Why should I attend Foundations?

Foundations equips patient advocacy professionals with the tools and knowledge to become pivotal players in groundbreaking research partnerships. Over two days in Arlington, VA, you'll gain the frameworks, relationships, and practical tools to strengthen your organization's role in the full therapeutic ecosystem.

Who should attend Foundations?

Foundations brings together the full therapeutic ecosystem. It's designed for patient advocacy organization leaders, pharma and biotech professionals seeking nonprofit partnerships, federal agency representatives advancing patient-centered therapeutic development, clinical trial professionals improving community engagement, and those newer to the PAO ecosystem who need a practical roadmap.

Can I register a group for Foundations?

Yes! Group registration is available with discounts. Whether it's your department, leadership team, or whole company, group packages come with perks. Email Arianne Leclair at arianne@momentumevents.com to secure the best group discounts.

What is the Foundations conference about?

Foundations is the first conference built specifically for patient advocacy organizations and industry representatives to learn how to effectively collaborate and accelerate cures together. Topics include building pharma partnerships, clinical trial engagement, NIH and FDA advocacy, research centers of excellence, and policy-to-patient pathways.

How do I network at Foundations?

Foundations features structured roundtables, topic lounges, networking receptions, and interactive sessions designed to make networking feel natural. From the networking breakfast and lunch to the evening reception, there are multiple opportunities to connect with collaborators across the therapeutic ecosystem.

Foundations 2026 — Patient Advocacy Conference

Name: Foundations 2026: The Premier Patient Advocacy Conference
Start: 2026-10-28T08:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-10-29T18:00:00-04:00
Location: Hilton Arlington

The Premier Forum For Patient Advocacy Organizations to Advance Scientific Discovery and Patient Care

October 28-29, 2026
Hilton Arlington, Arlington, VA

Become a Speaker

Become a Sponsor

There are more than 22,000 patient advocacy organizations in the United States. These organizations have ground-level, continuous contact with millions of people living with disease or medical disorders, and they are desperate for cures and treatments.

Imagine a future where patient advocacy professionals are equipped with the tools and knowledge to become pivotal players in groundbreaking research partnerships.

That future starts at Foundations. Over two days in Arlington, you’ll gain the frameworks, relationships, and practical tools to strengthen your organization’s role in the full therapeutic ecosystem.

Why patient advocacy partnerships matter for therapeutic development

Why It Matters

Therapeutic development is increasingly dependent on strong patient-centered partnerships. Patient Advocacy Organizations can dramatically reduce trial risk, improve recruitment, and strengthen real-world evidence by:

Mobilizing patient communities for clinical trial enrollment
Supporting pediatric and adult study participation
Providing natural history data and lived-experience insights
Reducing operational uncertainty for sponsors
Enhancing trial design through community-informed approaches

Patient Advocacy Organizations

Create or expand your support of medical research, your work with pharma and biotech, and your advocacy initiatives.

Pharma & Biotech

Build authentic, productive nonprofit partnerships and strengthen your pipeline through patient community engagement.

Federal Agencies

Advance patient-centered therapeutic development and strengthen collaboration across the advocacy ecosystem.

Clinical Trial Professionals

Design and manage clinical trials that benefit from community-informed approaches and meaningful PAO collaboration.

Newer to the PAO Ecosystem

Get a clear, practical roadmap to get started and build the relationships that move the needle.

Designed for the Entire Advocacy Ecosystem

Built around the real-world needs of advocacy organizations, the Foundations agenda delivers practical, actionable insights for every stakeholder in the ecosystem—from patient advocacy leaders and nonprofit teams to researchers, medtech partners, and federal regulators .

From understanding the research pipeline and building research-ready organizations, to forming high-impact partnerships and navigating NIH/FDA engagement, each session is intentionally designed to meet attendees where they are and help them drive meaningful scientific progress.

Allison Feldman

CEO

Jean Campbell

Co-Founder and Board Director

Shana Dodge PhD

Director of Research Engagement

Keith N. Fargo, PhD

Director of Scientific Initiatives

Deborah Fowler

President and Founder

Eric Gascho

Vice President

Raymond Puerini

Director

Erika Sward

Chief Advocacy Officer

Conference Agenda

Two full days of practical, actionable sessions for every stakeholder in the patient advocacy ecosystem.

8:00 AM

Networking

Breakfast and Registration

9:00 AM

Chairperson's Opening Remarks

Allison Feldman

CEO · Lewy Body Dementia Association

9:10 AM

Keynote

Powering Progress: How Patient Advocacy Organizations Advance Scientific Innovation

The evolution and impact of patient advocacy
Understanding the U.S. landscape of Patient Advocacy Organizations (PAOs)
The unique value PAOs bring to industry, academia, and government partnerships
How strategic collaboration accelerates research, innovation, and patient outcomes

9:50 AM

Inside the Research Pipeline: Where PAOs Drive Impact

Understanding the structure and priorities of pharmaceutical companies
Exploring the phases of medical research and the critical role of PAOs throughout the process
Navigating today’s evolving and challenging research environment

10:35 AM

Partnering with Purpose: Building Strategic, Mission-Driven Industry Collaborations

Success stories and lessons learned from impactful partnerships
Preparing your organization to engage effectively with industry
Assessing organizational readiness for collaboration
Key ingredients of successful, sustainable partnerships

11:15 AM

Break

Networking Break

11:45 AM

Partnerships That Deliver: Real Stories, Real Impact

Maximizing opportunities for success while mitigating partnership risks
The importance of clear communication and accountability to the communities PAOs serve

12:30 PM

Networking

Networking Lunch

1:30 PM

Building Research Powerhouses: Programs That Accelerate Discovery and Improve Care

Introduction to Research Centers of Excellence programs
Why these programs matter and the value they deliver
Spotlight on the LBDA model and other successful approaches
How to launch, strengthen, and scale research-focused programs
Introduction to patient registries and their strategic importance
Recognizing registry opportunities you may already have in place

Keith N. Fargo, PhD

Director of Scientific Initiatives · LBDA

2:15 PM

Interactive Session

Becoming Research-Ready: An Interactive Blueprint for Success

This 90-minute interactive session introduces the Research Partnership Maturity Model (RPMM), a toolkit from FasterCures designed to help patient organizations assess their strengths and enhance their role in advancing research. Participants will gain practical insights into evaluating their capabilities and identifying opportunities for growth as research partners.

