Welcome to your NMOTA Annual Fall Conference:

Building Occupation Into Our Practice!

It is likely that most of you infuse occupation into your areas of practice as easily as you remember to breathe.  However, because meaningful and purposeful occupation is what makes us unique when compared to all other professions, our 2008 conference theme underscores the relevance of continuing to place occupation in the forefront of your goals, philosophy, and service delivery. 

While we may incorporate Ayurveda, Yoga, Sensory Integration, Curanderismo, etc.  into some of the approaches/techniques that we offer our clients, we always make sure that our practice is filled with opportunities to focus on how best to support our clients’ engagement in their daily life occupations. Why? Because we are occupational therapy professionals!

This years’ Annual Conference is filled with opportunities to expand your “repertoire of occupation” with ideas that will inspire and motivate you when you return to work/class on September 15, 2008.  In addition, because your NMOTA Board of Directors fully empathizes with budget constraints, a conscious decision was made to keep conference tuition rates at the same price as last year.  In fact, the only increase in conference prices was a $5 increase in Marriott hotel rooms for our friends who wish to stay on-site or who must drive from outside of Albuquerque. These prices should contribute to your ability to earn a total of 12.5 CEUs (if you attend the Sunrise Breakfast) over a period of one and one-half days  – what value!

New to this year’s conference is the Sunset Soiree.  This Friday night event will be poolside, will have complimentary hors de oeuvres, a cash bar, music, a silent auction, and annual awards honoring practitioners who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in our field.  In addition, political candidates will be invited to attend the Sunset Soiree so that they can learn more about occupational therapy, which will serve us well when upcoming legislative committee hearings and legislation affects our practice.  Also during our Sunset Soiree, unopposed student poster presentations from all 3 New Mexico programs will provide us with the opportunity to learn about projects, programs, and initiatives (this will be a CEU opportunity).  Remember, students are our future and we are so pleased to be able to support them and learn from them as they prepare for entry into the most phenomenal profession on earth.

I encourage you to join us for 1 and one-half days of high quality, inspirational, and motivating discourse, education, and fun!  Remember, occupational therapy gatherings help us with "Living Life to Its Fullest!"

Your 2008 Conference Chair,

gerri

Gerri A. Duran, MS, OT/L, FAOTA