Community registration is for people living with myotonic dystrophy (DM), caregivers, family members, and others in the DM community.
Join Us in Seattle, WA: April 29-May 2
MDF invites you to attend the 2027 MDF International Conference at the Hyatt Regency Seattle in Seattle, Washington.
Community members are invited to join us for a welcome reception on Thursday evening, April 29. Community sessions will be held on Friday, April 30, and Saturday, May 1, followed by optional workshops for community members on Sunday morning, May 2.
Professional Track programming begins one day earlier, on Wednesday, April 28. View Professional Track information and registration.
Join the DM community in Seattle for our most anticipated event of the year! This year’s program includes educational sessions exploring research, drug development, symptom management, and other critical topics for DM families, plus opportunities for formal and informal networking, wellness, and fun.
Register as a DM Community Member!
Registration Types and Fees
This page provides Community Track registration information for people living with DM, caregivers, family members, and other members of the DM community. Clinicians, researchers, students, industry representatives, and other DM professionals can view Professional Track information and registration here.
Community registration includes access to general sessions, Community Track sessions, meals, and other activities and services. Community registrants may also attend Professional Track sessions, however priority access to these sessions will be given to Professional Track registrants.
Community members who are unable to attend in-person are welcome you to join us virtually! Please note that not all sessions will be recorded or made available to virtual attendees.
We encourage all attendees to register early to take advantage of our discounted community registration rates:
- $175 – Early Bird Registration through December 31st
- $225 – Regular Registration through March 31st
- $275 – Late Registration through April 21st
- $50 – Child under 18 Registration
- $50 – Virtual-only Registration
Register as a DM Community Member!
Conference Registration does not include your hotel room. See the Hotel Room Block section below for information about staying at the Hyatt Regency Seattle and booking a room at MDF’s discounted rate.
Conference Venue
The DM community deserves a conference experience that is accessible, comfortable, and easy to navigate. After significant research, community feedback, and in-person site visits, MDF is excited to host the 2027 MDF International Conference at the Hyatt Regency Seattle.
Located in the heart of downtown Seattle, the Hyatt Regency Seattle offers convenient access to dining, public transportation, museums, markets, waterfront attractions, and family-friendly activities.
MDF prioritized a venue with features that will help make the conference more accessible, comfortable, and welcoming for the DM community:
- Multiple accessible room options for attendees with a range of mobility, comfort, and care needs.
- Convenient access to conference spaces from guest room floors through the hotel’s elevator banks.
- Family restrooms on each conference meeting floor.
- More rooms than ever before, allowing for expanded research sessions, quiet spaces, and alternative programming.
Financial Assistance
We want the 2027 MDF International Conference in Seattle to be accessible to as many members of our community as possible. MDF offers several levels of financial assistance to help people living with DM and their families participate, including dedicated assistance for juvenile-onset adults and individuals diagnosed with congenital myotonic dystrophy.
Choose the level of support that best fits your needs:
- Conference Registration: Receive free conference registration for you and one caregiver or loved one. Eligible registration types include Early Bird, Regular, Child Under 18, and Virtual Only.
- Conference Registration and Travel: Receive free registration for you and one caregiver or loved one, plus up to $750 in travel support per person ($1,000 international). Hotel accommodations are not included with this option.
- Conference Registration, Travel, and Hotel: Receive free registration for you and one caregiver or loved one, up to $750 in travel support per person ($1,000 international), and up to three nights of hotel accommodations.
Everyone is welcome to apply! Priority will be given to first-time conference attendees and those with the greatest financial need. Applicants who have attended multiple MDF conferences or previously received financial assistance from MDF may be asked to wait for a decision until all first-time applicants have been considered.
Download the full MDF Conference Financial Aid Policy.
Applications must be submitted by midnight on Friday, January 29, 2027.
Apply for Conference Financial Aid!
Have questions or need help with your application? Contact MDF Senior Manager of Community Education Emily Romney at emily.romney@myotonic.org or call 415-800-7777.
2027 Conference Program
Back by popular demand, our 2027 program will feature a Wellness Room, Movement Moments, Fireside Chats, Workshops, Networking Buddies, and Friday night entertainment. The 2027 MDF Conference will feature returning sessions and tracks, including:
- Welcome & State of the Foundation
- Industry Updates
- Stories of Inspiration & Awards
In addition to our general sessions, MDF is working to tailor educational sessions to different audiences within the DM community:
- DM1 – for people living with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 and their families.
