Serene Pickens, Lovell Harp, Genieva Galloway & Sharon Hunter
Front: Angela Bueno, Cory Rivers & Stephanie Logan
Back: Danny Holt, William Bechwell & Kurt Goodman
Christian Wilson & David White
Roger King & Gary Barber
Zim Overstreet & Michele Bradley
Laura Reeves & Cathy Robinson
T
he OASIS Florida 2018 Positive Living Conference was held September 14-16 at
The Island Resort on Okaloosa Island. The 21st annual conference was presented by
the Fort Walton Beach-headquartered 501c3 non-profi t organization.
Positive Living 21 is regarded as the nation’s largest consumer-focused conference
with an annual attendance of approximately 450 people and draws attendees from across the
country with 95% of attendees currently living with HIV. Positive Living now remains as the
only such conference in the United States. Due to long standing relationships with leading
experts in the fi eld of HIV/AIDS each year, the faculty is comprised of world class presenters
providing workshops in the areas of research, promising soon to be available medications and
treatments, and through the progress in vaccine research, complimentary therapy options,
improving wellness and quality of life with nutrition, yoga, meditation, laughter therapy, stigma
reduction, as well as providing skills to become a better advocate for one’s physical, mental, and
sexual health.
Yearly post conference and follow-up attendee evaluations constantly refl ect the theme
of Positive Living being a life-changing experience unlike any other experience. Thanks to
fundraising efforts throughout the year, as well as sponsorships, waived speaker fees, below
market hotel pricing, in-house production of materials, and volunteer staffi ng, OASIS Florida
is able to make this exceptional conference - including two nights lodging, all meals, workshops,
and materials - available to HIV-positive persons for a greatly reduced rate.
Positive Living 21
photos & story by
Zhalman Harris
VIP Destin at The Island
96 | VIPDestinMagazine.com
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