It was delayed four weeks due to the recent ACT lockdowns, but the change affected few of the more than 60 exhibitors on the show floor for the two days of the ATSA Canberra event.
“At the beginning of 2021 we didn’t know if we would be able to hold one ATSA independent Living Expo event, let alone three,” ATSA executive officer, David Sinclair told F2L.
“It was the held at Exhibition Park, (EPIC), which allowed for wide aisle that were important for safe social distancing, with plenty of easy parking and purpose-built seminar rooms,” he said.
Among the new exhibitors were Bedshed, COTA ACT, Eyes for Canberra, Lifestyle Solutions, Meridian ACT, Momentum Sports & Rehabilitation Service, Nurse Next Door, PolySpine, RoboFit, Scope Home Access and Vera Living.
First-time speakers at the seminars included Jamie Cockle from Medifab, Independent Living Specialists’ Silvia Gonzale, Belinda O’Connor from Bioptic Drivers Australia and Melissa Moeaki from the NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission.
“The presentations were well attended and are always a drawcard for the event,” Sinclair said.
Feedback was also positive, including these comments from Facebook: ‘Thanks for an absolutely fabulous two days. As a consumer I learnt lots and now have some great new pieces of AT on order. I was also able to gain wonderful information that I’m now going to collate and share with members in the support group I volunteer with for my disability, FND (functional neurological disorder).’
And: ‘So glad I made the 3.5hr trip to Canberra to attend. I first attended in 2019 and found it to be an invaluable experience, just as I did this year. I am almost certain I will be back to attend many more expos in the future. Thank you again to all involved in making these expos happen, especially during these challenging times.’
Caption: Receiving the award for ‘Best Large Display’ at the expo was Steve Andrew from Dejay Medical and Liz Nade from PolySpine, accepting the award for ‘Best Small Display’, from ATSA executive officer, David Sinclair. The ‘Highly Commended’ award went to ‘Nurse Next Door’.