On Friday evening, October 24, Saturday, October 25, and Sunday morning, October 26, 2025, we will host our annual global members’ conference in the Netherlands.
Our guests can already get to know each other on Friday evening during the welcome reception with a variety of Dutch snacks, starting at 8:00 PM. The program includes interesting parallel sessions on a wide range of topics.
This is a hybrid conference, meaning members can participate either online or on location in the Netherlands. Online participants can only attend the speaker sessions and not the other parts of the program.
On Saturday evening, we are organizing a dinner buffet for all participants!
This year, we are once again organizing activities on Sunday. We will cover the cost of one hotel room per member for the night from Saturday to Sunday (including breakfast buffet).
This year, we will organize our members’ conference together with Nevus Netwerk Nederland (NNN). It turns out that we often invite the same speakers and even share certain genetic similarities. In addition, we have jointly developed informational materials such as the Parent Support Guide and Living Loss.
Some sessions will be held separately by each organization, such as the general members’ meeting, but others—like the session by Dr. Willemijn Bos—will be shared. Moreover, members from both organizations are welcome to join the creative and other general sessions.
20:00 – 22:00 – Welcome with Dutch snacks and drinks (bar ISWV)
| Time (CET) | Speaker(s) | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Reception en registration | |
| 09:00 – 09:30 | Lex van der Heijden | Welcome, agenda and members’ meeting |
| 09:30 – 10:30 | Dr. Bibi Montfrans & Dr. Jorie Versmissen (Dutch and English) | |
| 10:00 – 12:00 | Workshop | Silver Stackable Ring |
| 10:30 – 11:30 | Dr. Willemijn Bos (English) | Four layers model of the skin |
| 11:00 – 13:00 | Workshop | Ugly Christmas Sweater |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | – | Break with ‘vlaai’ |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Dr. Willemijn Bos (Dutch) | Four layers model of the skin |
| 13:00 – 14:00 | – | Lunch |
| 13:00 – 16:15 | Workshop | Rap |
| 13:00 – 16:15 | Workshop | Graffiti |
| 14:00 – 15:00 | Matt Bolz-Johnson (Eurordis, English) | Mental health toolkit |
| 15:00 | Fresh ‘stroopwafels’ main entrance outside | |
| 16:30 – 18:00 | – |
Drinks |
| 18:30 – 20:00 | – | Dinner |
| 20:00 – 21:00 | Elwin Lentze | Musical performance |
| 21:00 – … | – | Chatting with each other |
| Time | Speaker(s) | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30 – 10:00 | – | Breakfast |
| 10:00 – 12:00 | Ecologist Alexandra | Into nature |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | – | Lunch |
| THE END |
Dr. Willemijn Bos will lead two workshops—one in Dutch and one in English—on the impact of having a skin or vascular condition. Such conditions can affect many other aspects of your life.
The layers of the skin symbolize emotions, thoughts, and energy. Are you curious to explore the deeper meaning of the skin? Then you are welcome to join this workshop, where you will be introduced to practical insights about the significance of your skin and will have the opportunity to experience what this means for you personally.
In the past, it was possible to receive a free personal medical consultation during our conference. This option has been discontinued for various reasons. One important reason is our goal to further improve the quality of personal medical advice and to provide more sustainable care. Sustainable care means that, especially for patients from abroad, better healthcare can be provided in their own country, as their local physician can be well-informed by the multidisciplinary medical team in the Netherlands.
Across Europe, many countries now have centers of expertise in the field of vascular malformations, allowing patients to consult with medical specialists in their own country and language.
European Reference Networks (ERN’s)
Outside of Europe, or in European countries where no centers of expertise are available, it is possible to make use of the expertise centers in the Netherlands.
Via the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) it is possible to search for multidisciplinary team or medical specialist per country.
This year, we are once again organizing our conference at the International School of Philosophy.
Landgoed ISVW
Dodeweg 8
3832 RD Leusden
The Netherlands
Information conference location
Hotelroom reservation: send an email to: reserveringen@isvw.nl
At this location, comfortable hotel rooms are also available, for which we have negotiated a special rate of €110 per night per comfort room. This price includes breakfast.
These rooms are suitable for a maximum of two adults and, if needed, a child up to 2 years old (in a crib). Please note that no baby cribs are available at the hotel.
A suite is a more spacious room where one extra bed can be added. The suite costs €188.00 per night for two people (including breakfast). An extra bed costs €25.00 per night (including breakfast). Breakfast for children between 4 and 16 years old costs €8.25 per person per day.
Local tourist tax is not included in these prices.
To reserve a room at ISVW, please send an email to: reserveringen@isvw.nl
The hotel room must be reserved and paid for by the guest. No-show costs will be charged to the person who made the reservation.
