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The well being of those with Down syndrome, their loved ones, and the network of people with whom they interact, will be the focus of “Home, Health and Future,” the 9th annual conference of the Eastern Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Center (EPDSC), at DeSales University on Saturday, April 17. The day-long sessions will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, April 17, in the DeSales University Center.
DeSales students in the Event Marketing class taught by Dr. Susan McGorry, associate professor of business, during the Spring 2010 semester, helped the EPDSC plan the event. The students will be in attendance at Saturday’s conference.
The cost of admission is $35 for members of the EPDSC and $40 for non-members. Registration is currently in progress. (Note: Registration information can be found at the end of this press release.)
The goal of the annual event is to provide parents, healthcare professionals, friends, and educators of those with Down syndrome with educational and social opportunities. This marks the third time the conference is being held at DeSales University. Last year, more than 150 people were in attendance.
As part of their class in Event Marketing, the DeSales students formed four teams that helped the EPDSC plan the event. Primarily, the students helped to promote the event and to increase attendance. Their assignments involved identifying the target audience and locating current contact information. They also worked with DeSales Conference Services to make the necessary arrangements regarding the venue, food, vendors and speakers, and also drafted a press release. Members of the DeSales Event Marketing class will be in attendance at the conference on Saturday, April 17.
According to Chelsey Armstrong ’11, communication major from Baltimore, Maryland, working on this project gave her new insight on the “behind-the-scenes” work that goes into planning such an event.
“In addition to making the necessary arrangements for room and food and promoting the event, it is important to keep within the budget,” said Armstrong. “This experience showed me there are ways for an event to be successful without having to spend extreme amounts of money. This is a great learning tool.”
Jacqueline Wendel ’10, a pharmaceutical marketing major with a minor in biology from Westfield, N.J., said she gained real life experience from working on this project and also a great sense of satisfaction from helping a non-profit organization with such a worthwhile event.
“This was a great learning experience on so many different levels, and I feel very proud of the work we did,” said Wendel. “I hope my career path includes event marketing and planning because they add so much to a job.”
The EPDSC is dedicated to the physical and mental well-being of all persons with Down syndrome and their families. The center was founded on the premise that all people, including those with Down syndrome, are entitled to proper medical care, inclusion in their home, schools, and communities, and an opportunity to lead full and productive lives.
Sessions offered during the day-long conference include Celebration of Life with Down Syndrome, Travel and Independence Safety, Early Intervention, Siblings with Down Syndrome, Sexuality and Personal Safety, The Transition to Adult Life, and Down syndrome Research.
Also, the program will offer presentations by keynote speakers, Dr. Brian Skotko, of Children’s Hospital in Boston, and Dan Kulp, who has four siblings with Down syndrome and two children of his own with Down syndrome.
In addition, an all-day, self-advocate program is available for individuals with Down syndrome (high school age and up).
Eastern Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Center
610-402-0184 or register online at www.EPDSC.net.
EPDSC
P.O. Box 60, 6900
Hamilton Boulevard
Trexlertown, Pa. 18087
Press Release: Home, Health and Future, Focus of 9th Annual Conference of Eastern Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Center, Sat., April 17, at DeSales | Posted on: 4/15/2010
For more info:
Tom McNamara, Executive Director of Communications
DeSales University | 2255 Station Avenue | Center Valley, PA 18034
610.282.1100 x1219 | Tom.McNamara@desales.edu |
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