2026 Spring Conference

The 2026 APTA Iowa Spring Conference will be hosted at Curate in Des Moines on April 15-16.

Agenda

Below is the schedule of conference activities.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15

12:00 – 1:30 PM | AI for IA: An Introduction to Artificial Intelligence for Iowa Physical Therapists (1.5 CEU's available)
1:30 – 1:45 PM | Break
1:45 – 3:45 PM | AI-Powered Health Literacy and Patient Activation: Transforming Chronic Disease Management in Geriatric PT Care (2 CEU's available)
4:00 -5:00 PM | Legislative Update (1 CEU available)
Join us for a FREE training prior to the Student Advocacy Dinner—perfect for anyone heading to the social!
5:30 - 7:30 PM | Student-Run Legislative Reception
Ken’s Speakeasy

THURSDAY, APRIL 16

7:30 – 8:00 AM | Registration
8:00 - 8:30 AM | Testing principles for a mechanosensitive nervous system
8:30 – 10:00 AM | Lab: Upper limb neurodynamics
10:00 – 10:30 AM | Break & Poster Presentation
10:30 – 12:00 PM | Lab: Trunk and lower limb neurodynamics
12:00 -1:15 PM | Annual Meeting, Lunch & Awards
1:15 – 1:45 PM | Treatment Principles for a mechanosensitive nervous system
1:45 – 2:30 PM | Pain neuroscience education
2:30 – 3:15 PM | Lab: Trunk and lower limb neurodynamic treatment
3:15 – 3:30 PM | Break & Poster Presentation
3:30 – 4:45 PM | Lab: Upper extremity neurodynamic treatment
4:45 – 5:00 PM | Time for questions and wrap-up

(7 CEU's available if attending the full day on Thursday)

Speakers

Meet this year's speakers!

Adriaan Louw, PT, PhD

Adriaan earned his undergraduate, master’s degree and PhD in physiotherapy from the University of Stellenbosch in Cape Town, South Africa. He is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, teaching pain science. Adriaan has taught throughout the US and internationally for 25 years at numerous national and international manual therapy, pain science and medical conferences.

He has authored and co-authored over 130 peer-reviewed articles related to spinal disorders and pain science. Adriaan completed his Ph.D. on pain neuroscience education and is the Director of the Therapeutic Neuroscience Research Group – an independent collaborative initiative studying pain neuroscience. Adriaan is a senior faculty, pain science director and vice-president for Evidence in Motion.

Kenneth L Miller, PT, DPT, PhD, FNAP

A board-certified geriatric clinical specialist, advanced credentialed exercise expert for aging adults and credentialed clinical instructor from APTA. Dr Miller is an associate professor and Geriatric Residency Program Director at the Medical University of South Carolina in the division of Physical Therapy. His clinical focus is on best practices for use with the older adult population.

He has spoken nationally and internationally on topics of gerontology including pharmacology, primary prevention, frailty, outcome measures, best practices, and pain management for the older adult. He is currently involved in research regarding student and early professional physical therapist’s mental health, resilience, and burnout.

Kaelee Brockway, PT, DPT, EdD

She has been in academia for six years and earned her Doctorate in Education in 2023. She serves as lead instructor for Geriatrics, Cardiovascular and Pulmonary, Differential Diagnosis, and Patient Care Management. With 12 years of experience across 13 clinical and non-clinical settings, Dr. Brockway has held leadership roles with APTA Michigan, the Michigan Physical Therapy Political Action Committee, and APTA Geriatrics, and has served in the APTA House of Delegates. An APTA Emerging Leader, she is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy (GCS) and serves on the ABPTS Committee of Content Experts.

She also holds A-CEEAA and CHSE certifications. Dr. Brockway is the primary author of “Special Considerations for Exercise in Older Adults” and has published work on HIIT for chronic disease management. Her research focuses on exercise prescription for chronic disease and the use of AI in physical therapist education.

Suzie Ryer, PT, DPT, GCS, CEEAA

She is the Service Line Director for Senior Services and Integrative Medicine at Advocate Health. Dr. Ryer is a board-certified geriatric clinical specialist and leads geriatric program implementation across a large health system with an emphasis on fall prevention and emergency department care. Dr. Ryer has served on multiple national expert panels and task forces including the American College of Emergency Physicians Geriatric Emergency Department Guidelines Workgroup to standardize practice and guidelines around the care of patients presenting to the emergency department after a fall.

She has created interdisciplinary fall prevention and mobility programs to improve clinical outcomes and combat hospital-associated disability and readmission. Dr. Ryer has published multiple articles on topics related to community fall prevention and care in the geriatric emergency department as well as presenting at state and national conferences.

Joyita Sarkar, Ph.D

Joyita Sarkar is a Ph.D. researcher at Iowa State University whose work explores how small business owners and practice operators can use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to streamline operations, strengthen communication, and remain competitive in a rapidly changing landscape. Through her initiative, AI for IA, she works directly with Iowa business owners and entrepreneurs to make generative AI tools accessible, practical, and approachable, without requiring a technical background.

Her workshops and applied research bridge technology and community, helping professionals build real confidence with AI as a partner in their work, not a replacement for the human relationships at the heart of what they do. At this session, Joyita brings that same practical, people-first approach to physical therapy practice owners and clinicians ready to understand what AI means for their work and how to evaluate it on their own terms.

Conference Venue

Hotel Recomendations

We do not have a designated hotel room block, but we suggest the following hotels.

