Conferences offer chance for learning, fun for travel therapists

The excitement is building and the opportunity to learn and develop skills and relationships has arrived. Are you ready to take advantage of the educational sessions, tour the expos and network with your peers at conferences this year?

For allied health professionals – such as speech, physical and occupational therapists - these professional development events offer unique opportunities to expand knowledge, meet new people, and learn about the latest advances in the field.

Additionally, attending a professional conference provides traveling therapists with a chance to step back and reflect on their work and look at the big picture. It can be a much-needed holiday from day-to-day activities and routine.

Finally, these conferences offer therapists the chance to network, network, network! One of the greatest benefits of conference attendance is simply meeting other folks in the field and sharing stories, information, and wisdom.

So get out your calendar and mark these “must attend” conferences.

Occupational therapists and assistants

The American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference & Expo, April 26-29, 2012, in Indianapolis, Ind. http://www.aota.org/conference

Why you should attend: This conference offers advanced-level learning in topic-focused pre-conference institutes and seminars. It’s one-stop CE learning with more than 700 sessions and up to 24 contact hours. There’s an exciting opening night at the welcome ceremony and expo reception and attendees will get insight and energy boost from Florence Clark’s presidential address. This is also home to popular special events and wonderful networking opportunities.

Physical therapists and assistants

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) hosts three distinct national conferences each year.