About Moms' Night Out
Treat yourself to some time away with other moms who get it!
In the 18 years since my son was diagnosed with type 1, I have attended dozens of diabetes conferences and events. Now I’ve taken the best elements from those events and created a brand new experience. We’re going to have lots of diabetes technology for you to see and learn about, stress-relieving social time where you can meet other moms just like you, and speakers who will leave you feeling energized and ready to face the challenges of parenting a child with T1D.
Want more info? Read about us on Beyond Type 1.
Can’t want to see you there,
Stacey Simms
ps. Can’t make it to Minneapolis? Check out our other upcoming cities here
What To Expect
Full schedule below (see FAQs)
Exhibitor fair
Learn about the latest in insulin pumps, CGM, and meter technology as well as diabetes management options.
All attendees will receive a swag bag full of freebies
Cocktails & Crafts: engage in a fun, hands-on activity while you get to know other moms. Enjoy signature cocktails and/or non-alcoholic drinks.
Dinner is included
Meet new friends and catch up with those you already know around a great meal you don’t have to cook (or carb-count)
Coffee and breakfast Saturday morning, plus a T.E.A party!
Our speaker Saturday morning will send you home with practical advice to address the unique challenges we moms face.
New for 2025! This isn’t just your average tea party. It’s a time for T.E.A.—Thoughts, Emotions, and Actions. Don’t worry—it’s going to be easy, light, and fun. Plus, there’ll be actual tea (and light refreshments, of course).
Speakers
Friday Opening Keynote: Patrick Mertes
Patrick Mertes was diagnosed with type 1 at age nine. His grandfather also lived with T1D, having been diagnosed as an adult. In 2019, Patrick and Michael Shelver, who also lives with type1, completed a 16,000-mile trek to climb up to the 50 highest points across America in as many days, officially known as Project 50-in-50. Patrick and Michael have continued their adventures. In 2024 they completed “R2R2R” (Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim) – an ultra running challenge at the Grand Canyon: 44 miles total, roughly 11,400’ in elevation gain, all in one day.
Patrick is also the founder of The Diabetes Family Connection, a North Carolina-based non-profit that provides camp and other programming for families touched by type 1. He currently lives outside of Nashville with his wife and three young children, who can often be found joining their dad on outdoor adventures.
Saturday panels:
Ask Me Anything!
Terra, Benny, & Laura will answer ALL of your diabetes questions!
Terra Clausen is a diabetes educator with 8 years clinical experience and nearly seventeen years as a mother of a Type 1, diagnosed at 20 months. She is passionate about caring for all navigating this disease, meeting patients and families where they are at in their journey.
Laura Grams has had Type 1 Diabetes for 25 years. She says, “When I was younger, my doctors would ask me to check my blood sugars 4 times a day and take insulin before eating. I remember asking them, “do you do that?” I made it my goal to become a diabetes educator, RN, CDCES, so I can relate to my patients’ struggles and help them find healthy coping strategies.”
Stacey will also lead a panel on T1D, kids & independence
Stacey & others will talk about raising kids with type 1, the journey to diabetes independence, and educating around the use of emergency glucagon.
Check-In with our Experts
A check-in at Moms’ Night Out is your chance to sit down with an endocrinologist or diabetes educator and “check-in” with any questions you may have about T1D management. You should always bring any management changes to your child’s healthcare team, but these consultations will be reassuring and helpful.
When check-in signups open, an email will go out ONLY to those registered for that city. Slots are limited and will go quickly.
Allison Nimlos, LMFT, CDCES
Allison Nimlos is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist in private practice in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. As a therapist, Allison works with adults, couples and families residing in Minnesota on the impact of diabetes and other chronic illnesses on mental health. Allison is also the co-founder of the virtual Diabetes + Mental Health Conference, which will take place in May 2026. As a CDCES, Allison supports clients worldwide with diabetes management and building supportive habits.
Allison has lived with type 1 diabetes for nearly 30 years. She is married, has two children and is currently
pregnant with her third.
Heather Lage, RN, CDCES
Heather Lage is an RN, CDCES with Park Nicollet in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. She has 20 years of extensive experience working in diabetes self-management education and diabetes research with both pediatric and adult patient populations. Heather also happens to be the mom to two, now grown, “kids” with T1D.
The Venue
Embassy Suites by Hilton Minneapolis Airport is within five minutes of the Mall of America and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport via our free shuttle. Discover downtown Minneapolis draws such as Target Field, Orchestra Hall, and US Bank Stadium by catching the light rail just yards from our door.
About Your Host
Stacey Simms is the host of the long-running and award-winning podcast, Diabetes Connections. She is the author of “The World’s Worst Diabetes Mom, Real-Life Stories of Parenting a Child with Type 1 Diabetes,” and the upcoming “STILL The World’s Worst Diabetes Mom.”
Stacey’s son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just before he turned two, back in 2006; she’s been sharing her family’s experience with T1D ever since.
She has been featured in almost every diabetes publication and outlet including: Diabetes Self-Management and Diabetes Forecast magazines, Beyond Type 1, JDRF, Diabetes Daily, Healthline, DiaTribe, T1D Everyday Magic and more.
Contact Us
FAQs
This is a conference designed for mothers of children with diabetes, with a focus on type 1. We will not turn any adult in the diabetes community away, but all of our programming is geared to moms. Please, no children in the conference space, this is meant to be a relaxing kid-free respite.
Friday:
4pm Doors open, get your swag bag!
4-6:30pm Vendor Fair
4-6:30pm Check-Ins with educators (advance signups)
5-6:30pm Cocktails & Crafts
6:30pm Dinner & Opening keynote
8pm – Socialize and hang out!
Saturday:
9am Coffee & Breakfast
9:30am Panel
10:30 Closing keynote
12:00pm T.E.A. Party (light refreshments)
Relax & socialize before you head back home
Event ends approx 1:30pm
No, but we urge you to do so! Part of the fun (and learning) at this conference is about being away from your children with diabetes, something we moms rarely get to do. Staying at the hotel is not required, but there will be informal socializing there after dinner and in the morning that you won’t want to miss.
No. The only groups that are allowed to hand out literature and/or demonstrate products are those with an agreement with us. There are lots of lower-cost options. Please let us know if you’re interested.
We’d love to take this show on the road! Reach out at info@diabetes-connections.com and let us know where we should go next!