- DM2 – for people living with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 2 and their families.
- CDM Families – for parents, guardians, and caregivers of people living with Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1.
- Caregivers - for caregivers and family members supporting someone living with any type of DM.
- Juvenile-onset Adults (JOA) – for juvenile-onset adults only. Parents and family members are invited to attend other Community Track sessions.
- Professional Track – for clinicians, researchers, industry representatives, and other DM professionals.
Register as a DM Community Member!
First time at an MDF Conference?
MDF offers a First Timers’ Tea for first-time attendees before breakfast Friday morning. MDF will partner interested first-time attendees with MDF Board members, Support Group Facilitators, and other longtime MDF Conference attendees to help make their first conference experience welcoming and successful.
Dining & Dietary Needs
During registration, you will be asked which days you plan to attend and about any dietary requirements. This information will help MDF and the Hyatt Regency Seattle accommodate dietary needs and prepare the appropriate amount of food. All in-person registrations include the following meals:
- Thursday Welcome Reception with hors d’oeuvres and beverages
- Friday breakfast
- Friday Networking Lunch
- Friday dinner and entertainment
- Saturday breakfast
- Saturday lunch
- Saturday Closing Dinner and Dance Party
- Sunday breakfast for workshop participants
- Some break-time snacks and coffee or tea
Conference Networking Buddies
Be the bridge between the DM Community and Research Professionals! The Conference Networking Buddies system pairs DM professionals, including researchers, clinicians, and industry partners, with people living with myotonic dystrophy, caregivers, their family members. MDF will provide assigned seating during Friday lunch so you can get to know your conference buddy! There will be additional opportunities to connect with your buddy during snack breaks, cocktail hours, or poster sessions throughout the conference.
Participation is optional. You can opt out during registration.
Sunday Morning Workshops
From 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Sunday morning, community attendees may request one-on-one appointments with experts in fields relevant to myotonic dystrophy.
- Genetic Counseling/Family Planning: Experts will help you understand genetic testing options, reproductive choices, and how myotonic dystrophy may be passed through families.
- Accessible and Adaptive Devices: Experts will offer individualized guidance on therapy techniques, exercises, adaptive strategies, and equipment that may support daily living, mobility, physical function, and quality of life.
- Insurance, Social Security & Medicare: Experts from the Patient Advocate Foundation will discuss navigating healthcare systems, managing medical expenses, and accessing necessary treatments.
Please note: Indicating your interest during registration does not guarantee an appointment. Appointments will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register as a DM Community Member!
Mobility Discount
MDF has secured an exclusive 10% discount on mobility device rentals from Cloud of Goods for conference attendees. Delivery and pickup services may also be available depending on the location and equipment selected.
Book online and use promo code COG10OFF at checkout. If you need assistance with booking, call 407-535-3103.
Hotel Room Block
MDF has secured a special discounted rate at the Hyatt Regency Seattle. Located in the heart of downtown, the hotel is close to restaurants, shopping, and many of Seattle’s best-known attractions, including the Pike Place Market and the Space Needle!
Discounted rooms for conference attendees start at $209 a night. Rooms are limited and not guaranteed until hotel confirms your reservation. Rooms must be booked before 3pm on April 7th!
Need an accessible room for your conference stay? Select the “Accessible Room” option when booking online or call Hyatt reservations at 1 (888) 591-1234.
Book your Hotel Room at the MDF Conference Rate!
Conference registrations does not reserve your hotel room.
Transportation
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), approximately 14 miles from the Hyatt Regency Seattle.
Travelers can reach the Hyatt Regency Seattle by taxi, ride-sharing apps, or public transportation. Attendees are responsible for arranging their own ground transportation to and from the airport and throughout the conference.
View 2027 MDF Conference Transportation Information.
Childcare
If you plan to use free childcare at the conference, please indicate your interest during registration or contact planner@myotonic.org by Friday, November 20th, 2026.
Registration Cancellation Policy
We understand that circumstances can change. MDF contracts for conference presenters, travel, and hotel services nine to twelve months in advance and adjusts those contracts based on registration numbers. We are therefore unable to process registration cancellations made after Monday, March 29, 2027.
Hotel room cancellations must be made directly with the hotel. To avoid being charged one night’s room rate and tax, you must cancel before 11:59 pm PT at least one day before arrival.
Questions?
If you have registration questions or need assistance with registration, please contact MDF at 415-800-7777 or info@myotonic.org.