Expert Speakers
Dr. Clifford Librach
Create Fertility Centre, Canada
Fertility Specialist &
Reproductive Endocrinologist
Dr. Hector Georgiou
Virtus Health, Australia
Fertility Specialist &
Reproductive Medicine Specialist
Community Panellists
We’re returning to Melbourne this March to again provide clear, reliable guidance on surrogacy and donor pathways that can feel overwhelming. This event gives new and returning attendees a chance to explore their options with confidence.
Spend a full day learning from specialists in surrogacy, egg donation and cross border family building. You’ll hear from experts across Australia, the USA, Georgia, Canada, Colombia and Mexico, along with first hand experiences from parents and surrogates who’ve already walked the path.
Event Details
Date & Time:
Sun, 15 Mar
Venue:
Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne
Address:
328 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC
Ticket Price:
from $60
–
Why Attend
This event helps you cut through uncertainty. You’ll gain clarity on legal frameworks, donor programs, surrogate matching, clinic selection, risks, logistics and practical next steps. It’s an opportunity to meet respected providers, ask questions freely and connect with a community navigating similar decisions.
Direct Access to
Experts in the field
Hear directly from leading fertility specialists, lawyers, and agency representatives who have helped thousands of families.
Real Stories from Parents & Surrogates
Hear directly from people who’ve been through the exact journey you’re trying to start. Learn from their experience and improve yours.
Local & International
Options
Get clarity on whether an Australian or overseas program is best suited for you and understand the legalities of each.
Avoid Common (and Costly) Mistakes
Learn what works—and what doesn’t—so you can make informed decisions, avoid unnecessary setbacks, and ensure your journey is as cost-effective as possible.
Networking with
the Right People
Connect with professionals, surrogates, and like-minded intended parents who are on the same path—people who truly understand your challenges.
Personalised
Guidance
Get your most pressing questions answered in dedicated Q&A sessions and face-to-face discussions with experts.
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
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: Nir Keren (Mexico), Carla Maeda (US, Mexico), Marcela Arango (Colombia) Anastasia Polonska (Georgia)
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 the Mexico
Looks also at Canada/Mexico and Argentina/Mexico hybrid programs
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
Anastasia Polonska (Silk Medical)
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, Samara (tbc)
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), Christian (Georgia) 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
