This document summarizes a virtual conference called World OT Day that was organized to support the development of occupational therapy internationally through knowledge sharing. The conference was planned over 4 months and involved a team of 6 members delivering 24 hours of presentations over 30 virtual classrooms to over 1000 participants from 30 countries. The conference allowed for real-time networking and connectivity across different locations. Participants found value in the discussions and insights from people in different parts of the world. Lessons from the conference emphasized keeping the event lean and harnessing appropriate technologies while maintaining simplicity.

1. Angela Hook, Sarah
Bodell
Directorate of Occupational Therapy
School of Health Sciences
University of Salford

3. Why?
To
Support the development of occupational therapy
internationally, through global knowledge transfer and
co-creation of evidence based practice.
But
World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress
only every 4 years
And
It it is EXPENSIVE
So
Technology could bridge that gap.

4. Our Model
(it looks simple)
0 1 4 5 6 24 30 1000

5. 0
Zip
Nada
Nothing
Nought
Nix
Niete
zilch

6. 1 Vision
Free
knowledge
sharing

7. 4 Months
Planning
To
Delivery

8. A total of 5…
Team meetings via
Collaborate and Skype

9. 6 Team Members

10. 24…..
 Hours
Presenters (at least)
Virtual classrooms

11. 30
30 countries represented including…
NZ, UK, US, Canada, HK, Australia Iceland,
Turkey, Estonia, Chile Spain, Portugal, Norway,
Israel, Afghanistan, the Seychelles, South Africa,
Germany, Philippines, India, Japan.

12. 1000+
Participants over 24 hours (some
were groups)
Attending from work and home; at
University; in a car…
Sessions are archived on our
webpage

13. Impact?

14. Connectivity
Happening in real time
It was great to be able to
network in real time - all
the advantages of a
normal conference
without the jetlag and
cost!
And afterwards
Are you on Facebook?

15. Challenging traditions
Accessibility is really important for professional bodies
and conference organisers to consider. What I loved
about World OT Day was the range of different places
around the world that delegates came from. Sure that
can happen at face to face conferences too, but the ease
and cost of a virtual event are big factors to make us do
more of this.
Matthew Molineaux.

16. Empowering the profession,
globally
“The thoughts and discussions stimulated by the
presentations and the insights from people one
wouldn't usually get to "talk" with. The sense of unity
across the world of the commitment to occupation and
enthusiasm for our profession - this came from
speakers and audience”

17. Lessons for us.
Keep it lean
Harness appropriate technologies but keep it simple
Use your connections strategically
Passion is required, skills can be developed
Harness social media
Recycling is good – don’t reinvent any wheels
Fun is important

18. Thankyou 