Back from the IFDM 2010 Conference

I'm back! This was my first time attending an IFDM Conference. The venue was the Wilshire Grand, in downtown LA. I heard that there was between 450 to 500 attendees, from around the world.

I was one of many individuals who had a chance to present to my fellow attendees. My presentation was one of the many breakfast briefings, held during the conference. I presented a summary of the paper entitled, Maximizing Disability Management Through a Virtual "Community of All Practices". Since it was early, the questions I received were after my presentation, once people had had their coffee and something to eat.

I attended as many sessions as I could, I found them to be enlightening. All the presentations that I had the privilege of attending, were presented by individuals who had a passion for what they presented and wanted to pass this enthusiasm onto the audience.

Since this was a green conference, the vast majority of the presenters did not supply handouts of their presentations. Several did place a downloadable abstract of their presentation on the IFDM website, for delegates to view or download.

I met some colleagues from my past, as well as making new friends from around the world who share my passion for the field of disability management. I even met an individual from Australia who read my pre-conference blog entry moments before we ran into each other looking at the "fizzy" drinks (pop to the North American crowds).

I came away knowing that the field of disability management has similar issues no matter where you come from in the world. The big question is, what do we do with all the new found knowledge we have developed from the conference? Who will we share it with, who should we share it with, and how best to go forward to further develop the field of disability management?

The next conference will be held in London in 2012, I might just see you there.....