Welcome to the 2026 LF Research Retreat!

Agenda - LF Research Retreat 2026
Participant Bios - LF Research Retreat 2026

Venue Information

Hyatt Regency Dulles, 2300 Dulles Corner Blvd., Herndon, VA 20171

Hotel check-in is 3:00 pm

Click to jump to FAQs

Important Conference Information

Presentation Submission

Presentation Submission Deadline is October 26, 2026. LF requests you use the LF Research Retreat Presentation Template.
Please see the Presentation Guidelines for more.

Current LF logos for use on posters and in presentations

LF Vertical Logo | LF Horizontal Logo

See Presentation Guidelines
Download Presentation Template
Submit your Presentation Through Dropbox
 

Reimbursement Guidelines

Download Allowable Reimbursements (Tab 1) & Form (Tab 2)

Pre-Conference Learning Material

Video Learning Material

 
 

CONTACT

Questions? Please reach out to retreat@lipedema.org

LF adheres to ADA policies. Please contact us at retreat@lipedema.org  for any accommodation requests.

Research Retreat

Presentation Guidelines

Presentations are due by October 26, 2026

  • Scope of Your Talk

    • Presenters at the beginning of the conference will present an overview of lipedema. This allows you to jump directly into your research and skip lipedema basics.

    Disclosures

    • Disclose any financial interests or relationships that could influence your presentation or research.

      • This includes funding, compensation, or any other potential conflicts of interest.

      • If you have no disclosures, please state that explicitly on a slide.

    Methods & Study Design Detail

    Include enough methodological detail that the audience can judge how confidently to weigh your findings.

    • Describe the diagnostic criteria or protocol used to identify/classify participants.

    • Specify which staging system was used, if any, and whether staging was clinician-assessed or self-reported.

    • Describe the comparator or control group (e.g., healthy controls, lymphedema, obesity-only, no controls) and how it was defined.

    • Note the depth of tissue samples, if applicable.

    • Describe any model systems used in your research (cell line, animal model, organoid, etc.).

    • Note the statistical methods used and whether findings are adjusted for likely confounders (e.g., BMI, age, hormonal status).

    • If using LF infrastructure, note which source and subset and relevant enrollment criteria.

    Data Reporting Standards

    • Note the sample size (n) of any data referenced, and include this on the slide.

    • Note whether data is published (with reference) or unpublished.

    • Distinguish preliminary/pilot findings from validated results explicitly on the slide — published status alone doesn't indicate strength of evidence.

    • If discussing outcomes, note whether they are patient-reported, clinician-assessed, or imaging-based.

    Patient Data & Confidentiality

    • Do not show identifiable patient images, quotes, or case details without documented consent — including from small cohorts where re-identification risk is high (n < 5).

    • Treat registry and biobank data as confidential research infrastructure; avoid slide content that could enable re-identification of participants.

    Slide Formatting

    • Font size no smaller than 18pt.

    • Ensure images and charts are legible at presentation resolution.

    • Include slide numbers.

    • Use color-blind-safe palettes for charts and figures.

    Logistics

    • We will confirm your talk length individually.

    • Submit final slides in the requested file format by the stated deadline for A/V check.

    • Note whether recording or photography of your slides is permitted, particularly if unpublished findings or patient data are shown.

  • Please submit your presentation to the Dropbox by October 26, 2026 (see above for Dropbox Link).

    Please save and upload with the following naming convention: LastName_LFRetreat_2026.pptx

    Reach out to retreat@lipedema.org if you have any questions or concerns.

  • LF awardee PI's are required to give a presentation at the retreat based on their granted award. 

    Anyone may submit a proposal for a poster presentation. Posters are awarded on a limited basis, so not all proposals will be accepted. Please note, this is in addition to the presentation required by LF awardees.

    Presentations are due October 26, 2026. 

    Presentations should be created utilizing the LF Research Retreat Presentation Template. If you have a compelling reason which will not allow you to use the template provided:

    • Please consider all of the Presentation Content Requirements carefully

    • Use an aspect ratio of 16:9 for your slides

    • Ensure you are using the current LF logo (see presentation template for updated logo and link above).

