IRELAND SEMINAR
Fulfilling Your Family Building Dream
Date: 26 March 2023
For an individual or couple considering parenthood, navigating the family-building process with donors and/or surrogates can be an overwhelming experience.
Add recent global changes, COVID, the Ukraine war, Ireland’s new legislation to recognise parents via surrogacy is changing the paradigm.
Growing Families Dublin seminar will showcase just how you can work seamlessly with local IVF clinics in partnership with internationally renowned agencies to ensure a safe, secure and ethical journey to parenthood.
Now, it is more important than ever to be aware of potential risks and challenges, as well as how service providers are addressing these!
Join us for an interactive ‘Ask Me Anything’ Seminar
Fulfill Your Family Building Dream!!
Sunday 26 March
11.45am to 6.00pm
Ashling Hotel Dublin
What You Will Learn!
A global program of experts, doctors, surrogates, donors, and parents will openly discuss Donor IVF, Surrogacy and Egg Donor Options in the Dublin and abroad.
The seminar is curated to provide the most up-to date information for those starting or on a family building surrogacy / donor journey.
The interactive seminar format provides advice, introductions and answers to questions, no matter where you are in your journey. We cover steps on how to first engagement with professional service providers to taking your baby home.
This event will guide you on:
- Surrogacy & Egg Donor Options by Country
- Medical & Donor Considerations
- Legal Issues
- Parent & Surrogate Panels
One-on-One Consultations:
Included with your ticket is the opportunity to arrange meetings with as many experts from the seminar as you like. Read the profiles on each of our speakers and email us to arrange your consultation meetings.
SPEAKERS
Leaders in their Fields Providing Information on Assisted Reproduction, Surrogacy,
Egg Donation and Legal Process

Dr Uliana coordinated the ground-breaking first international IVF procedure in Ukraine. Dr. Uliana has over 12 years’ IVF experience, performed over 5000 cycles, treated patients from 36 countries and has clinics all over the world.
Mr. Masserman was part of the group of attorneys who assisted Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes in drafting AB1217 which codified the current best legal practices regarding surrogacy agreements in California and was added to the California Family Code as Section 7962.
Dean Masserman, Vorzimer Masserman – Fertility & Family Law Centre, USA


Dr. Jovanovic ranks among the top fertility doctors in Los Angeles. Beyond providing services in Southern California, many patients travel from all over the world to seek his expertise as a reproductive care provider. He is constantly working to find new ways to maximize patient success rates and use the latest technology and optimized treatment protocols.
Dr. Vuk Jovanovic, Medical Director, Tree of Life Center California, USA
Dr. Dixon is the Founder, CEO and Medical Director of Anova Fertility & Reproductive Health which opened in 2016 as Canada’s newest full-service fertility and IVF center. It is home to the first next-generation embryology laboratory in Canada and is a leader in innovation, education, and communication for high quality humanized fertility and reproductive care.
Dr. Marjorie Dixon, CEO & Medical Director, Anova Fertility & Reproductive Health Canada


Helping intended parents to become parents is Dr. Tomicic’s professional goal and joy. Advising those with the greatest want for a baby, who often requiring donor & surrogacy options in their own home or abroad.
Annette has 20 years’ experience specialising in family law. She heads up the Surrogacy & Fertility Law team at Poe Kiely Hogan Lanigan. She is a leading expert in the field and has assisted many clients through the Irish legal complexities of surrogacy arrangements.
Annette Hickey, Solicitor, Poe Kiely Hogan Lanigan, Kilkenny


Monica is open-minded and leads with her heart – the epitome of compassion and fierce advocacy. She has two decades of industry experience and nursing background, there is no such thing as a silly question — seriously, just ask her!
Monica Buehler, Agency Director, Accel Conceptions USA
‘Ask Me Anything’ Dublin Seminar
Fulfilling Your Family Building Dream
Date: Sunday 26 February 2023
Time: 11.45am to 5.30pm
Location: Ashling Hotel, 10-13 Parkgate Street, Dublin 8, D08 P38N
Ticket Price: €25.00 per person
Ticket price includes one-on-one consultation with expert providers post event, lunch, afternoon tea, and complimentary networking drinks and nibbles. The networking drinks provide an opportunity to freely talk with all expert speakers, donor, surrogates, recent parents and children.
Growing Families have 11 years of experience supporting over 3000 singles and couples engaging in international donor and surrogacy arrangements.