Raymond Puerini

Director · Milken Institute

3:30 PM

Break

Networking Break

4:15 PM

Making the Case for Support

Understanding the evolving landscape of private funding
Crafting compelling cases for support that resonate with funders

5:00 PM

Networking

Networking Reception

6:00 PM

End of Day One

8:00 AM

Networking

Networking Breakfast

9:00 AM

Chairperson's Recap and Opening Remarks

Allison Feldman

CEO · Lewy Body Dementia Association

9:10 AM

From Policy to Patients: Engaging Effectively With the Federal System
(Featuring perspectives from NIH, PAOs, and advocacy leaders)

NIH and FDA 101: missions, structures, institutes and centers, and key decision-makers
Understanding the current federal landscape and its impact on research and advocac
Strategies for engaging effectively with institutes and centers (ICs)
Advocacy fundamentals: defining advocacy, understanding lobbying, and navigating the distinction
Leveraging consultants and external expertise effectively

9:55 AM

Advocacy That Moves Mountains: Turning Passion Into Policy

Advocacy: what it is, advocacy vs. lobbying
Determining your organization's advocacy priorities: when to lead, join, or follow
Working with consultants
Creating a volunteer advocacy force — success stories

10:45 AM

Break

Networking Break

11:15 AM

Panel Discussion

The Power of Partnership: Perspectives Across the Ecosystem

Exploring the evolving role of PAOs within the broader healthcare and research ecosystem
Cross-sector perspectives on collaboration, innovation, and patient impact
Building stronger partnerships to advance shared goals

12:15 PM

See You Next Year

Pricing

501(c)3 Rate

Patient Organization · Professional Advocate · Academics · Government

Fixed Rate — All Qualifying Organizations

^$1,095

Bio/Pharma · Law Firms · Service Providers · Consultants

Early Bird Rate

$2,895

Save $200

Advanced Rate

$2,995

Save $100

Standard Rate

$3,095

Sponsors gain direct access to the organizations that shape patient communities and influence trial success.

Foundations offers:
• High-visibility brand placement among mission-driven leaders
• Direct relationship-building with nonprofits across multiple disease areas
• Opportunities to co-create sessions, workshops, and case studies
• Access to a pipeline of potential partners for recruitment, data, and trial readiness
• Positioning as a champion of patient-centered therapeutic development

Supporting Foundations signals a commitment to accelerating cures through collaboration — not just innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top reasons why I should attend?

TOP REASONS TO ATTEND

-Learn how to build effective programs and collaborations with pharma, biotech, and federal agencies to accelerate therapeutic development

-Gain practical frameworks, relationships, and tools to strengthen your organization's role in the therapeutic ecosystem

-Network with leaders from 22,000+ patient advocacy organizations, pharma/biotech partners, and federal agencies

-Hear from experts in patient advocacy, clinical research, NIH/FDA engagement, and policy

-Discover how to become research-ready and build high-impact partnerships that drive scientific progress
Who should attend?

Foundations brings together the full therapeutic ecosystem. Whether you lead a Patient Advocacy Organization, work inside pharma/biotech, represent a federal agency, or design clinical trials — this conference was built for you.

Patient Advocacy Organization leaders and staff

Pharma & Biotech professionals focused on patient partnerships

Federal agency representatives (NIH, FDA)

Clinical trial professionals and researchers

Academics and medical professionals

Those newer to the PAO ecosystem looking for a practical roadmap
Can I register a group?
What is the Event About?

Foundations is the premier forum for patient advocacy organizations to advance scientific discovery and patient care. This is the first conference designed to teach patient advocacy organizations how to build effective programs and collaborations with industry and federal agencies to accelerate therapeutic development.

Over two days in Arlington, VA, attendees gain the frameworks, relationships, and practical tools to strengthen their organization's role in the full therapeutic ecosystem — from understanding the research pipeline and building research-ready organizations, to forming high-impact partnerships and navigating NIH/FDA engagement.
Venue

Hilton Arlington

950 North Stafford Street

Arlington, VA 22203, US

A limited and exclusive room block is available for Foundations 2026. To take advantage of our discounted room rate, please visit the Venue section above for the booking link.

Please note there is only one official, exclusive housing block for this event. Any other channels for booking reservations are not authorized. If you are contacted by a 3rd party housing company claiming to have a relationship with Momentum Events Group LLC, its event and/or Hilton Arlington; these companies and others like it are not in any way affiliated with us.
Sponsorship

Sponsorship opportunities are available for Foundations 2026. Sponsorship is a great way to enhance your brand's visibility and connect directly with the organizations that shape patient communities and influence trial success.

Interested in learning more about Sponsorship Opportunities? Visit the Sponsors section above to access the Sponsorship Prospectus or schedule a meeting with our sponsorship team.

October 28-29, 2026
Hilton Arlington, Arlington, VA