What is the CoMO conference?
The CoMO annual conference is our biggest opportunity to come together as an international network of advocates, make connections, share ideas and learn from each other. Exclusive to CoMO members, the conference is consistently voted as one of the top three benefits of CoMO membership in our annual surveys.
The conference alternates each year between in-person and online, with our in-person conferences rotating between our four regions. 2025 will take us to Africa for the first time: we will meet in the iconic coastal city of Cape Town, South Africa.
Top 5 benefits of attending:
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Network – connect face-to-face with members from around the world.
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Expert speakers – discover the latest meningitis research and health updates.
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Skills – develop your skills and share best practice through training for advacates.
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Plan – look ahead to future meningitis advocacy campaigns.
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Connect – hear personal stories from other advocates, survivors and families affected.
Why attend the CoMO conference?
Who will you meet?
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Confirmed attendees of the 2025 conference already include:
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Members affected by meningitis, including survivors and those who have lost loved ones
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Diverse representatives of member organisations, including CEOs and founders, social media managers and programme directors
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Members from all four regions and over twenty countries.
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Supporting people affected by meningitis by raising awareness, providing emotional assistance, and advocating for better prevention, treatment, and care.
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By fostering support networks, raising awareness, and advocating for better care, we can help the people affected by meningitis to act for better lives.
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By uniting voices, sharing knowledge, and driving action, we can power up the CoMO community to create a world free from meningitis.
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Global networking welcome reception
Join us for a warm welcome to the CoMO Conference 2025. Dinner and drinks will be provided for all attendees. This is a great opportunity to network with other members.
Friday 20th June 2025
Saturday 21st June 2025
9:00am - 9:15am
Welcome and opening
Welcome to Africa and the CoMO members’ conference. Hear from Claytone Musungu, the CoMO Advisory Council chair.
9:15am - 10:00am
Meet-the-room networking
An opportunity for members to meet everyone in the room through a facilitated networking session.
10:00am - 11:00am
Defeating meningitis: where we want to be in 5 years
A conversation with Vinny Smith, CEO of CoMO and Meningitis Research Foundation, covering the CoMO strategy for 2025-2030, followed by a Q&A session.
11am - 11:30am
Take a break
Take part in social media Q&A videos and take part in a demo of the Meningitis Progress Tracker.
11:30am - 12:15pm
Around the world: spotlighting our members
An opportunity to share members’ meningitis advocacy and lived experiences.
12:15pm - 1:00pm
Lunch
Eat at the hotel restaurant and connect with other CoMO members.
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Science update: supporting people living with after-effects of meningitis
Chair and panel speakers to be announced. Hear from scientific experts and members around the globe on the latest scientific updates on the after-effects of living with meningitis.
2:30pm - 3:15pm
Member hive mind: how can we support people living with meningitis?
A breakout session focusing on how members support people affected by meningitis.
3:15pm - 3:30pm
Take a break
Take part in social media Q&A videos.
3:30pm - 5:00pm
Building our collective advocacy: Race to 2030 workshop
Workshop on developing a national plan on meningitis. We will draft messages for national and regional decision makers, explore effective ways to engage with governments and learn from the expertise of global members.
5:00pm - 5:05pm
Day 1 wrap up
A quick summary of the day.
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Saturday night dinner
Dinner at a local Cape Town harbourside restaurant.
Sunday 22nd June 2025
9:00am - 9:05am
Welcome to day 2
Plans for the day.
9:05am - 9:45am
Around the world: spotlighting our members
An opportunity to share members’ advocacy and lived experiences.
9:45am - 10:30am
Act for change: World Meningitis Day
Successes from 2024, hear from our World Meningitis Advocacy Fund recipients and make plans for 2025.
10:30am - 11:00am
Take a break
Take part in social media Q&A videos and a demo of the updated and improved Meningitis Progress Tracker.
11:00am - 12:30pm
Skills masterclass training
Social media training to help build your campaigning capacity.
12:30pm - 1:30pm
Lunch
Eat at the hotel restaurant and connect with other CoMO members.
1:30pm - 2:15pm
Responding to the funding challenge
Vinny Smith shares Meningitis Research Foundation’s experience with fundraising in a high income setting, outlines the CoMO funding policy and what CoMO can and can’t do to support member funding challenges.
2:15pm - 3:00pm
Farewell reception
A celebration of new and long-standing members.
Book your place today
Booking is now available to all CoMO members. If you want to attend, don't delay, as early bird prices are only available until the end of February 2025.
The hotel sits on the beautiful waterfront of Cape Town and is close to the airport. It is within walking distance of the iconic V&A Waterfront and has views to Table Mountain.
Bookings
Self-funded bookings are now open and available to:
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All current CoMO members.
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Up to three people per membership.
Conference fees
Early Bird rate (until 28th Feb 2025):
£400 per person
Standard rate (after 28th Feb 2025):
£450 per person
Please note you will be directed to the Meningitis Research Foundation website to make your booking.
Your conference fee covers:
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Two nights of accommodation in a standard double room and breakfast at the Radisson Red hotel.
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Food and drink provided as part of the conference: dinner on the Friday and Saturday nights and lunch on the Saturday and Sunday.
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Access to all sessions at the conference
I am excited to welcome our members to our 2025 conference, the first taking place on the African continent. The CoMO members' conference brings together global meningitis advocates to network and connect, hear latest scientific updates, take part in training, work together on future meningitis advocacy projects and join in lively debate. It is a timely and crucial opportunity to accelerate progress at the mid-point of the World Health Organization's Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030.
Laura Ross, Head of CoMO