Expert Speakers
Guest Speakers
Event Details
Date & Time:
Sat, 15 Nov
Venue:
Rydges Fortitude Valley
Address:
601 Gregory Ter, Bowen Hills QLD 4006, Australia
Ticket Price:
$60
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Join us for a one-day event designed to bring clarity to the complex world of international surrogacy and donor IVF. Hear from experts, connect with global providers, and get the trusted guidance you need to take the next step with confidence.
Why Attend?
Surrogacy and donor IVF are complex; legally, emotionally, and logistically. With so many countries, clinics, agencies, and legal frameworks to consider, it’s hard to know where to begin, who to trust, or what’s right for your situation.
This event brings clarity to the complexity. You’ll:
Speak with Global Surrogacy Experts
Engage directly with experienced surrogacy and IVF professionals, legal specialists, and agency leaders who’ve supported thousands of successful journeys.
Gain Insights from Real Parents and Surrogates
Discover firsthand experiences from those who’ve built families through surrogacy and donor IVF—real stories that reveal what to expect and what to consider.
Understand the Options
Available to You
Break down the pros, cons, and legal requirements of international programs to find the approach that best suits your needs and goals.
Sidestep Costly Surrogacy Pitfalls
Learn from others’ challenges to make smart, informed decisions that help you avoid delays, unexpected expenses, or emotional setbacks.
Build the Right Connections
Meet trusted providers and like-minded intended parents who can support you with shared experience and professional expertise.
Get Tailored Answers
Take advantage of expert-led Q&A sessions and personal conversations to get the clarity you need for your unique situation.
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.
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
09:30 AM –
09:50 AM
What to Consider in Choosing a Path
Starting your family through surrogacy or egg donation comes with important decisions. What pathway is appropriate for my situation? This session explores global options, key considerations, and what to expect in terms of costs, timelines, risks, and resources. Discusses vital issues in regard to success rates, timelines, availability, emotional, cultural and practical considerations We’ll also walk you through the agenda to help you get the most out of the day.
Sam Everingham, Growing Families
09:50 AM –
10:15 AM
IVF in a Donor & Surrogacy Context
Egg & sperm donor options & key considerations; Using a known vs. recruited donor
Donor preparation; Surrogacy; Queensland’s legal framework; Counselling requirements; your child’s rights and more
Dr Meghan Stafford, QFG Australia
10:15 AM –
10:45 AM
Surrogate Matching in Australia
How does surrogacy actually work in Australia? How do I find a surrogate? If a friend or family member offers, how are they screened and supported? Can they be in a different state? What is the experience like for surrogates? What motivates them to help? How commonly is the surrogate also the egg donor? What are the counselling requirements? What support is available? Four local surrogates discuss
Panellists: SJ Clacker, Nikita Pearson, Anna Kerr, Emma Woodward
10:45 AM –
11:05 AM
Important Considerations in selecting an Overseas IVF clinic
What should international patients look for; Why is medical screening so important? What are the typical issues that are red flags/ rule out a surrogate or donor? What is genetic carrier screening and how popular is it? Do international clinics insist on PGT-A testing? How are success rates measured?
Dr. Rahi Victory, Victory Reproductive Care, Canada
11:05 AM –
11:35 AM
MORNING TEA
11:35 AM –
12:00 PM
Surrogacy in Georgia
What are the regulations? How are donors and surrogates screened and supported? What donor ethnicities are available? Why do surrogates come from other countries? How do I know my surrogate is being well looked after? Is there a legal process transferring parentage?
What timelines should I expect?
Anastasia Polonska (Silk Medical),
Sophie Ukleba (ReproArt)
Surrogacy in the US
How do you choose between the scores of agencies available? What level of contact should you expect? What’s included in agency fees? Where do agencies differ on value and transparency. What to budget for surrogate matching & compensation. What other factors impact costs? Why are fixed cost programs becoming so popular?
Lauri De Brito, Hatch Surrogacy
12:00 PM –
12:20 PM
Donor Egg & Donor Embryo options
How does altruistic egg donation work in Australia? How can Egg Donation Australian facilitate this? What should I be looking for in a donor? How are expenses re-imbursed? What relationship do altruistic donors expect? Does my egg donor need to be in the same state? Are donor embryos an option? Are some clinics better to work with?
Mel Sharman, Egg Donation Australia
12:20 PM –
01:00 PM
Domestic Family-Building Journeys
Parents via local gestational or traditional surrogacy discuss their journeys, what they had to overcome and how they navigated the barriers
Caroline Struthers, Alex Perchard, Hannah Romanin, Menaka Sabaratnam
01:00 PM –
01:40 PM
LUNCH
01:40 PM –
02:10 PM
International Parent Journeys
Recent parents discuss decision-making, surrogate relationships, disclosure to family, Differences in medication regimes; cultural barriers; hurdles along the way, legal parentage, costs and a myriad of audience questions
Panelists: Suzarn Pietersen (via Georgia); Christian (via Georgia); Cameron Green (via Canada)
02:10 PM –
02:30 PM
Midwife Support for Surrogacy Births
A midwife and two doulas with experience of surrogacy births discuss dealing with hospitals in relation to protocols, what support a doula offers, why they are increasingly popular and how your team can best prepare for a momentous event
Rachel Kunde
02:30 PM –
02:50 PM
Hybrid Programs in Colombia & Mexico
Embryos can be made in one country and used for surrogacy in another. This is done due to the better availability of donors and quality IVF in some countries (eg Argentina, Australia or Canada) combined with a shortage of surrogates in that location. This session explains the options in some detail and how one company can offer guarantee programs for hybrid options.
Nir Keren, Babies Come True
02:50 PM –
03:10 PM
The Reality – Outcomes for Kids
Local teenagers born via domestic or international donor IVF & surrogacy discuss their lives, disclosure and their sense of self
Moderator: Sam Everingham Panelists: Toby, Mishali, Elijah & Lilly
03:10 PM –
03:25 PM
Supporting Your Journey
Understand how Growing Families Concierge Support can assist, from organising sperm or embryo shipping, choosing providers to suit your budget and specific needs, agency liaison, assistance with crucial decisions, emotional support, organising citizenship, passports, bassinets seats, vaccinations, Medicare and Centrelink connections, milk banks, insurance, cord blood banking, nanny and doula support, ante-natal classes.
03:25 PM –
04:25 PM
AFTERNOON TEA, ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS & NETWORKING
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver
