Obesity Action Coalition’s Your Weight Matters National Convention

“Explore. Discover. Empower.”
Dallas, Texas
October 25 to 28, 2012

by James Zervios

James Zervios is the Director of Communications for the Obesity Action Coalition.

FUNDING: No funding was provided.

DISCLOSURES: The author reports no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this article.

From October 25 to 28, 2012, Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) members from more than 34 states gathered in Dallas, Texas, for a ground-breaking health and weight educational convention.

The convention provided attendees direct access to the country’s leading experts and thought-leaders in weight and health. The convention included 18 educational sessions led by the country’s leading experts on diverse topics designed to arm attendees with the most current information on excess weight, bariatric surgery, health, nutrition, exercise, and more.

In addition to educational sessions on Friday and Saturday, attendees were also given the opportunity to participate in a “Lunch with the Experts” session. This session allowed attendees to sit one-on-one with an expert and have an in-depth conversation about the topic of their choice. The convention also featured a special Advocacy Training session, focused on training the OAC’s next set of advocates. A total of 68 attendees learned from experts in healthcare policy on how to advocate for access to treatment, awareness, and more.

The evenings were filled with social events, which allowed attendees the opportunity to connect with one another. On Friday night, the OAC hosted a Halloween-themed costume party in conjunction with its OAC State of the Association address. On Saturday evening, the OAC hosted the first OAC Annual Awards Dinner honoring six members for their outstanding service in areas, such as advocacy, weight bias, and membership recruitment. The convention wrapped up on Sunday morning with the Dallas Walk from Obesity. The Dallas Walk raised more than $24,000 to increase awareness, prevention, education, and advocacy in obesity and offered more than 250 walkers a host of activities from face-painting to a silent auction.

“The OAC wanted to create a warm and welcoming environment where attendees felt comfortable to be themselves, learn from experts, and unite with each other. This was definitely accomplished and so much more, and we are excited to welcome so many to the OAC family through our convention,” said Joe Nadglowski, OAC President and CEO.

The convention’s success was due in large part to the OAC National Board of Directors and Convention Planning Committee for their dedication to excellence. In addition, the Convention would not have been possible without the generous support of its National Sponsors: gold sponsors Eisai and Vivus, Inc. and bronze sponsors Bariatric Advantage, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Geisinger, and Methodist Weight Management Institute. The OAC is also grateful for the support of the 19 exhibitors who participated in the convention.

The OAC has already begun planning the 2013 Your Weight Matters National Convention and a formal announcement will take place in December 2012. For more information on the Your Weight Matters National Convention, please visit www.YWMConvention.com.

The OAC is a National nonprofit charity dedicated to helping individuals affected by obesity. The OAC was formed to bring together individuals struggling with weight issues and provide educational resources and advocacy tools. For more information, visit www.obesityaction.org

Category: Past Articles, Symposium Synopsis