Australian pedorthists attend Guangzhou Rehab Fair in China

A group of ten people from Australia used the opportunity for a visit as part of Guangzhou Rehab Fair China. In addition to the exhibition itself, their tour included a social program and a tour of the clinical and technical facilities as well. Ernie Tye, President of the Pedorthic Association of Australia, reports from the trip.

The tour group with the tranlator: Andries Van Tonder, Nelson and Senya Gonzalez, Craig and Linett Kenna, Karl-Heinz Schott, David Sutton, Howard Smith, Kris Nastevski and Ernie Tye. The tour was organised by Howard Smith from PAA sponsor company Gadean footwear.

The Pedorthic Association of Australia (PPA) first became aware of this conference when Casper Ozinger (now PAA GM) was preparing for the IVO conference in Sydney 2012. The IVO organising committee of 2012 shared website links for each of the 2012 conferences.

Through discussions with PAA member and sponsor Howard Smith of Gadean footwear and the organiser they were offered a stand at the exhibition at no cost. What an opportunity for Pedorthics in Australia to once again stand on a world stage! The Southern Cross University tertiary education centre for Pedorthics in Australia was thought of as a a key promotion. Also Australia’s own Annual International Pedorthic Symposiums (IPS) would get a promotional profile. The time zones for Australians travelling to China are favourable and if it sounds easy and enjoyable to travel to China then Chinese may come down under.

Ten people – eight PAA members and two partners – registered for the symposium and worked on the PAA exhibition booth. The conference was held from Saturday to Monday (28st to 31st March 2014).