A few months ago I had the opportunity to attend my first large APA event as CEO—the Victorian Branch Winter Breakfast.

We had more than 250 attendees and it proved to be a wonderful event on a number of levels.

It was a great pleasure to reconnect with so many physiotherapists that I had not seen for some time—friends, former colleagues and many others who had taught me or with whom I attended university.

The opportunity to catch up and to hear their stories was energising, both personally and professionally.

It was also a fantastic opportunity to network with key stakeholders of the APA, including universities, honoured members, accrediting bodies, sponsors and compensable bodies.

The chance to learn from our leaders is another reason why these events are so beneficial.

A highlight for me was seeing keynote speaker Katie Davies present on the importance of physiotherapy involvement in concussion management.

Katie and I are friends and went to university together; to see her present as someone leading the profession was a very proud moment.

This event underlined the importance of making the most of these opportunities to come together to connect and learn.

I’m looking forward to our conference FOCUS24: the business of physiotherapy, to be held in Perth on 31 October – 2 November, where we will see physiotherapists from all around the country converge for one of the APA’s flagship events and enjoy the best that Perth has to offer.

The conference will provide a diverse range of workshops, lectures and panel discussions led by experts in their fields.

These sessions are crafted to ensure that every attendee encounters the latest insights, innovative ideas and emerging trends in physiotherapy.

Keeping abreast of these advancements will be crucial for enhancing the practice of physiotherapy and improving patient outcomes, a core objective of our association.

It will also provide the opportunity to continue to drive our advocacy agenda and I’m particularly looking forward to the panel discussion on referral pathways with APA National President Scott Willis and our medical colleagues—including Professor Mark Cormack, who is leading the federal government’s Scope of Practice Review (pdf).

Leadership development is another cornerstone of this conference.

There will be tailored sessions to help physiotherapists cultivate the skills necessary to take on leadership roles within their organisations.

Topics such as effective communication, team management and strategic planning are essential for those aspiring to manage departments, run their own practices or assume influential positions within our profession.

By participating in these sessions, attendees gain the confidence and competence needed to lead with excellence.

Other sessions will focus on business management and entrepreneurship, covering crucial aspects such as artificial intelligence, practice risk and the workforce of the future.

This knowledge is indispensable for physiotherapists who aim to establish successful private practices or enhance the operational efficiency of existing ones.

The opportunity to engage with physiotherapy leaders from all over the country is not one to be missed.

Sharing experiences and insights with colleagues fosters a sense of community and broadens perspectives, both of which are essential for personal and professional development.

Witnessing the achievements of our peers will continue to inspire and remind us of the profound impact that physiotherapy has on patients’ lives and the broader healthcare system.

If you haven’t already booked your place, I strongly encourage you to do so and look forward to connecting and learning with you at what promises to be an outstanding event.