Foundations | The Leading Event For Advocacy Organizations

The Leading Event For Advocacy Organizations to Drive
Scientific Discovery and Patient Care

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

There are more than 22,000 disease-focused nonprofit 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 disease-focused nonprofit 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 It Matters

Therapeutic development is increasingly dependent on strong patient-centered partnerships. Disease-focused nonprofits 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
Building readiness for regulatory engagement and reimbursement pathways

Is It For You?

Foundations brings together the full therapeutic ecosystem. Whether you lead a disease-focused nonprofit, work inside a pharmaceutical or biotech company, represent a federal agency, or design clinical trials — this conference was built for you.

You’ll get the most out of Foundations if…

You lead or work at a disease-focused nonprofit and want to grow your research and industry programs
You work in pharma or biotech and want to build authentic, productive nonprofit partnerships
You represent a federal agency working to advance patient-centered therapeutic development
You design or manage clinical trials and want to improve community engagement
You’re newer to the PAO ecosystem and need a clear, practical roadmap to get started

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 policymakers.

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

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Job Title

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First Last Name

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8:00 AM

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 Fuel Scientific Progress

Landscape of patient-facing nonprofit sector
The value that PAOs bring to Medtech, researchers and government
Ecosystem of PAOs, Medtech, researchers, and government
Examples of successful partnerships
Valuable programs: patient registries, FDA meetings, Research Centers of Excellence, living history studies

9:50 AM

Partnering with Purpose: Navigating Industry Collaboration and Building Smart, Mission-Driven Partnerships

Meeting the mission: how work in the MedTech/Federal/PAO ecosystem improves lives
Assessing readiness
Seeking the right fit in MedTech partners
Building your PAO’s infrastructure and network
Overview of revenue-generating programs (fee for service, study support, industry councils, sponsorships for non-research programs)

10:35 AM

Inside the Research Pipeline: Where Patient Advocacy Organizations Make a Difference

Phases of medical studies
Discovery to after-market: the roadmap and where PAO’s come into play at each phase
The current landscape and impact on Medtech and PAO’s

11:15 AM

Networking Break

11:45 AM

Partnerships that Deliver: Real Stories, Real Impact

Life-impacting outcomes of Medtech/PAO partnerships
What makes a successful partnership?
Communication: sharing your progress and success
When things don’t go as planned: Causes of misalignment, managing expectations of your community

12:30 PM

Networking Lunch

1:30 PM

Building Research Powerhouses: How Research Centers of Excellence Programs Accelerate Discovery and Improve Care

Examples and models of RCOEs
Success stories; what makes an RCOE program valuable to MedTech
How RCOE programs catalyze research and benefit your community

2:15 PM

Interactive Session

Becoming Research-Ready: An Interactive Blueprint for Success

3:30 PM

Networking Break

4:00 PM

Turning the Patient Voice Into Action: Programs that Deliver

Patient registries and Living history studies
Engaging funders: the case for support
Navigating foundations

5:00 PM

Networking Reception

6:00 PM

End of Day One

8:00 AM

Networking Breakfast

9:00 AM

Chairpersons Recap and Opening Remarks

Allison Feldman

CEO

LEWY BODY DEMENTIA ASSOCIATION

9:10 AM

From Policy to Patients: Engaging Effectively With the Federal System

NIH 101- what is it/mission/structure/IC’s/who runs it/decision-makers and $
The current landscape and how it impacts research
How to engage with your IC (institutes and centers)
FDA 101
Patient-Focused Drug Development Meetings: what they are and why they matter

9:55 AM

Advocacy That Moves Mountains: Turning Passion into Policy

Advocacy: what it is, advocacy v. 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

Networking Break

11:15 AM

Panel Discussion

The Power of Partnership: Perspectives Across the Ecosystem

Researchers and nonprofit - working together success stories, lessons learned
Nonprofit and funder - why I chose to invest in this program
NIH Program Director(s)/nonprofit - working together, success stories, lessons learned, current climate
Patient/caregiver - why this is important

12:15 PM

See you next year

Fixed Rate

$895

Early Bird Rate

$2895

$200 Savings

Advanced Rate

$2995

$100 Savings

Standard Rate

$3095

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

1. Why Should I Attend? (aka: What's In It for Me?)

TOP REASONS TO ATTEND

-Learn and implement different metrics for measuring the success of your KOL interactions and to benchmark against other TLLs

