The 2009 Queensland Conference Committee extends a warm invitation to all delegates to attend the AHTA National Conference themed “pearls and pitfalls” being held at the Stamford Plaza, Brisbane, in October 2009.

The Queensland Conference Committee of the National Hand Therapy Conference and AGM of 2009 would like to offer a warm welcome and invitation to all delegates to attend the National Hand Therapy Association Conference in October 2009.

The theme of the meeting will be “pearls and pitfalls”.

This theme was inspired by a desire to present a conference format based on practical application of clinical decision-making and problem solving within the realm of hand therapy intervention.

The conference will showcase exceptional speakers from a wide variety of disciplines offering not only high calibre presentations including workshops, but also offering “pearls and pitfalls” from their years of clinical experience. It is hoped that delegates attending this meeting will return to their places of clinical practice re-inspired and invigorated with a wealth of knowledge and ideas to further enhance the high quality of hand therapy intervention being practised.

The conference will be held in Brisbane at The Stamford Plaza. As one of Australia's fastest growing cities, Brisbane offers unequalled lifestyle with easy access to beaches, parklands and the Whitsundays. The conference will offer an exciting and interesting social program including a much anticipated conference dinner on Saturday 17 October 2009 to be held at one of Brisbane's leading restaurants, Jellyfish Restaurant. Brisbane also offers cultural, sporting and recreational opportunities including walking and cycling paths, museums, art galleries, theatres, concert halls and sporting arenas. All the delights of a thriving modern city with easy access to the airport and the Great Barrier Reef, should delegates decide to continue their travels.

Conference themes and highlights will include:

• Practical anatomy labs to be held at the University of Queensland and run by leading Hand and Upper Limb Surgeons to reinvigorate the practising hand therapist.
• Lecture topics including radiology, pain management, fracture management, tendon injuries and overuse conditions.
• Presentations by several colleagues who have undertaken PhD's and will be elaborating on their valuable research.
• Discussion panels will be held with a variety of experts debating topics of interest related to the scientific program, in line with the conference theme.
• IFSHT Past President Margareta Perrson will be facilitating a post conference workshop focussing on soft splinting.

We are confident that delegates will be inspired and refreshed by attending the 2009 conference, as the emphasis will be on innovation, practical application of hand therapy skills, and will also afford delegates the opportunity to liaise and discuss with some of the leaders in the field.

The Queensland Conference Committee would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to all members of the Australian Hand Therapy Association and to any professionals with an interest in managing hand and upper limb injuries to join them in Brisbane at the National Meeting of the AHTA.