Thank you to everyone who attended the 2025 Annual SMA Conference at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California! It was an impactful weekend of opportunities to connect, learn, and have fun.
We’re thrilled to share that nearly 2,800 attendees joined us – our second-largest conference to date! It was an honor to have individuals with SMA, their families and care teams, clinicians, industry partners, and researchers attend the conference from over 40 countries across the globe.
For those who were not able to attend, check out our Facebook page and Instagram page in the coming months to view the conference photos! You can also watch the recording of the Opening General Session on Instagram.
Conference Overview
The conference really kicked off Thursday evening with our Meet & Greet and the Annual Relay Race. We welcomed all 2,800 attendees to this event and gathered together to celebrate this annual gathering. There were games and activities for kids and families to play, balloons filled the room, along with several Disney Characters. The Annual Relay Race was the main attraction, as a long line of both researchers & clinicians awaiting their opponent with SMA took center stage and garnered tons of cheers and claps. It is also a special way to begin the weekend together and sets the tone for the conference.
Friday morning began with a flurry of activity as our exhibitors and networking area opened, conference workshops got underway, and the Children’s Program launched into full swing. Our opening general session, again welcomed all attendees to conference.
Throughout the conference space, 22 educational and interactive exhibits saw a lot of activity throughout the weekend. The knowledgeable vendors showcased their products, provided support, and offered demonstrations for the community to participate in. It was a busy space all weekend long!
At the heart of the conference were over 60 diverse workshops, offered all day Friday and Saturday. Led by experts and community members alike, these sessions explored a wide range of medical, research, advocacy, and daily-living topics. We’re deeply grateful to every presenter who volunteered their time and knowledge.
To conclude a busy first full day of conference, the Family Friendly Researcher Poster Session, allowed attendees the opportunity to engage with over 30 different posters all prepared by researchers and clinicians to showcase and discuss their latest findings. For those who wanted a more relaxed setting, attendees dressed their pajama bests and headed outside to the outdoor movie viewing area where popcorn was flowing, Monsters Inc. was on the big screen, and surprise guests, Mickey & Minnie joined in their pajamas too! It was a great evening all together.
Saturday continued with the second half of the workshops, where attendees learned together in the pool, on the lawn, and in the meeting rooms. Meanwhile, the Children’s Program was buzzing with entertainers, arts and crafts, games, and nonstop fun. Thanks to our incredible volunteers, kids got to be kids while adults engaged in the workshops.
The Annual SMA Conference is the one time each year when our community truly takes over the host city. To foster meaningful connections, several dedicated networking events were sprinkled throughout the weekend.
Dad’s Night offered a relaxed space for dads to enjoy mini golf, cornhole, refreshments, and time together. The following evening, it was the moms' turn—Mom’s Night featured music, dancing, cornhole, and plenty of conversation.
Adults with SMA and their PCAs also enjoyed a special evening—their largest gathering to date! Meanwhile, teens came together for a lively and fun trivia night.
Creating spaces for connection is what makes this conference so unique. Our Adults with SMA Lounge, held outdoors, provided a welcoming place to relax and connect, while the Teen Lounge stayed active with games, activities, and opportunities for teens to bond throughout the day.
Saturday evening ended at the Disneyland Theme Park where a sea of Annual Conference t-shirts filled the park with our attendees as they raised awareness for SMA, and enjoyed all of the magic the park offers!
On Sunday, June 29, the “It's a Wonderful Life” closing session invited a panel of adults with SMA to answer questions about their experiences, and share messages of perseverance, joy, hardships, and growth. The dates and location for the 2026 Annual SMA Conference were also announced; it will take place from Thursday, June 25 – Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Yacht & Beach Club in Orlando, Florida. We hope to see you there!
2025 Annual Cure SMA Research & Clinical Care Meeting
The Annual SMA Research & Clinical Care Meeting was hosted from June 25 -27 in Anaheim, CA. It offered a valuable opportunity to share knowledge and network among the more than 600 researchers and health care providers in attendance. The meeting also furthered research and care by building productive collaborations—including cross-disciplinary dialogue, partnerships, and the integration of new researchers, health care professionals, and drug companies. Attendees also had the opportunity to network with other members of the SMA community, including persons with SMA, families and caregivers through joint events such as the Meet and Greet and Family Friendly Researcher Poster Session.
The research sessions of the meeting included: the Basic Research Session on Wednesday, June 25, the Clinical Research Session on Thursday, June 26, and the Clinical Therapeutic Development Session on Friday, June 27.
The Clinical Care Session promoted discussion between new clinicians and leaders in SMA clinical care to achieve improved care for individuals with SMA. This year featured several special sessions on genitourinary issues, bulbar function, pulmonary care, and orthopedic management. For the first time, our clinical care session brought together both clinicians and researchers in the afternoon for combined education including a special session on neurocognition in SMA. Attendees were eligible to receive up to 5.75 CME credit hours.
Thank You
The Annual SMA Conference would not have been possible without the assistance of our fantastic volunteers. From setting up decor, working in the Children's Program, preparing, and running games at the Meet & Greet, to many other volunteer tasks, our volunteers were amazing once again.
We extend our thanks to the sponsors and exhibitors who generously supported the 2025 Annual SMA Conference. A special thanks to Biogen, Genentech, and Scholar Rock for their generosity as the Presenting Sponsors of this year’s conference.
