2017-07-02
The Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau – a division at Wesgro – welcomes today’s launch of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) Congress.
The WCPT Congress was secured by the Convention Bureau and is being hosted by the South African Society of Physiotherapy (SASP) at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 2 to 4 July.
The WCPT Congress is where the physical therapy world meets to share the latest research and practice advances, debate hot topics and professional issues, network and learn from experiences across diverse settings around the world.
Alongside the scientific and educational programme, the CPT Congress is also featuring a lively exhibition hall that includes industry-wide support from a comprehensive selection of global and local companies.
Held every two years, this year’s WCPT Congress is expecting 2 000 physical therapists from 100 countries, along with industry representatives from across the globe, and will have 200 volunteers - principally physiotherapy students from Cape Town and SASP members - on-hand to assist.
“Every WCPT Congress is special but the 2017 congress will be unlike any other. It will be the first time a WCPT Congress has been held in the Africa Region. It will also be the first WCPT Congress to be held in our new two-yearly congress cycle.
“Through extending our knowledge and connecting with colleagues from different cultures and backgrounds we strengthen our profession, advancing practice for the benefit of populations and the individual patients we serve,” said WCPT President Emma Stokes
"There was a time when the meetings industry was solely surveyed on what delegates and organizers would spend during an event. This focus is now shifting to the long-term value or 'legacy' of these events actually achieve for organisers, participants and host communities.
“The Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau has recently developed its Legacy Framework which defines the legacy currency (physical, educational, emotional and socially) for events. Choosing the right currency for a project, establishing timing, identifying beneficiaries and so on will hopeful ensure that events provide a valuable contribution to the local knowledge economy and community," said Convention Bureau Head Conrne Koch.
WCPT and SASP are ensuring that the congress creates a lasting legacy, with a number of outreach activities. Fundraising has enabled 19 delegates from developing countries to benefit from a bursary programme and attend the congress.
WCPT and SASP have partnered with the Shoes2Move! campaign, and are encouraging delegates and exhibitors to donate to the campaign in order to raise much-needed funds to provide disadvantaged children new exercise shoes and engage people in community exercise sessions.
SASP has also collaborated with the WoW! (Western Cape on Wellness) initiative through health promotion activities out on the streets, and are running a Brain Break schools competition to keep children in the province physically active.