During previous member conferences, we were able to offer free chair massages, which not only provided relaxation but also pain relief for some patients. Belinda Toes is the person providing these chair massages.
This year, we are offering chair massages once again. When you register upon arrival at the conference center, you can also sign up for a chair massage. Be quick, as experience shows these massages are extremely popular across all age groups—even entire families participate!
Important: people with vascular malformations have priority.
During our member conferences in 2023 and 2024, we recorded a whole series of interviews, which can be found on our website. We will be doing this again this year.
Would you like to take part in an interview? Please let us know during registration.
The interview will be recorded in your own language and later subtitled in multiple languages.
The original idea behind this was to organize a creative event for children of almost all ages. For this, we have a separate room with supervision and various forms of entertainment. Crafting has proven to be a great success for nearly all age groups — even 16-year-olds, adults, and grandparents have a lot of fun! And the participants certainly don’t go home empty-handed!
The creative event runs from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
But … this year we are offering much more for all ages!
Ugly Christmas Sweater Workshop
“Get into the holiday spirit early and create the most hideous – and therefore fabulous! – Christmas sweater you’ve ever seen. From glittery reindeer to bows that are just way too big – anything goes, as long as it’s delightfully over-the-top. Dig out your ugliest (or plainest) sweater from the back of your closet (or send us your size and we’ll bring a basic Christmas sweater for you), and we’ll provide the rest: from pompoms to bells and everything in between.
This year, we’re making the member conference on October 25 even more unforgettable with a dose of hilarious Christmas madness! Don’t miss this chance to laugh and walk away with the most sensationally ugly sweater you’ve ever worn!”
This event takes place from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Graffiti Workshop
“Spray can in hand, wall in sight! Ever dreamed of creating your own street art (without the hassle of the police)? During our graffiti workshop, you’ll learn the tricks of the trade! From clean outlines to bold fills and the coolest bubble letters – we’ll transform you into a true street artist. No experience needed, just a dash of courage and a spray can full of creativity.
Will you spray your name… or something totally unexpected? This unique workshop is the reason you simply can’t miss the member conference on October 25 this year! Unleash your inner Banksy and spray your creativity on the canvas. A guaranteed colorful experience for all ages!”
This event runs from 1:00 – 2:45 PM (Group 1) and from 2:45 – 4:15 PM (Group 2).
Rap Workshop
“Have you always wanted to unleash your flow of words? Are you the next Eminem… or maybe the next Snelle? In our rap workshop, you’ll discover your inner MC! Learn how to craft tight rhymes, find the beat, and deliver your story with conviction. From punchlines that hit hard to flows that groove – we’ll help you go from page to stage.
No stage fright, just pure expression and a mic waiting for your voice. What will you rap about? This is your chance to be heard on October 25. Don’t miss out and make this edition of our member conference legendary!”
This event runs from 1:00 – 2:45 PM (Group 1) and from 2:45 – 4:15 PM (Group 2).
Silver Stackable Ring Workshop
Have you always wanted to create your own unique piece of jewelry? Now’s your chance during our super fun and creative workshop: Make Your Own Silver Stackable Ring!
Especially for teens, young adults, and adults, we organize an inspiring session where you’ll learn the fine art of silversmithing. Whether you’re 14 or 84, this is the perfect opportunity to let your creativity run free and go home with a beautiful, self-made piece of jewelry.
What will you do?
In this workshop, you’ll dive into the world of silversmithing. You’ll start by choosing your favorite silver wire: will it be classic round silver wire, playful pearl wire, or sleek square wire? The choice is yours!
Next, you’ll give your ring a personal touch by learning how to create beautiful relief patterns in the silver, resulting in a unique design. Think subtle textures or bold motifs – anything is possible!
Under professional guidance, you’ll get explanations of various techniques. You’ll learn how to skillfully solder the silver, shape the ring perfectly round, and finish it flawlessly by polishing. You’ll be amazed at what you can create yourself!
This event runs from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
All workshops are suitable for practically all ages! Do you dare to join?
We also organize a truly Imaginative Princess and Tough Photoshoot! Put on your most beautiful, coolest, or wildest outfit, and have your photo taken alone, with your family, or maybe even with a real superhero, princess, or supervillain! CMTC-OVM will treat you to one photo from the shoot, and if you want more gems, you can order them through us to make your memories tangible.
This event runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Elwin and his wife Nienke performed for the first time with us last year. Through music (piano and guitar with vocals) and visuals, they shared their very personal journey with their daughter. This performance was deeply moving. We would love to offer this again.
Note
Due to the costs of our conference, we kindly ask participants aged from 12 – 18 to contribute € 10 per person and 18 and older to contribute €15 per person. This does not apply to speakers and volunteers.