The 2017 edition of the International Seating Symposium (ISS) enjoyed an attendance increase versus its 2015 numbers and now sets its sights on a new venue for 2019: Pittsburgh.
Meghan Wander, continuing education manager for University of Pittsburgh’s Rehabilitation Science & Technology, was manager of the conference held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.
“We came in just below 2,400 attendees,” Wander told Mobility Management. “This included all exhibitors, consumer day attendees, presenters, volunteers, etc. We had representation from 30 countries, all 50 states (and Puerto Rico) and eight of the Canadian Provinces.”
She said the event experienced high numbers of attendees registering on site.
“When we left Pittsburgh to travel to Nashville [on Feb. 26], we had 1,800 confirmed registrations,” Wander said. “We projected to have 2,200 [total registrations], but had an amazing on-site turn out. It was truly spectacular to see, although a little busy at the registration desk at times!”
The 2018 ISS takes place March 6-9 in Vancouver, B.C., and will be presented by Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children and Interprofessional Continuing Education at the University of British Columbia.
The University of Pittsburgh hosts the event in odd-numbered years, and its next conference takes place in its backyard.
“We are psyched to show off our hometown,” Wander said. “While most of the folks on the RSTCE team are not originally from Pittsburgh, we have come to love it as if it was our own. Pittsburgh is no longer the hazy mill town of days past, but instead a city that has gone through significant changes in the past decades. It’s numerous travel and business accolades are slowly turning this location into something special.”
She indicated that the University of Pittsburgh team hopes to incorporate aspects of the city into the conference, which could include holding some sessions at University of Pittsburgh/Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology facilities.
“There are many reasons we are passionate about this field, and we’d like to help grow that same passion is some of our attendees,” Wander said.