Who should attend this Seminar
Heterosexual Couples:
- Understand how age affects IVF success rates, when you should be considering a donor & what options are available at home and abroad
- Understand why the Ukraine is now a dangerous option for surrogacy
- Learn about embryo shipping options, costs and risks
Same Sex Couples:
- Understand the destinations that allow gay couples and singles to engage in surrogacy
- Learn about egg donor selection and what you should consider before making your decision
- Understand the legal & practical issues around travel, birth certificates and parentage
Single MALES:
- Understand the process of using donor eggs or sperm
- Understand which jurisdictions allow a single person to engage in surrogacy
- Connect with singles who have been on this journey
Healthcare Professionals:
- With an interest in third-party reproduction and supporting donors, surrogates and/or infertile singles and couples
Agenda & Speakers 2023
11.45 – 12.15pm
Introduction
An overview of donor IVF and surrogacy options globally, costs, timelines, risks, financial and emotional considerations, medical preparation and support available
Sam Everingham, Growing Families.
12.15 – 12.50pm
Donor & Embryo Creation Options Locally And Abroad
Will discuss the regulated process in Ireland on how to make embryos and your donor options, either IVF clinic or Donor database, what donor availability is like, donor suitability, screening, matching and the process that follows. This will include counselling as well as semen analysis and how to interpret embryo grading.
International IVF doctors will be presenting this session.
Dr. Marjorie Dixon, Anova Fertility & Reproductive Health, Canada; Dr. Vuk Jovanovic, Tree of Life, USA. Dr Karlo Tomicic, Familees, Ireland
12.50 – 1.15pm
Latest Trends In US Surrogacy
Discusses the type of intended parent(s) best suited to programs in the US; variability in program costs, surrogate match times and screening
How can embryo creation & transfer in Cyprus assist with US surrogacy?
Megan Hall-Greenberg, SurroConnections, USA; Monica Buehler Accel Conceptions, USA
1.15 – 2.00pm
LUNCH
2.00 – 2.45pm
Changes In The Landscape – Europe & South America
Experts provide an update on changes and developments in newer donor and surrogacy options; this includes time restraints, timelines and solutions. Countries covered are Greece, Georgia and Argentina.
We also provide an update on the Ukraine situation.
Professional service providers from Greece, Georgia & Argentina will be presenting this session.
Ester Nunez, SudAmerica Surrogacy, Argentina. Dr. Uliana Dorofeyeva, Ovogene; Nana Nadiradze, Reproart Georgia; Dana Magdassi, Kazakhstan
2.45- 3.15pm
IVF & Donor Experts – Ask Me Anything Panel
This is your opportunity to ask IVF doctors from Canada, Georgia and the USA any questions you may have.
This may include questions on: factors affecting embryo quality & success rates, what the pros and cons of pregenetic-testing are or are not, does pregnancy usually happen the first time around, when is carrier screening indicated, will overseas clinics accept UK embryos or any other question you may have.
Panelists: Dr. Marjorie Dixon, Anova Fertility & Reproductive Health, Canada; Dr. Uliana Dorofeyeva, Ovogene, Slovakia; Dr. Vuk Jovanovic, Tree of Life, USA. Dr Karlo Tomicic, Familees, Ireland
3.15 – 3.45pm
Surrogacy Experts – Ask Me Anything Panel
This is your opportunity to ask surrogacy experts from Georgia, Argentina and the USA any questions you may have.
This may include questions on: program costs, the risks in their countries, how quickly a surrogate can be found, does pregnancy usually happen the first time around, or any other question you may have.
Panelists: Monica Buehler, Accel Conceptions, USA; Megan Hall–Greenberg SurroConnections; Nana Nadiradze, ReproArt Georgia; Louise Riding, Argentina
3.45 – 4.10pm
Legal Expert Panel
Surrogacy lawyers discuss the legal issues associated with surrogacy and egg donation abroad. Come ready with your questions.
Moderator: Sam Everingham
Ester Nunez, SudAmerica Surrogacy, Argentina; Dean Masserman, Vorzimer/Masserman – Fertility & Family Law Center, California; Dana Magdassi, Lotus
4.10 – 4.25pm
Irish Recognition of Parentage, Citizenship & Passports for infants via crossborder surrogacy
Annette Hickey, PKHL, Ireland
4.55- 5.30pm
The Reality ‘Ask Me Anything’ Panels
Hear from recent parents who engaged locally or abroad discuss their decision-making process, surrogate relationships, disclosure to family, cultural barriers, hurdles, costs and audience question time.
Christian Bair, Dad via US; Stephen Roberts, Dad via Canada; Louise Burgess, Mum via Georgia.
5.30 – 6.00pm
NETWORKING DRINKS
Enjoy drinks and nibbles while mingling with service providers, speakers and other intended parents on a similar journey to you.
Why You Should Attend Even If You Have Been Before:
Surrogacy & Donor options, wait times and agency capacity change regularly given the high demand. Our events focus on providing the latest information and updates. We constantly review feedback on agencies, risks and other hurdles to allow you to better plan.
So, no matter where you are in your family building journey, these events provide essential updated information + an opportunity to talk with recent parents and older children via surrogacy.
Date: Sunday 26 March 2023
Time: 11.45am to 5.30pm
Location: Ashling Hotel Dublin
Tickets: €25.00
Ticket price includes: one-on-one consultation with expert providers post event, lunch, afternoon tea, and complimentary networking drinks and nibbles. The networking drinks provide an opportunity to freely talk with all expert speakers, donor, surrogates, recent parents and children.
Reviews
Thank you for a great event in Dublin, I enjoyed the day. The feedback is very positive from everyone I have spoken to
Anne
Dublin Conference 2022
I was very pleased with the extent of the advice, guidance and information I received
Fiona
Dublin Conference 2022
I enjoyed meeting with experts and parents
Marg
Dublin Conference 2022
Thank you for the avalanche of information and support
Josh
Dublin Conference 2022
Meet Our Expert Speakers

