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

XX-XX Event_Positive 1pg.indd   1

9/26/18   5:38 PM