We are excited that this year's Sturge-Weber Conference is being hosted in our hometown of Cincinnati, otherwise known as the "Queen City", or the "City Built Upon Seven Hills". Of course many cities boast of being the Queen City, but Cincinnati is the original, though perhaps better known as the home of Skyline Chile, Graeter's Ice Cream, King's Island and the Cincinnati Reds! Nestled along the Ohio River, we believe that you will be pleased with what the city has has to offer. But most importantly, we trust that for those of you who will be attending the conference for the very first time as well as for those who are returning, you will find the time spent away from home rejuvenating. Whether you are reuniting with those whom you have already forged lasting bonds, or meeting new friends, families and a new network of support, the conference offers leading edge information, encouragement, and inspiration.

Our first child, Ryan is twenty years old and was born with Sturge-Weber Syndrome. As new parents, we were faced with a medical condition that we found overwhelming and frightening. At the time, our primary resource was the burgeoning internet which was a source of knowledge but not a source of hope. Some of our doctors were unfamiliar with Sturge-Weber and we were experiencing dark days of feeling overwhelmed and isolated. 

It is hard to believe that close to twenty years ago we went to the Sturge-Weber conference for the first time in Las Vegas. I will always remember walking into the conference. Up to that point we had limited information and had never met anyone who had personal experience with Sturge-Weber. Feeling