Breastfeeding Conferences 2020

It has become an annual tradition for me to research lactation conferences, check registration links and put it all together in a neat package for colleagues and advocates. I was definitely NOT prepared to see the increase in offerings. There are nearly twice the number of lactation specific conferences than in 2019. With so many fabulous choices, how can one decide on which ones to attend? Let me offer 11 suggestions for narrowing down your search

.

1. Location. Support your local coalitions and organizations. There is a lot of effort and thought that goes into planning and executing these large events and they should be well-attended. Locals make up the majority of the audience and organizers are counting on you. Staying local will present the opportunity to meet people in your own backyard and you may find networking and collaboration opportunities. Remember, if the conference is a success, it will most likely be a reoccurring event.

2. Cost. It is no small investment to attend a conference. The options for 2020 range from around $100 to $500. A low-cost option does not mean a low-quality program. Some conference committees work hard to get sponsors to keep pricing low. Check for discounts. Many conferences offer member or student discounts and early bird pricing. If you are looking for a specialty training or attending a multi-day event, the pricing is sure to be higher. Just remember to budget for the events you would like to attend. If you want more suggestions on how to save money, check out last year's conferenceblog.

3. Contact Hours. Many professions require continuing education for re-certification. Conference organizers have to apply for these in advance. IBCLCs need 85 L-Cerps every 5 years. Nurses, Registered Dietitians, Physicians, etc. all need to meet minimum requirements. Don't just assume you will receive CEUs, BRNs, etc., double check before registering.

4. Presenters. We all have our favorites, but venture beyond the big names. There are plenty of rising stars who have a lot to share. I love to support fresh faces that come along with new ideas. Of course, I'm not ready for anyone to retire--there are still quite a few I need to learn from (looking forward to crossing a few off my bucket list in 2020). And let's be honest, there are lactation legends that could never be replaced.

5. Topics. This one gets me all the time. There is so much I want and need to learn. I often base my choice on what I am seeing in private practice or what my students want to know more about. I feel responsible to learn the new information and pass it on to others. I jump on opportunities to learn new research and absolutely love it when I get to hear from the researchers themselves.

6. Diversity. I mean this in every sense of the word. This is often the work of the organizers. Hopefully, people are realizing the value and necessity (along with urgency) of having a variety of speakers that address even the most uncomfortable topics. You will notice several conferences including this aspect this year. Choose diversity. It may seem like some groups are overcompensating, but we are making up for lost time.

7. Organizers. Who are you supporting? I like to know where my investment is going. I tend to support my friends, non-profits and small businesses. This list will look different for everyone. Sometimes people will select a conference where some proceeds go to a cause near and dear to their heart. Others like to attend conferences that offer scholarships. Some people may decide not to attend a conference that does not follow the WHO Code. You have your reasons and you get to vote with your funds. If you have a specific question, reach out to the event coordinator prior to registering.

8. Refund Policy. Many people attending breastfeeding conferences are involved in the birth world where the unexpected is expected. Know the refund policy. What is the latest to cancel without penalty? Do the organizers keep your deposit? Is there a way to receive a partial refund if an emergency arises? You can save yourself some disappointment if you know the policies ahead of time.

9. Public Transportation. This may be a deal breaker. I have looked at low-cost conferences but after budgeting airfare, rental car and/or Uber the cost became elevated. I even attended a conference where there was a $25 parking fee for each of the three days! Take into consideration ease of travel and location in regards to transportation so you can budget accordingly.

10. Exhibitors. Some conferences are market free and those may be the ones you wish to support, but I always like to see the newest gadgets and how they work. I always purchase from local vendors and support the small businesses that have invested in order to keep my cost low. I feel like I would rather purchase from them rather than pay more to register. It is a win-win for me. I also am very social, so hanging out in the exhibit area is a highlight to my day. It is so much easier to connect in a social environment than in the conference room. Some of my best ideas and most successful partnerships were birthed in the exhibit hall.

11. Attendees. Yep, I want to know who I get to connect with. I love meeting like-minded people and finally connecting in person. Social media is great, but nothing compares to grabbing a cup of coffee in person. I put this last, but personally, I get giddy when I know I will be seeing friends. I just didn't want to out myself as a fan-girl. I get motivated, inspired, excited and encouraged by the attendees as much (if not more than) the presenters. Who will I see at the 2020 Conferences? I cannot wait to connect in real life.