Annette Hickey
Solicitor, Poe Kiely Hogan Lanigan, Kilkenny
View Profile

Dana Magdassi
Lotus Surrogacy,
View Profile

Dean Masserman
Vorzimer Masserman - Fertility & Family Law Centre, USA
View Profile

Dr Karlo Tomicic
Lead Fertility Doctor, Familees, Ireland
View Profile

Dr. Marjorie Dixon
CEO & Medical Director, Anova Fertility & Reproductive Health Canada
View Profile

Dr. Uliana Dorofeyeva
Director, Clinical Operations, Ovogene, Slovakia
View Profile

Dr. Vuk Jovanovic
Medical Director, Tree of Life Center, USA
View Profile

Ester Nunez
SudAmerica Surrogacy, Argentina
View Profile

Megan Hall-Greenberg
Founder, Surro Connections, Oregon USA
View Profile

Monica Buehler
Agency Director, Accel Conceptions
View Profile

Nana Nadiradze
Lead IP Manager, ReproArt, Georgia
View Profile

Sam Everingham
Global Expert & Growing Families Director
View Profile
Family Members Sharing Their Stories

Christian Bair
Dad via US Surrogate
View Profile

Louise Burgess
Mum via Georgia
View Profile
If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with us via email: Info@growingfamilies.org.