-Craft effective TLL Business Planning and Development that secures cross-functional effective collaboration for the overall success of the company

-Explore different tools and ways to work with your KOLs and DOLs, learn best practices on how the industry is managing its interactions

-Find innovative ways to keep HCPs engaged and interested in your speaker programs

-Understand the compliance and ethics considerations for TLLs on their internal and external interactions and engagement to guarantee successful engagement
2. Who Should Attend? (Hint: It Might Be You)
This event is designed for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device professionals with responsibilities in the following areas:
- TLL (Thought Leader Liaison)
- Thought Leader Engagement
- KOL Relationship Management/ Development
- Regional Marketers
- Associate Director of Marketing
- Opinion/Thought Leader Relations
- Speaker Bureau Training/Management
- Speaker Programs
- Speaker Advisory Boards
- Key Customer Engagement Manager
- Regional Marketing Liaison
- Global Stakeholder Strategy and Insights
- Associate Director, Opinion Leader Programming
- Global KOL Manager
- Sr Manager, International and Global Customer Meeting Services
- Global Thought Leader Center of Excellence
- Medical Education, Launch, and TL Engagement
- US Customer Meeting Services
- KOL Marketing
- Associate Director, Medical Marketing
- Digital Communication
- Media/Multimedia
- External Engagement
- Commercial Operations
- Marketing Operations
- Field sales/Field Directors
- Strategic Account Management
- Advisory Board Management
- Professional Education/Programs
- Global Relations
- Compliance, Legal and Regulatory
- CRM Systems
- External Affairs
- Stakeholder Relations/Outreach
- Physician Education/Outreach
- Promotional Regulatory Affairs
- Franchise/Business Unit/Therapeutic Area Management
- Brand/Portfolio Management
- Brand/Product Commercialization
- Commercial//Marketing Strategy
3. Can I Register a Group? (Squad Goals: Activated)

Yes! Bring your crew. Whether it’s your department, your leadership team, or your whole company — group registration is easy and comes with perks. Discounts? You bet. Better collaboration back at the office? Definitely. Reach out to us for custom group packages and let’s make it a team experience.

Interested in Group Rates?

Email Arianne Leclair at arianne@momentumevents.com to secure the best group discounts
4. What’s the Event About? (The Elevator Pitch)

The ONLY Thought Leader Liaison-focused event in the Pharma industry is COMING BACK for its 6th Edition!

The 6th Thought Leader Liaison Engagement Summit is the only conference that focuses entirely on the TLL/Regional Marketing role within the Pharmaceutical industry. Emphasizing on TLL strategies, using of technology and enhancing HCP engagement across the board, in advisory boards, speaker programs in a compliant manner and the KOL-DOL strategizing and prioritizing, learning from established TLL teams and their successful implementation of new tactics.
5. Interested in Sponsorship? (Let’s Talk Visibility + Value)

Want your brand in front of the right people, in the right way, at the right time? Our sponsorship opportunities are customizable, creative, and designed to deliver ROI. From thought leadership to branding to curated meetings — let’s create something impactful. Drop us a line and we’ll cook up something special.

2025 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE NOW OPEN

Sponsorship is a great way to enhance your brand’s visibility and help you connect with top-level decision-makers, innovators, and industry disruptors. There are a number of ways to maximize branding opportunities at the summit.
6. How Do I Network? (Spoiler: It’s Easier Than You Think)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top reasons why I should attend?

TOP REASONS TO ATTEND

-Learn and implement different metrics for measuring the success of your KOL interactions and to benchmark against other TLLs

-Craft effective TLL Business Planning and Development that secures cross-functional effective collaboration for the overall success of the company

-Explore different tools and ways to work with your KOLs and DOLs, learn best practices on how the industry is managing its interactions

-Find innovative ways to keep HCPs engaged and interested in your speaker programs