2020 CONFERENCES (listed in order of scheduled dates)

Click the title to follow the links to the conferences

US CONFERENCES Organization or Topic	DATE(S)	LOCATION	COST Early Bird rates are listed, member/ group discounts may apply
Healthy Children Project	Jan 14-17, 2020	Deerfield Beach, FL	$175 per day
California Breastfeeding Summit	Jan 21-23, 2020	Sacramento, Ca	$425
Oral Habilitation of the Breastfeeding Dyad	February 7, 2020	Kenmore, WA Additional locations and dates	Check the website
Southeastern Lactation Consultant Association (SELCA) Conference	February 7-8, 2020	Atlanta, GA	$230
New York Lactation Consultant Association	February 9-10, 2020	Richmond Hill, NY	$335
Alaska Birth Collective	February 20-23, 2020	Anchorage, AK	$595
MyoWild Perioperative Frenectomy Care	February 29, 2020	Dallas, TX	$325-$525
iLactation	March 4-May 4, 2020	Online	$175
Wisconsin Association of Lactation Consultants	March 5-6, 2020	Oshkosh, WI	$125
Nursing Mother's Council of BACE	March 9, 2020	Boxborough, MA	$145
New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force	March 12-13, 2020	Albuquerque, NM	$350
LC in Private Practice	March 14-15, 2020	Philadelphia, PA	$475
Emory University School of Medicine	March 16-17, 2020	Atlanta, GA	Coming soon
Northwest Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition	March 25, 2020	Dalton, GA	$115
La Leche League of Connecticut	March 26, 2020	Portland, CT	$185
La Leche League of Texas	March 27-28, 2020	Houston, TX	$250
Ohio Lactation Consultant Association	March 27-28, 2020	Dublin, OH	$325
Lactation Unlocked	March 28, 2020	Rock Hill, SC	$30
GOLD Lactation Online Conference	March 30-June 1, 2020	Online	$225
AHEC North Carolina	March 31, 2020	Winston-Salem, NC	$115
Edwardsville Region Breastfeeding Task Force	April 2, 2020	Fairview Heights. IL	$110
NY Statewide Breastfeeding Coalition Conference	April 2, 2020	Troy, NY	Coming soon
San Joaquin County Breastfeeding Coalition	April 17, 2020	San Joaquin County, CA	$129
La Leche League of Minnesota/Dakotas	April 17, 2020	St. Paul, MN	Coming soon
National WIC Association	May 17-20, 2020	New Orleans, LA	$485
Human Milk Banking Assn of North American Symposium HMBANA	April 20-21	Austin, TX	$270-440
27th Annual Professional Lactation Conference Therapeutic Breast Massage in Lactation	April 23-24 April 24, 2020	S. Burlington, Vermont Cleveland, OH	$300 $250
Florida Lactation Consultant Association	April 24-25	Viera, FL	$140
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)	April 24-27, 2020	Seattle, WA	$200-$800
Reflexes and Movement in Birth and Breastfeeding	April 25, 2020	Fayetteville, NC	$400
Alaska Breastfeeding Coalition Conference	April 27-28, 2020	Anchorage, AK	$375
Triangle Breastfeeding Alliance Conference	April 30, 2020	Raleigh, NC	$90
Baystate Log Cabin Breastfeeding Conference	May 7-8, 2020	Holyoke, MA	Coming soon
Black Mothers' Breastfeeding Association	May 13-15, 2020	Detroit, MI	Coming soon
North Carolina Lactation Consultant Association	June 8, 2020	North Carolina
United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC)	June 12-13 2020	Scottsdale, AZ	coming soon
Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)	June 13-17	Phoenix, AZ	Coming soon
International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA)	July 8-11, 2020	Houston, TX	Coming soon
Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere	August 26-28, 2020	New Orleans, LA	Coming soon
Childbirth & Postpartum Professional Association	September 11-13, 2020	San Antonio, TX	Coming soon
iLactation	September 15-November 15, 2020	online	$175
Appalachian Breastfeeding Network Annual Conference	October 9-10, 2020	Flintstone, MD	$100
INTERNATIONAL/ ONLINE CONFERENCES	DATE(S)	LOCATION	COST
Breastfeeding 2020 Breastfeeding:Turning the Tide Oral Habilitation of the Breastfeeding Dyad	February 19-21 February 20-22 Ongoing/online	Australia Warmambool, VIC traveling training	$475 $455 $377
iLactation	March 4 & September 15, 2020	online	$175
Australian Breastfeeding Association	March, 2020	5 Locations; Australia and online	$235
GOLD Lactation Online Conference	March 30-June 1, 2020	Online	$225
Lactation Consultants Great Britain	April 24-25, 2020	Milton Keynes, MK17 OPH	£300
ELACTA Conference	May 14-16, 2020	Milan, Italy	230€
ABM Australasia	May	Melbourne
UNICEF/Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Conference	November 19-20	Harrogate, UK	Coming soon
BIENNIAL CONFERENCES (RETURNING IN 2021)
United States Lactation Consultant Association (USLCA)	April 29-May 1, 2021 (Biennial)	Norfolk, VA
College of Medicine Dept of OB/GYN	2021 (Biennial)
Canadian Lactation Consultant Association (CLCA)	2021	Vancouver, Canada

I am sure that this list will be edited regularly. Please leave comments for any updates or additions to the 2020 calendar. Also, tell us why you choose to attend conferences. Do any of the 11 reasons above resonate with you? Which one(s) are you looking forward to attending in 2020?