday evening. Proceeds from the Silent Auction will support APFED's Hope on the Horizon Research Grant Program.
We're seeking donated items for the silent auction. Whether you have connections with local businesses, can contribute items yourself, or know someone who can help, your support will directly benefit APFED's HOPE on the Horizon Research Program. If you can help, please email fundraise@apfed.org.
Speakers
We look forward to having clinicians, scientists, patients, and caregivers present at this year's conference. Confirmed speakers for Eos Connection 2026, include:
Dan Atkins
Children's Hospital Colorado
Maureen Bauer
Children's Hospital Colorado
Rebecca Doidge
Children's Hospital Colorado
Julie Dunn, PhD
University of Colorado Anschutz
Glenn Furuta
Children's Hospital Colorado
Pia Hauk
Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Anschutz
Allison Hicks
Children's Hospital Colorado
Nicholas Hogan, MD
University of California at San Diego
Jordon Koplon
Children's Hospital Colorado
Calies Menard-Katcher
Children's Hospital Colorado
Nathalie Nguyen
University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado
Kathy Peterson
Gastroenterologist, Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida
Kathryn Peterson, MD, MS, is a Senior Associate Consultant and gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Peterson specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the digestive system including Eosinophilic Esophagitis, Barrett’s Esophagus, and inflammatory bowel disease. She completed her medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern, followed by residency and a fellowship at the University of Utah and a master's program in Epidemiology at Harvard University.
Laura Quinn
Children’s Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado School of Medicine
Jane Robinson
Children's Hospital Colorado
Tetsuo Shoda
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Stephanie Skirka
Children's Hospital Colorado
Lisa Spencer
University of Colorado Anschutz
Mary Jo Strobel
Executive Director, APFED
Taryn Van Brennan
Children's Hospital Colorado
Terry Wilcox
Co-Founder and Chief Patient Advocate, Patients Rising
Terry Wilcox is the co-founder and Chief Mission Officer of Patients Rising, a national organization advancing patient-centered healthcare policy through education, advocacy, and accountability. She leads policy strategy, public engagement, and thought leadership focused on access, affordability, transparency, and innovation. Terry is a widely published healthcare commentator and a frequent moderator of policy discussions bringing together patients, policymakers, and healthcare leaders.
Lea Fowler
ERSIA Advocacy
Interested in sharing your experiences as a panelist at the conference? Complete this volunteer interest form.
Travel Details
Hotel
Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center
13200 East 14th Place, Aurora, CO 80011
Discounted room rate: $175.00 plus taxes
Discounted reservation deadline: Tuesday, June 16
Check-in: 3:00 PM
Check-out: 12:00 PM
Note: Rooms with a King bed also have a sleeper sofa. If you would prefer a room with 2 Queen beds, after reserving your room, please complete this interest form.
5/20/26 Update: A limited number of additional rooms have been added to our hotel room block. If you see no availability through this booking link, the conference room block has sold out and you may wish to contact the hotel directly to inquire about reservation availability.
Transportation
Denver International Airport: 15 miles/20 minutes
Travel Grants
APFED will award a limited number of travel grants of up to $1,000 USD, which may be applied to travel expenses (e.g., hotel, transportation, mileage, meal, and/or childcare costs) to attend APFED's EOS Connection Patient Education Conference onsite July 9-12, 2026 in Denver, CO. Recipients will also have conference registration fees waived for themselves and immediate family members who are attending the conference with them.
5/26/26: Travel grant applications are now closed. We are in the process of notifying grant recipients.
Research Posters
We are now accepting research abstracts for our virtual poster hall. Abstracts are due by Friday, May 15. If accepted, posters and videos are due by Friday, May 29.
FAQS
Wear what is comfortable for you! The conference rooms may be a little cool, so you may want to bring a sweater.
Children under age 11 are not permitted in the conference ballroom where the main sessions are being held.
All children ages 4-10 must be accompanied at all times by an adult or chaperone who is at least age 15. Select activities will be available for ages 4-10 who register for the conference. Chaperones do not need to register for the conference unless they are planning to attend general sessions and/or access event meals.
Conference programming is not suitable for children under age 4.
We are planning a program with activities that are appropriate for children in middle and high school. These will be clearly listed on the final agenda.
APFED does not provide childcare services, but as a courtesy, can provide information upon request about local childcare services available.
Companions do not need to register for the conference unless they are planning to attend general sessions and/or access event meals.
The conference is open to anyone wishing to learn more about EGIDs. Healthcare providers, allied healthcare professionals, and others interested in EGIDs will find the sessions beneficial. CME/CEU credits are not offered, however, we will produce a certificate of participation, if requested.
Onsite conference registration includes five (5) meals. All meals will be served buffet-style and include allergy-friendly options, with ingredients labeled. Meals will include breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Friday and breakfast and lunch on Saturday.
If companions would like to access event meals, please register them for the conference.
Meals will be served buffet-style and include allergy-friendly options, with ingredients labeled.
APFED works with the catering staff to educate them on how to avoid cross-contact and provides recommendtions for ingredient substitution and specialty foods. We work to ensure that catering staff labels all ingredients carefully, and that buffet items are separated with designated serving utensils. Please be cautious, read all food labels, and be aware that some foods may contain ingredients that you should avoid.
To accommodate conference attendees with formula or other dietary needs, we will provide a Hospitality Suite for food storage and preparation. The suite includes a refrigerator and freezer, microwave, sink, dish soap, paper towels, and disposable tableware. This room will be staffed and open during the posted hours, Thursday-Saturday. Conference attendees can gain access to this suite outside of the posted hours. More information will be provided onsite at check-in.
Yes! Our conferences are a success thanks to the generosity of our volunteers. We often have tasks leading up to the conference, and onsite at the conference during that weekend. To add your name to our volunteer list, please contact conference@apfed.org. We may not have something to assign you right away, but we will keep your contact information handy. Please note that we cannot waive conference fees for volunteers.
A limited number of travel grants are available on a first-come, first-serve basis to eligible applicants. Learn more and apply.
If you would like to attend onsite but the registration fee poses a hardship, please email conference@apfed.org stating your need and a request for waived conference registration.
Cancellations must be received in writing mail@apfed.org by 5 p.m. ET on June 18, 2026. to receive a full refund of registration fees. After that time, no refunds will be issued. We will ship conference materials and email a link to recorded sessions to paid registrants who are unable to attend. Hotel cancellations must be made separately. Charges may be incurred if reservations are not canceled.
Education Partners
Thank you to the following organizations for supporting Eos Connection 2026.
If you are interested in sponsoring APFED's annual patient education conference, please contact mjstrobel@apfed.org.
Collaborating Education Partners
Presenting Education Partners
Diamond Education Partners
Platinum Education Partners
Silver Education Partners
Mead Johnson Nutrition