September 2004

Record crowds roam expo, earn CEs at FCA convention

ORLANDO, FLA. - More than 3,200 people crowded into the expo halls of the Peabody Convention Center, wandered the aisles and attended continuing education classes at the national conference of the Florida Chiropractic Association Aug. 27-29.

The event drew more than 2,300 chiropractors and 1,900 chiropractic assistants, as well as licensed massage therapists, x-ray technicians and their families from throughout the United States. They participated in more than 50 educational classes, divided into sessions suitable for continuing-education credits for doctors, CAs, licensed massage therapists and radiographic assistants.

“This year's event set new records and the educational programs received rave reviews, as did the wonderful service at the Peabody Orlando, our national convention home for the past 17 years,” said Debbie Minor Brown, FCA chief executive officer.

The elite sponsors of the event were Standard Process Inc., Breakthrough Coaching, Performance Health/Biofreeze, ECLIPSE Practice Management Software, NCMIC, Scrip Chiropractic Supply, Document Plus and Foot Levelers. Chiropractic Economics was the media sponsor, while Texas Chiropractic College was the CE sponsor. Biofreeze was the convention’s official product sponsor.

Anti-aging, nutrition and coding were recurring themes in many of the sessions. Chiropractic Economics again offered its popular Boot Camp. This year Dr. Dallas Humble kicked off the Saturday half-day session with a program challenging chiropractors to refocus their attention to the growing anti-aging market. Following Humble was Dr. Jeff Lewin of Breakthrough Coaching, who talked to an overflowing crowd on systematizing the chiropractic office. The main thrust of his presentation was on proper coding.

A key attraction to participants was the giant 430-booth expo that offered one-stop shopping for all types of chiropractic supplies, from new and used tables to the latest in nutritional supplements.

Next year the national conference will make itself at home at the Gaylord Palms Hotel and Convention Center near Walt Disney World®. “The one drawback to our event for the last five years has been the lack of physical space to accommodate all vendors and all who wanted to attend the sessions,” said Brown. “We look forward to producing a grander event that will be easier for all attendees and vendors because of the luxury of ‘elbow room’ we will have at the Gaylord Palms. We are excited about National Convention 2005.”

According to Michelle Carmody, expo coordinator for the FCA, attendees can expect “a growth in the quality of the FCA convention, with an atmosphere that sends a WOW through all who attend. The property is breathtaking and offers an amazing experience to everyone.”

Carmody said that next year’s expo will be even larger than this year’s: “Our expo will accommodate 494 [vendors]. Convenience is another big improvement with respect to parking, guest rooms in different themes, a variety of great restaurants, a spa and great shopping under one roof.”

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