-Understand the compliance and ethics considerations for TLLs on their internal and external interactions and engagement to guarantee successful engagement
Who should attend?
This event is designed for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device professionals with responsibilities in the following areas:
- TLL (Thought Leader Liaison)
- Thought Leader Engagement
- KOL Relationship Management/ Development
- Regional Marketers
- Associate Director of Marketing
- Opinion/Thought Leader Relations
- Speaker Bureau Training/Management
- Speaker Programs
- Speaker Advisory Boards
- Key Customer Engagement Manager
- Regional Marketing Liaison
- Global Stakeholder Strategy and Insights
- Associate Director, Opinion Leader Programming
- Global KOL Manager
- Sr Manager, International and Global Customer Meeting Services
- Global Thought Leader Center of Excellence
- Medical Education, Launch, and TL Engagement
- US Customer Meeting Services
- KOL Marketing
- Associate Director, Medical Marketing
- Digital Communication
- Media/Multimedia
- External Engagement
- Commercial Operations
- Marketing Operations
- Field sales/Field Directors
- Strategic Account Management
- Advisory Board Management
- Professional Education/Programs
- Global Relations
- Compliance, Legal and Regulatory
- CRM Systems
- External Affairs
- Stakeholder Relations/Outreach
- Physician Education/Outreach
- Promotional Regulatory Affairs
- Franchise/Business Unit/Therapeutic Area Management
- Brand/Portfolio Management
- Brand/Product Commercialization
- Commercial//Marketing Strategy
Can I register a group?
What is the Event About?

The ONLY Thought Leader Liaison-focused event in the Pharma industry is COMING BACK for its 5th Edition!

The 5th Thought Leader Liaison Engagement Summit is the only conference that focuses entirely on the TLL/Regional Marketing role within the Pharmaceutical industry. Emphasizing on TLL strategies, using of technology and enhancing HCP engagement across the board, in advisory boards, speaker programs in a compliant manner and the KOL-DOL strategizing and prioritizing, learning from established TLL teams and their successful implementation of new tactics.
Venue

The Notary Hotel, Philadelphia,
Autograph Collection
21 North Juniper Street,
Philadelphia, PA, 19107, US

A limited and exclusive room block is available for our 5th Thought Leader Liaison Engagement Summit. To take advantage of our discounted room rate please click here.

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 Wyndham Lake Buena Vista; these companies and others like it are not in any way affiliated with us.
Sponsorship

2025 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE NOW OPEN

Sponsorship is a great way to enhance your brand’s visibility and help you connect with top-level decision-makers, innovators, and industry disruptors. There are a number of ways to maximize branding opportunities at the summit.
Interested in learning more about Sponsorship Opportunities?
Contact Lauren Arcady at Laurenb@momentumevents.com to get a customized quote today!

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

This is the first conference built specifically for nonprofit leaders, industry representatives, researchers, federal agency staff to learn how to effectively collaborate— and accelerate cures together.

Why It Matters

Is It For You?

Designed for the Entire Advocacy Ecosystem

Our Chairperson

Allison Feldman

Speaking Faculty

First Last Name

First Last Name

First Last Name

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Program Agenda: Day One

October 28, 2026

8:00 AM

9:00 AM

9:10 AM

9:50 AM

10:35 AM

11:15 AM

11:45 AM

12:30 PM

1:30 PM

2:15 PM

3:30 PM

4:00 PM

5:00 PM

6:00 PM

Program Agenda: Day Two

October 29, 2026

8:00 AM

9:00 AM

9:10 AM

9:55 AM

10:45 AM

11:15 AM

12:15 PM

Pricing

501(c)3 Patient Organization / Professional Advocate | Academics | Government

Fixed Rate

$895

Bio/Pharma | Law Firms | Service Providers | Consultants

Early Bird Rate

$2895

Advanced Rate

$2995

Standard Rate

$3095

Venue

Hilton Arlington

950 North Stafford Street

Arlington, VA 22203, US

Why Sponsor

Interested in learning more?

Interested in learning more?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why Should I Attend? (aka: What's In It for Me?)

2. Who Should Attend? (Hint: It Might Be You)

3. Can I Register a Group? (Squad Goals: Activated)

4. What’s the Event About? (The Elevator Pitch)

5. Interested in Sponsorship? (Let’s Talk Visibility + Value)

6. How Do I Network? (Spoiler: It’s Easier Than You Think)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top reasons why I should attend?

Who should attend?

Can I register a group?

What is the Event About?

Venue

Sponsorship

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