Your Guide to the 2022 U.S. World Vitiligo Day Celebration in Minnesota
Update: A livestream of this event will be available via MyVitiligoTeam.
World Vitiligo Day, celebrated on June 25th each year, is a day that recognizes the 1% of those living with vitiligo, an autoimmune disease and condition. Around the world, those with vitiligo and their families and advocates use the day to raise awareness about vitiligo and celebrate their own stories and experiences with the condition.
For those in the U.S. (and beyond), one of the biggest in-person celebrations of this day is the annual U.S. conference and celebration. This year, the U.S. event will take place in Bloomington, Minnesota June 24-26, 2022. Here’s what you need to know.
Key details for the 2022 U.S. World Vitiligo Day Event
The 2022 U.S. celebration of World Vitiligo Day will take place in Bloomington, Minnesota, June 24 to June 26, 2022.
Dates: 4 p.m. on Friday, June 24 to 12 p.m. Sunday, June 26, 2022
Location: Marriott Minneapolis Airport Hotel, 2020 American Boulevard East, Bloomington, Minnesota 55425 USA
Registration Fee: $175 Early Bird (through April 30), $200 Regular (May 1-June 1), $225 Late/On-Site (June 2-June 24)
Website: https://2022.wvdusa.org/
The event will take place at the Marriott Minneapolis Airport Hotel, just an 8-minute drive from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. A special event rate for rooms at the hotel is available through Friday, June 10. The event kicks off the evening of Friday, June 24 and will conclude by noon on Sunday, June 26. Registration is available now through the event with early bird discounts available through April 30 and regular rates available through June 1. All meals are included with the exception of dinner on Friday evening. The 2022 World Vitiligo Day website includes details on registration, the schedule, lodging and transportation from the airport.
The event schedule is packed with education and celebration
The 3-day event includes a mix of conference-style information sessions and opportunities to socialize and celebrate World Vitiligo Day. The event kicks off with a “meet and mingle” on Friday evening with the option to visit support group and vendor tables to learn more about resources available to those with vitiligo. (Tip: Book a dinner reservation at a local restaurant and join the event before or after your meal.)
Saturday is a full day of programming featuring a motivational speaker, breakout sessions and a dinner and dance celebration to end the day. Breakout sessions will include practical topics like diet and immune health, UV clothing, sunscreen and makeup, in addition to conversations about how to support your loved one with vitiligo, talking with strangers about vitiligo, approaching school educators and more. The weekend wraps up with breakfast and additional panel sessions on Sunday morning, concluding at noon. You can find the full schedule of events on the event website.
There’s something in the program for everyone
Everyone experiences vitiligo differently – and that’s okay. You might be recently diagnosed or you might have grown up with the condition. You might be seeking treatment, looking for makeup solutions to cover your spots or embracing your skin. You might not be ready to talk about your vitiligo, or you might be excited to share your story. No matter where you are in your experience with vitiligo, this conference has something for you.
You’ll hear from motivational speakers and dermatologists. You’ll learn about mental health and treatments. You’ll see people taking proud pictures of their skin and others seeking answers about the autoimmune component about vitiligo. You’ll have the choice to engage as much or as little as you want and learn about the topics that are most meaningful to you.
The event is kid-friendly
Children are a big part of every World Vitiligo Day conference – and this year is no exception. Whether it’s hanging at the Marriott’s indoor heated pool with other kids with vitiligo or attending some of the kid-friendly programming, your child is sure to find entertainment throughout the weekend. (And maybe a new friend or two!)
The event program includes a session on how to talk about vitiligo with role-playing scenarios for kids on Saturday morning. In the afternoon, children are invited on a free, chaperone-supervised field trip to Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America. Parents will be required to sign release forms for children to attend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I register for the 2022 U.S. World Vitiligo Day event?
You can register and get information about lodging and transportation from the airport at https://2022.wvdusa.org/.
Will the event also be accessible virtually?
MyVitiligoTeam will host a livestream with coverage of some events.
Is there a room rate for the event?
Yes, the event will take place at the Marriott Minneapolis Airport Hotel, just an 8-minute drive from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. A special event rate for rooms at the hotel is available through Friday, June 10.
The U.S. World Vitiligo Day celebration is co-hosted by the Global Vitiligo Foundation and MyVitiligoTeam, and organized in partnership with VitFriends. The Global Vitiligo Foundation is a non-profit with a mission to improve the quality of life for individuals with vitiligo through education, research, clinical care, and community support. MyVitiligoTeam is a social networking platform and educational resource for those with vitiligo that provides connection and educational resources. VitFriends is a non-profit network of support groups located throughout the U.S.
Read more about past U.S. World Vitiligo Day Celebrations:
Inside the 2020 World Vitiligo Day USA Virtual Event
Top 10 Moments of the 2018 World Vitiligo Day Conference
Top 10 Moments of World Vitiligo Day 2019
Visit https://2022.wvdusa.org/ to learn more and register today.
