Dear Colleagues and Friends:

 

On behalf of the Pedorthic Footwear Association’s Council on Pedorthic Education (COPE) and its Board of Directors, I would like to cordially invite you, your family, and your staff to attend PFA’s 51st Symposium & Exhibition—the largest single educational event in the world solely dedicated to the practice of pedorthics.  This year’s Symposium is November 19-22 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Conference Center in Grapevine, near Dallas, Texas.

 

As pedorthists, continuing education is a critical element to our lifetime professional development. It allows us to provide our patients and clients with the best care and the most cutting-edge products. To this end, COPE once again has prepared an outstanding program of general and breakout sessions, networking opportunities, social events, and post-Symposium courses. The always-popular exhibition at this year’s Symposium is forecasted to break records as the biggest and the best ever!

 

PFA understands that, this year more than ever, it is critical for you to get as much value as possible for your investment in the Symposium. PFA has made a number of enhancements to the Symposium that have allowed us to offer best-in-class pedorthic education and networking opportunities without increasing registration fees—changes such as:

 

• Providing attendees with a slimmer version of the printed Symposium Program. Programs will come with a CD of all speaker presentations. You will be able to purchase a complete print version for $15 when you register. You also will be able to download all session presentations from PFA’s Web site two weeks before and two weeks after the Symposium.

 

• Offering a Spouse/Guest Registration, allowing unlimited access to the exhibit hall,

breakfasts, social events, lunch vouchers, and networking breaks, at a cost of $195.

 

• Offering a free exhibit hall-only pass for entry to the exhibit hall at specific times on Friday and Saturday.

 

• Providing vouchers for lunch purchases from concessions in the exhibit hall on Friday and Saturday instead of the traditional buffet lunches in the exhibit hall. Lunch on Thursday is “on your own,” allowing you to experience the various dining options that the Gaylord Texan Resort offers.

 

While the economy has required us to make some changes to the Symposium, it has not impacted the quality of the presentations or the quality of the speakers. Sessions cover topics such as:

 

• Reading and Interpreting the Prescription: Choosing the Proper AFO for Treatment

• Radiologic Evaluation of the Foot and Ankle

• How to Build a Successful Pedorthic Retail Shoe Business

• Marketing Your Practice

• And more!

 

Hear from leaders in the pedorthic profession, including Dennis Janisse, Robert Schwartz, Cordell Atkins, Donald Hayes, Donna Robertson, and Brett Richey, to name but a few!

 

We have long believed that PFA’s Annual Symposium & Exhibition is a unique and worthwhile experience, not only because of the tremendous quality of the programming and speakers, but also because of the intimate, collegial atmosphere that we promote. This year’s Symposium is a terrifi c opportunity to meet new members of the profession, renew old friendships, interface with some of the pioneers of pedorthics, and speak with some of the most prominent names from complimentary allied healthcare professions.

 

We look forward to welcoming you to Grapevine and to the Gaylord Texan Resort & Conference Center where, together, we will learn from some of the foremost experts in pedorthics.

 

Sincerely,

Dane LaFontsee, C.Ped.

PFA President and Chair of COPE