We are stronger
together

The Barth Syndrome Foundation's
2026 International Scientific, Medical, and Family Conference
July 19 - July 26, 2026 • Bonita Springs, Florida

About Conference

The Barth Syndrome Foundation’s International Scientific, Medical, and Family Conference is the largest gathering of the global Barth syndrome community. Every two years, our conference welcomes affected individuals, caregivers, researchers, clinicians, and healthcare leaders together in one place at one time. It is proof that we are stronger together.

About The Barth Syndrome Foundation

We Welcome Everyone

Conference is special because it brings together a range of people who might not normally meet.

Families

Barth families are at the heart of everything we do. A major focus of the conference is to build meaningful connections among affected individuals, caregivers, and family members.

Scientists and Researchers

Following the first-ever drug approval for Barth syndrome, this year's research track explores translating breakthroughs into therapies—from novel drug development approaches to regulatory pathways.

Clinicians

Learn about the latest advances in Barth syndrome care management across cardiology, metabolism, hematology, and interventional therapies. Connect with multidisciplinary experts and hear directly from patients to improve health outcomes.

Healthcare leaders and other professionals

Gain insights into rare disease drug development, patient experience, regulatory pathways, and clinical trial design. Network with key opinion leaders, researchers, and patient advocates driving innovation in ultra-rare disease therapeutics.

Resources for Attendees

Download the Conference app

You can download our Conference app on your phone or visit the browser version to manage your schedule, access resources, receive push notifications during the event, or get help with your questions. 

Register for sessions and view the agenda

You can view the agenda and register for sessions by downloading our Conference app on your phone or visiting the browser version.

View the program

At Conference, you will recieve a print program. You can find the electronic version here. Please note that scheduling often changes — always refer to the app for the most updated information. 

See an overview of Conference and find answers to commons questions 

There are a few ways to understand what’s happening and when! You can download the app, check out they FAQs below, view the print program, watch the recording of our informational session here, or access our Conference overview slides here.

Read the Code of Conduct

We expect kindness and respect from all our attendees. Please review the Code of Conduct here. 

Fill out enrollment forms for children attending Camp Barth

You can download the following resources related to enrolling your child in Camp Barth. Please send completed forms to Shelley Bowen. To add your signature electronically, you can use a free program like Adobe Sign

Buy swag! 

Show up in style with BSF and  Conference swag. 

Location Resources

Hotel Address

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa

5001 Coconut Road

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

United States

Nearest Airport

The closest airport is Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), approximately a 25-minute drive to the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa. For more details on transportation to the venue, visit the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa website.

Ground Transportation To and From the Airport

Uber and Lyft are both available in the area. The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point is in Zone 3 for airport taxi. Additional transportation options may be found on the Southwest Florida International Airport’s Transportation Page.

Letter of Invitation

Please contact us if you require a letter of invitation to the meeting. Please note that letters are only provided for non-North American guests who have already registered for the conference.

Nearby Pharmacies

CVS Pharmacy 24800 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs (3 miles from hotel)
Walgreens Pharmacy 25091 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs (3.5 miles from hotel)

Nearby Hospitals

NHC Bonita Springs Emergency Department 24040 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs (2.3 miles from hotel)
Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida 9981 S. Health Park Dr., Ft. Myers (15.5 miles from hotel)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Conference special?

This biennial gathering is a unique event because it brings together people from all areas of the Barth community: families, researchers, clinicians, and healthcare leaders. For families, the conference is a chance to connect with others who understand the journey, hear about the latest science, and get to know the BSF team. For researchers, it is a chance to connect with peers and families, conduct IRB-approved studies, and stay on the cutting edge of the field. For everyone, it builds the community and knowledge that make us #BarthStrong.

Our conference is special because it connects people from across industries, geographies, and communities. 

We welcome affected individuals, caregivers and family members, scientists and researchers, clinicians, healthcare leaders, and other members of the broader rare disease community. Anyone with a personal or professional connection to Barth syndrome or the concerns of rare disease communities will find the conference interesting.

The conference in organized into five tracks for different interests:

  1. On-site research
  2. Research and development
  3. Family education and care management
  4. Wellness and inclusiveness
  5. Camp Barth 

You can read more on the agenda page

Please reach out us here, and we will add you to a private Facebook group for families attending. 

To encourage caregiver participation throughout the conference, age-appropriate youth activities and childcare are available. Camp Barth offers a range of engaging, child-friendly activities overseen by professional childcare providers. Volunteer-led activities include an educational and fun science workshop for kids, movies, and crafts. You will be able to register for childcare at the time of conference registration. 

We aim to keep Conference accessible, especially for our families. We provide a limited number of scholarships to families. Stay tuned for more details. Early bird pricing runs until March 31. Regular pricing runs from April 1 – June 29. Late pricing begins after June 30. All prices are in USD and per person.

  • Affected individuals and family members: $50 per person early bird / $100 per person regular / $150 late
  • Researchers, physicians, and other HCPS: $400 / $500 / $600
  • Attendees from 501(c)3 nonprofits: $400 / $500 / $600
  • Government and regulatory officials: $400 / $500 /$600
  • Industry and pharmaceutical professionals: $500 / $600 / $750

Information about the airport and transportation can be found on this page above. If you still have questions, please contact us

Across all three days, scientific talks will highlight scientific advances and facilitate the exchange of ideas and resources through presentations on the basic biology of the disease, emerging therapeutics, and novel research tools for Barth syndrome. We have also curated a series of opportunities geared toward new investigators, such as the SciMed “meet and greet”, research spotlights, poster blitz and session, mentoring lunch, and scientific happy hour. Researchers can reach out us here with questions or view the 2024 agenda for sample programming.

Thank you for your interest! You can view the conference sponsorship prospectus here and reach out to us here.

The theme for the social this year is Come Where You’re From, celebrating the diverse geographies our community members come from. This is a fun way to celebrate the places and communities that make up our global Barth family. 

We’re so glad you want to get involved. To support us with a donation or sponsorship, check out the options below. If you’d like to volunteer, please reach out here!

Support Conference

Everything we do is powered by our community, including Conference. ​

Volunteer

We’re currently looking for onsite volunteers to support guests during the conference. If you’re interested in volunteering, please reach out to us!

Community Sponsorship & Donations

Thank you for funding our work! You can now sponsor a specific part of Conference, such as playtime, dinner for affected adults, or an “Ask a Doc” session! You can also donate to support Conference generally here

Corporate Sponsorship

We’re grateful for the businesses who support us! Corporate sponsors can reach out here. You can also view and download the conference sponsorship prospectus here.

Questions?

We'd love to help.

Thank you to our Sponsors! 

Our Conference app and session registration are live!