Expert Speakers
Dr. Clifford Librach
Create Fertility Centre, Canada
Fertility Specialist &
Reproductive Endocrinologist
Community Panellists
Every journey is unique, characterized by its own set of questions, emotional milestones, and critical decisions. Our National Conference in Sydney provides a supportive environment where you can connect with world-class providers, experienced parents, and surrogates. We’re here to ensure that your path—whether domestic or international—is met with clarity, and expert advocacy.
Event Details
Date & Time:
Sat, 25 Jul 9:00 am
Sun, 26 Jul 9:00 am
Venue:
Sydney Masonic Centre
Address:
Goulburn St, Sydney NSW 2000
Ticket Price:
from $30
–
$60
What to Expect at our Sydney Event?
To provide a holistic and empowering experience, the event is structured around five core pillars of family building:
In-Depth Knowledge
Gain the tools to navigate the nuances of international family building. We cover essential financial planning, realistic timelines, and the development of healthy, lasting relationships with surrogates and donors.
IVF Fundamentals
Discover the latest medical advancements in egg and sperm selection, embryo development, and gain a clear understanding of how age-related factors influence fertility outcomes.
Surrogacy Planning
Gain clarity on the logistical complexities of surrogacy, including the safe transport of genetic material, finding a compatible surrogate match, and selecting the destination that best aligns with your legal and personal needs.
Building Support Networks
Understand the vital role of peer networks, surrogacy professionals, and dedicated post-birth support systems for both heterosexual and gay parents.
Real-Life Stories
Listen to firsthand accounts from parents and surrogates who have successfully navigated the donor IVF and surrogacy process, providing you with a roadmap of lived experience.
Your Ticket Includes:
Morning and afternoon tea, lunch, and drinks throughout the day.
Private one-on-one consultations with select experts to discuss your specific situation.
Access to all speaker sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.
Already have your ticket? Book your free consultation!
Conference Commitee Members
This event is headed by trusted members of the surrogacy community, including:
- Elisa Ricordi
- Amy White
- Felicity Chew
- Adam Zuchetti
- Trudy Urquhart
- David Novella-Reilly
- Sheila Vijeyarasa
Surrogacy & Donor COnception Conference Agenda
10:00 AM –
10:20 AM
Overview Of Pathways to Parenthood
Outlines the differences between domestic and international donor and surrogacy, hybrid options; mindsets required; donor & surrogate availability, friends and family, meeting online vs. via agencies; information sources, timelines
Sam Everingham (Growing Families)
10:20 AM –
10:40 AM
Donor IVF in Australia
walks you through the medical aspects of Donor IVF, surrogate screening, the IVF cycle process, embryo creation and selecting the best embryos for transfer. Are STD test results required? What about sperm analysis? What is PGT-A testing. What about genetic carrier screening?
Dr Hector Georgiou (Virtus Health, Australia)
10:40 AM –
11:00 AM
Canadian IVF Options
Discusses why Australians create embryos in Canada, known and ID release donor options, IVF guarantee programs and hybrid programs where embryos are made in Canada and used elsewhere for surrogacy
Oren Cohen & Dr Clifford Librach, (CReATe Fertility Centre, Canada)
11:00 AM –
11:40 AM
International Surrogacy – Options & Considerations
What alternatives are available when local surrogacy or egg donation doesn’t work for you? Which countries are closed or inadvisable & why? What about donor anonymity? Which are available for unmarried or gay couples? Differences in surrogate contact. How do match times differ? How do costs compare? Are there guarantee programs available? What about insurance? Discusses US, Georgia, Colombia & Mexico
Moderator: Sam Everingham (Growing Families)
Panellists: Mario Delgadillo (Mexico), Carla Maeda (US, Mexico), Marcela Arango (Colombia)
11:40 AM –
12:10 PM
MORNING TEA
12:10 PM –
12:30 PM
Getting the Most from IVF
Why does the US have the world’s best success rates for Donor IVF cycles? Discusses how to get the most from IVF cycles, genetic carrier screening, PGT-A testing, cycle monitoring, how money back programs work, and the advantages of working with independent clinics
Dr Minoos Hosseinzadeh (Fertility Institute of San Diego)
12:30 PM –
01:00 PM
Difficult Journeys – Stories from the Frontline
For many, surrogacy is a long road. This panel interviews Australian intended parents whose road has been tortuous (eg failed adoption, repeated failed IVF, dealing with miscarriage) to discover potential pitfalls, how they coped and what made them persevere. Provides a reality check in regard to timelines and success
Panelists: Brendan, Rachel, Tim, Michael
01:00 PM –
01:20 PM
Surrogacy in the USA
Looks also at US/Mexico hybrid programs
Carla Maeda (Creating Your Dreams, US)
Surrogacy in Mexico
Looks also at Canada/Mexico and Argentina/Mexico hybrid programs
Mario Delgadillo, Nir Keren (Babies Come True)
01:20 PM –
02:10 PM
LUNCH & NETWORKING
02:10 PM –
02:30 PM
Surrogacy in Georgia
Heterosexual married couples commonly turn to Georgia for surrogacy, While shipping embryos is increasingly difficult, the legal process remains attractive
Sam Everingham
Surrogacy in Colombia
Open to male singles and heterosexual couples, this session describes the processes to expect, wait times, exit process, costs and more
Marcela Arango (Family Aims)
02:30 PM –
02:50 PM
Legal Issues for Surrogacy
What is the purpose of agreements, are they legally binding? What should be included in these. Timelines, costs, processes what issues do intended parents need to think about? How does the process differ for domestic vs international surrogacy.
Stephen Page (Page Provan Lawyers, Australia)
02:50 PM –
03:20 PM
Domestic Parent Panel
Singles and couples who engaged in surrogacy in Australia share their journeys, egg donor options, embryo creation logistics, the ups and downs, what to expect and recommendations for those that follow.
Jamie, Luke M, Sam, Luke J
03:20 PM –
03:50 PM
Domestic Surrogate Panel
Surrogates share their journeys, the ups and downs, what to expect , the impact on their own families, expense re-imbursements, expected support during the process and ongoing relationship expectations and recommendations for those that follow.
Eliso, Marlena
03:50 PM
AFTERNOON TEA
04:20 PM –
04:50 PM
International Parent Panel
Parents who engaged in international surrogacy share their experiences
Romi (USA), Thanh (Colombia) Rachel (Georgia) Ben (Mexico)
04:50 PM –
05:05 PM
Embryo, Egg & Sperm Shipping
For those who have made embryos, frozen eggs or sperm, and local surrogacy is not an option, can they be safely shipped? What are the restrictions, costs, paperwork requirements and timelines? Can donor created embryos be shipped? What are the requirements for receiving clinics? Two experienced embryologists discuss
Pam Matthews (EmbryoSafe), Ilona Rose (Growing Families)
05:05 PM –
05:15 PM
Support for Intended Parents
What support does Surrogacy Australia offer for those engaging in domestic surrogacy; What support does Growing Families offer? Insurance, visas, paperwork, program advice, emotional support, logistics, Parenting leave assistance, Centrelink payments, legal referrals, citizenship & passports support.
Anita Fiorenza
05:15 PM –
05:35 PM
The Impact on Families
Young adults born via surrogacy discuss the impact on their lives of surrogacy, disclosure to school mates and wider networks and how they feel about the donors and surrogates who had a role in their creation.
Alyssa & Lia
05:35 PM
