By Cheryl Ory, UOAA President and Conference Chair

Attending UOAA’s 9th National Conference can be transforming for so many new ostomates. Knowing they are not alone can make a positive impact in their new world of living with an ostomy or continent diversion. It’s also a great way for previous attendees to reconnect to those they’ve met and found friendship with over the years while continuing to gain knowledge.

You’re invited to join us on August 14-16, 2025, for UOAA’s 9th National Conference at the lovely Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando, Florida.

We know how important it is for the ostomy community to come together, share life experiences, learn valuable information from experts in the field, and talk to vendors about their products and services. Our attendees can also consult with a WOC Nurse, maybe for the first time in years. And let’s not forget the social events that are a must at every conference. Making time for you to network, laugh and enjoy each other’s company is also one of our goals, which this year includes celebrating UOAA’s 20th Anniversary of supporting the community!

A Program with Something for Everyone

Our 2025 conference educational program schedule will not only focus on the physical aspects of having an ostomy or continent diversion, but the emotional and mental health challenges that many may experience as well. We’ve lined up a number of inspirational speakers who will cover the psychological needs of an ostomate both pre and post-op; envisioning life with an ostomy; overcoming PTSD, and how new ostomates can find their way forward with an ostomy. Diet and nutrition, health, fitness and active living, sexuality and intimacy, body image and wardrobe tips will also be discussed by fellow ostomates and experts in the field. And these are just a few of the sessions that you can choose from throughout the conference!

On Thursday afternoon and Friday morning our Exhibit Hall will be open, a must for the entire ostomy community!

Our keynote speaker is a secret right now, but you won’t be disappointed when they appear on stage at our opening ceremony on Thursday morning. So make sure to join us as we come together to welcome the ostomy community to this unique event.

First-time attendees will be welcomed with an orientation session and surgery-specific basic sessions offered on Thursday. You’ll not only learn about your type of ostomy, but you’ll also have the opportunity to meet and chat with ‘ostomy buddies’, fellow ostomates who have attended before. They’ll be happy to show you the ropes to ensure you have the best conference experience. 

There will also be three special sessions designed for our Affiliated Support Group (ASG) Leaders as well as an educational track and open discussions addressing the needs of the younger population of ostomates in attendance. We are also offering 4 sessions for medical professionals, which will also be eligible for CE credits. And let’s not forget caregivers; where would our community be without them? On Friday morning they will have the opportunity to attend sessions with fellow caregivers, as well as a mental health professional who will discuss coping with the stress of being a caregiver.

You’ll not only learn about your type of ostomy, but you’ll also have the opportunity to meet and chat with ‘ostomy buddies’, fellow ostomates who have attended before.

On Thursday afternoon and Friday morning our Exhibit Hall will be open, a must for the entire ostomy community! We anticipate over 40 vendors will be there to visit with you and share any new products they are offering, services they provide, clothing and accessories available in today’s market, and much more. We’ll be serving a complimentary boxed lunch on Friday before the Exhibit Hall closes at 1pm for you to enjoy.

You can also schedule a 1-hour consultation with a WOC Nurse at our Free Stoma Clinic through our Mobile App. Appointments are available all day Thursday and Friday and Saturday morning (Clinic will close at Noon).

Speaking of our Mobile App, you’ll receive an email to download the App, sign into our unique event, and set up your profile about 2 weeks before the Conference. You can view the schedule and bios of our speakers, check out the exhibitors and where they are located in the Exhibit Hall, connect with “ostomy buddies” and network with fellow attendees, join a Focus Group with one of our Sponsors and more.

Fun Social Events

Explore Orlando and enjoy dinner out on Thursday night, and then stop by the President’s Reception to meet our co-founder, Ken Aukett, myself, our new President Elect, Bob Baker, as well as UOAA’s Staff and Board of Directors. Enjoy a yummy dessert and beverage as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary with a special toast that evening.

On Friday, before heading to dinner, you are invited to a special UOAA fundraising event, a “Hole in One Golf Putting Contest”. Enjoy a cold glass of lemonade, visit with new and old friends, and try your hand at putting! Who knows, you may get lucky and win the prize, all while raising money to help support UOAA’s programs and services. If you’re not up to going out on Friday night, we are also planning an indoor activity to be announced soon. 

As we wrap up the Conference, Saturday night will not disappoint with our “Mad Hatter Ball”. You’ll enjoy a few scrumptious treats and there will be a cash bar for cold drinks, as well as coffee and tea served. Think about wearing a themed costume or fun hat to the event, and dance the night away to the DJ we have lined up! What a great way to say goodbye to those you’ve just met, and to someone who may now be a forever friend. 

Make it a Vacation with Family or Friends

What a great opportunity to meet fellow ostomates in-person that you’ve only met online while you attend UOAA’s 9th National Conference. Stay a few days earlier or after the conference and enjoy what the Resort has to offer with family and/or friends.

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort is a family-friendly resort on a lake with water sports and features a fabulous lagoon style pool with a water slide, (I can picture myself lounging in one of those cabanas after all our hard work to put on this conference is done) A shuttle bus is available to area theme parks and it is within a 5-minute drive of Disney Springs™ and shopping. There are also 3 on-site restaurants as well as a grab and go market.

Golfers can enjoy proximity to two, 18-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses.

UOAA has made arrangements with the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort to provide the same Guest Room Rate, $149 per night plus taxes, for single through quadruple occupancy, starting on Tuesday, August 12th, through Monday, August 18th. Make a reservation at the special UOAA Link or call and Provide code “MB18” and the Resort Fee is waived for our group, a $49 per room per day savings!

Stay a few days earlier or after the conference and enjoy what the Resort has to offer…

Register Today!

Register by May 31st to attend at the ‘Early Bird’ rate, a $30 savings! You can also make your reservations at the Resort all in one place – www.ostomy.org/conference2025/. We will continue to update this webpage, including our Program Schedule, as it continues to come together. Please note some of the information shared in this article is subject to change, so please visit the webpage often leading up to the Conference.

We hope to see you in August as we explore this Whole New World!