Pricing

LIFETIME MEMBERS

Wednesday Only: $75
Thursday Only: $100
Two-Day: $120

REGULAR MEMBERS

Wednesday Only: $120
Thursday Only: $175
Two-Day: $275

STUDENT MEMBERS

Wednesday Only: $45
Thursday Only: $70
Two-Day: $95

NON-MEMBERS

Wednesday Only: $170
Thursday Only: $220
Two-Day: $335

BUSINESS LUNCH ONLY

All registration types: $30

EXHIBITOR AND SPONSOR DETAILS

Join us as an exhibitor or sponsor! We would love to connect you with our attendees and members.

Download Exhibitor and Sponsor Brochure

Exhibitor Information

Regular Conference Exhibitor - $550

Two-Day Booth (Wed-Thurs)
One 6ft table, with table cloth, skirting, two chairs and wastebasket
One-time use digital set of APTA Iowa Membership mailing labels

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EXHIBIT DETAILS

Times to exhibit and meet with conference attendees for regular exhibitors will be on Wednesday, April 15th.

SETUP

Wednesday (April 15) - 10:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY EXHIBIT TIME

Set-up 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Afternoon Break: 1:30-1:45 p.m.

Afternoon Break: 3:45- 4:00 p.m.

Sessions Adjourn: 5:00 p.m.

Join us for our Legislative Reception at Ken's Speakeasy from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Connect with our fellow attendees in a relaxed setting—an excellent opportunity to build relationships and expand your network as an exhibitor.

THURSDAY EXHIBIT TIME

Breakfast & Registration: 7:30 - 8:00 a.m.

Morning Break and Poster Presentations: 10:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Afternoon Break and Poster Presentations: 3:15- 3:30 p.m.

Sessions Adjourn: 5:00 p.m.

TEAR-DOWN

Thursday (April 16) - After 4:45 p.m.

BOOTH CONFIGURATION

Fee includes a 6 or 8 ft. table with table cloth and skirting, two chairs and wastebasket.

ELECTRICAL AND OTHER SERVICES

When you register, please indicate whether you will need electrical or other services including shipping.

Sponsor Information

Student Conclave Sponsor - $1,000 (One Available)

Signage recognizing your company at the event
Recognition (logo) on the APTA IA website, registration page and emails to students
One social media post on Facebook and LinkedIn (can include educational information; not promotional)
One promotional email to all student members of APTA IA
One set of mailing labels for all APTA IA student members
Option to provide welcome/opening message to attendees of the student conclave (3-minutes; in-person or via video)
Exhibitor space at 2026 Spring Conference

Course Sponsor - $1,000

Recognition (logo) on the APTA IA website, registration page and conference related emails
One social media post on Facebook and LinkedIn (can include educational information; not promotional)
One promotional email to all members of APTA IA
One set of mailing labels for all APTA IA members
Option to provide welcome/opening message to attendees of sponsored session (3-minutes; in-person or via video)
Exhibitor space at 2026 Spring Conference

Name Badge Sponsor - $500 (One Available)

Exclusive sponsor of the APTA IA Conference name badges (given to each attendee)
Logo highlighted on the front of each name badge for all conference attendees
Recognition in conference promotional materials including registration website and emails

A/V Technology Sponsor - $1,500 (One Available)

Signage recognizing your company at the event
Recognition (logo) on the APTA IA website, registration page and emails to attendees
One social media post on Facebook and LinkedIn (can include educational information; not promotional)
One promotional email to all members of APTA IA
One set of mailing labels for all APTA IA members
Exhibitor space at 2026 Spring Conference

Payments

Payment must be received at the time of registration.

CANCELLATION

Notification of withdrawal by an exhibitor must be in writing and postmarked seven days prior to the first day of the conference. After that date a cancellation penalty will be assessed equal to one-half the exhibit fee. No refunds will be granted after the conference begins.

Terms & Conditions

SPACE ASSIGNMENT

We ask that you inform us of any special requirements we should consider in making booth assignments. Every effort will be made to satisfy your needs consistent with the overall needs of the conference. Wherever possible, it is our policy not to place exhibitors of similar products together. We do suggest that you submit your space reservation as early as possible.

SHIPPING INFORMATION

Due to limited storage space at the conference venue, we require notification of incoming shipments and storage needs and reserve the right to refuse any shipped goods. Please notify the APTA Iowa office of all shipped packages. Note that the delivery will be declined and returned to sender if APTA Iowa is not aware of its arrival.

You will be responsible for packing, labeling and shipping your own outgoing materials following the meeting. Neither APTA Iowa, the conference venue, or persons affiliated with the meeting assume responsibility for storage or mailing of outgoing materials and do not accept financial responsibility for any damaged or stolen equipment.

EXHIBIT CONDUCT

The rights and privileges of an exhibitor shall not be infringed upon by any other exhibitor. APTA Iowa reserves the right to restrict or order the removal of exhibits deemed objectionable. This restriction includes articles, conduct of exhibitor representatives, printed matter or any other material or activities detrimental to the good order and conduct of the conference and its exhibits. The Executive Committee of the APTA Iowa Board of Directors will be the final arbiter.

INSURANCE AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Exhibitors must provide their own property and liability insurance. APTA Iowa and the conference facility, or any of the officers, staff, members or directors of either of the aforesaid parties, will not be responsible for any loss, injury or damage whatsoever or however arising which may occur to an exhibitor or their agents or employees or to their property or wares, arising from any cause whatsoever prior, during or subsequent to the period of this exhibit. Each exhibitor, by applying to exhibit, expressly understands that they release the aforesaid parties from any and all claims for any such loss, injury or damage.