It can seem like quite an expense to trek to a conference, spend hard earned cash on transport, hotels and food whilst also missing out on treatment time. However, having travelled halfway around the globe to attend the New Zealand Conference recently, I observed and recorded several major benefits to attending.
1. Inspirational Osteopathic Conferences
Many Osteopaths I talked to over the three day Conference came out wanting to be better Osteopaths. In fact, they came out feeling even more proud of their profession and what they stand for. It was such a privilege to be a part of the whole event and witness the excitement!
Given that many Osteopaths work alone, sometimes in a small treatment room with no other colleagues to bounce around ideas or tricky cases, spending a few days talking shop with friends old and new is a real tonic.
At both this Osteopathic Conference and last year’s iO Convention, I witnessed a real buzz and an excitement with several hundred Osteopaths chatting together.
2. Creating stronger bonds within the profession
Charles Hunt, Vice-Chancellor of the newly named University College of Osteopathy had a chat with me in Auckland about the simultaneous meetings which the Osteopathic International Alliance were holding. What was encouraging was the way in which this group of key individuals were collaborating together to help ‘younger’ member countries to organise and regulate themselves.
At the same time they were also able to decide how to go about further promoting the benefits of Osteopathy with the wider healthcare industry. This will ultimately mean that the entire profession will move forwards together and operate in a similar and cohesive fashion.
3. Learning from Osteopathic leaders and experts
An Osteopathic Conference or Convention allows you to get in front of thought leaders and experts in their fields. Better still there is the opportunity to satisfy your curiosity to know more (one of my favourite qualities in an Osteopath!) and to question those Lecturers further and gain better understanding.
Having a variety of topics within each day means that you can explore many aspects of your skill set too. Here Marcus Daws tells us how he learned new skills which he could put into practice the very next day when back in Clinic.
I urge you to consider attending the next major conference that you can get to, even if that means some additional expense. There is nothing like the buzz in the room of a group of like-minded and passionate individuals ready to learn more, exchange ideas and inspire one another to be the best Osteopath that they can be.
The iO Convention is on 20-22 October in St Paul’s, London and I’m very excited to be there again this year. It will no doubt be the same wonderful Osteo hugfest as it was last year. Finally meeting many Clients and contacts after only communicating online is such a thrill for me!
This year I am very excited to be sponsoring the Principal of the Year Award at Saturday evening’s Gala Dinner. I can’t wait to find out who will win! Afterwards, I’ll certainly have my dancing shoes at the ready too.
Get your tickets here and do come and see me for a chat, some freebies and dip into the sweetie bowl!