  • Please contact awards@lipedema.org for questions about presentation content.

    Retreat policy on confidentiality of unpublished data can be found  in the LF Code of Conduct. However, all data  from the retreat should be considered unpublished, and should not be shared. If you are interested in sharing data, you must receive explicit written permission from the author.

Research Retreat

FAQs

  • The LF retreat is a unique opportunity for LF investigators and stakeholders to meet and jointly review the state of the field. Attendance at all sessions and networking opportunities is strongly encouraged.  

    If extenuating circumstances prevent attendance for the full duration of the retreat, please contact retreat@lipedema.org prior to September 1st so that we may plan accordingly. 

  • Our travel agency, Frosch, is responsible for travel arrangements. We will supply them with your name and email address and they will reach out to you from lipedemafoundationgroupair@frosch.com with a traveler intake form.

     
    Once submitted, please watch for a confirmation email from Frosch at lipedemafoundationgroupair@frosch.com with your itinerary options and details.


    Frosch has its own privacy policy for data use and safety:  https://www.frosch.com/privacy-policy/


    Please be aware that attendees are responsible for ensuring their own travel documentation is in order, including valid passports, any required visas, and applicable health documentation required for entry.

  • A 24-hour complimentary courtesy shuttle service is available to/from the Hyatt Regency Dulles, based on availability.

    The shuttle departs every 30 minutes, on the hour and the half hour, from the hotel and the designated locations outside Dulles International Airport.  For more information on where to find the shuttle upon your arrival to Dulles, please call +1-703-713-1234.

    *Guests are to call the hotel for pickup if they are at the airport between the hours of 11:00 pm and 5:30 am.

    *Please review the ground transportation LF reimbursement (see above on this page) guidelines should you require an alternative transportation option.

  • For more information about the hotel and amenities, visit the Hyatt Regency Dulles website.

    Hotel Contact Information:

    Hyatt Regency Dulles
    2300 Dulles Corner Blvd.
    Herndon, VA 20171
    USA

    +1-703-713-1234

    Please use the custom LF Retreat booking link here to secure your hotel room reservation. Do not book through the general hotel booking system or by contacting the hotel directly.

    For any lodging accommodation requests outside of the approved LF Retreat dates (11/2-11/5), you must contact retreat@lipedema.org.

    Hotel check-in is at 3:00pm ET and check-out is at 12:00pm ET.

    Please note: LF will not reimburse for incidental hotel expenses. You are required to keep a personal credit card on file with the hotel at the time of booking to cover these potential charges.

  • Complimentary self-parking will be available for all LF Retreat attendees. 

  • For a full description of “allowable expenses,” please review the LF Reimbursement Policy. All required documentation and receipts must be submitted no later than 12/31/26, along with the Retreat Attendee Expense Report (see above on this page), which can be found on the second tab of the Policy.

    Important notes:

    • LF is paying for lodging from 11/2 to 11/5. Hotel stays outside this range will only be paid for by LF with prior approval from an LF representative.

    • LF will not reimburse for incidental hotel expenses. You must keep a personal credit card on file with the hotel to cover any incidental expenses that may arise.

    • LF will provide reasonable reimbursement for meals while traveling to and from the event, in accordance with the reimbursement policy linked above. Meals, snacks, and beverages will be provided for the duration of the conference.

    • LF does not reimburse for alcoholic beverages. 

  • Meals, refreshments, and snacks will be provided throughout the retreat, as well as during group networking opportunities.

    We will do our best to accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions as indicated during registration. Should you have any additional concerns, please contact us as soon as possible at retreat@lipedema.org.

  • Retreat attire is business casual. Some of our meeting rooms may be chilly, so please bring a jacket, sweater, or wrap. 

  • The hotel provides a business center that is amenable to simple, low-volume services. 

    There is a FedEx Office Print & Ship Center located at 13085 Worldgate Dr, Herndon, VA 20170 (within 2 miles of the hotel), which can support printing needs. Please contact them directly at +1-703-689-0004 regarding hours of operation and the menu of services provided.