Tips for First-Time Attendees of APTA CSM

By Jim Shearer
Director of Communications

APTA CSM is quickly approaching, and if you’re attending for the very first time, continue reading because I’ve got some tips that will help you maximize your experience at physical therapy’s premiere, and biggest, annual conference. 

To give you some context, I do consider myself a well-traveled conference attendee. Besides CSM, I have also done the music, comic book, video game, and automobile conference circuits. Some of my highlights include getting to interview the creator of Spider-Man, Stan Lee; attending a panel featuring the cast of Breaking Bad; witnessing Dave Grohl talk through his amazing music career during the keynote speech at SXSW; and sharing a conversation with my all-time favorite professional wrestler, Rowdy Roddy Piper. The stars were also aligned when I attended my first CSM, as I got to ride in an Uber with Dr. Carole B. Lewis en route to her annual lecture. Chalk it up to being in the right place at the right time. 

Enough about me, let’s get to you and how to best enjoy your time at CSM this year. 

First, let’s get the vernacular straight. CSM stands for Combined Sections Meeting, a conference held annually by the American Physical Therapy Association. The APTA has 18 different specialty sections and academies that combine yearly for this meeting, hence its name, the Combined Sections Meeting, get it? Physical therapists representing Geriatrics to Pediatrics, Home Health to Acute Care, congregate, talk shop, and attempt to finish the week by amassing more knowledge than what they came to town with. 

Every year there is a different host city. Last year’s was San Diego, and in 2024 the festivities are happening in Boston. Once you’ve figured out your lodging details—and by the way, Boston is a walkable city with great public transportation—let’s figure out how to best prepare for CSM. 

Game Plan 

Life at CSM will be much easier if you come to town with a game plan. For all of you chasing CEUs, make sure that you carefully look at the schedule of Educational Sessions happening Thursday, February 15 through Saturday, February 17. Three sessions happen each day, respectively at 8-10 am, 11 am-1 pm, and 3-5 pm. As we learned on a recent episode of FOX Rehabilitation’s Live Better Longer podcast, don’t feel pressured to overdo it. If you don’t pace yourself accordingly, you may overload the hard drive in your brain.  

On Friday, February 16 at 3 pm ET in Room 206AB, I suggest penciling in Impact of Home-Based Therapy on Hospitalization Risk in Older Adults With High-Cost Chronic Conditions, delivered by FOX’s Jennifer Freda PT, DPT, GCS, CDP; Kaitlin McGeary PT, DPT, GCS; Kira Pushart PT, DPT; and Noelle Alicea PT, DPT, GCS. They will open up this set of shorter presentations, with each group speaking for 10-15 minutes. 

Mary McMillan Lecture 

I think the best way to dive into CSM is by attending the Mary McMillan Lecture on Wednesday evening, February 14. It sets the perfect tone for the week and it’s just a really cool sight, seeing that many physical therapy professionals under one roof.  

For those that don’t know, the opening lecture’s namesake, Mary McMillian, paved the way for women in physical therapy, and formed the American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association in 1921, acting as its first president. (The AWPTA later changed its name to the APTA.) 

The Mary McMillan Lecture is the most highly attended event at CSM and also features the APTA Specialty and Proficiency Ceremony, where newly certified and recertified clinical specialists and PTA Advanced Proficiency Pathways program recipients are recognized.  

This year’s lecture will be delivered by Dr. Judith Deutsch, a professor and director of Research in Virtual Environments and Rehabilitation Sciences (Rivers) Lab in the Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy in the School of Health Professions at Rutgers University. 

Network 

At CSM, you have the top names in physical therapy all together in one place. This is your chance to network. Don’t just stare and point at someone, take the initiative to speak with them. If someone is in the convention center—unless they’re on stage in the middle of a presentation—it’s fair game to engage with them. Physical Therapy experts, pundits, and presenters fully expect to have conversations with complete strangers. Believe it or not, they’ve been in your shoes, too. 

Furthermore, it’s not just about networking with well-known presenters, get to know your peers in the field. Before an educational session, push yourself to say hello to the person next to you, and see how many new friends you can make at CSM. 

PT Fund Celebration of Diversity 

I highly recommend attending the PT Fund Celebration of Diversity. Tickets are $60, but it all goes to a great cause: the minority scholarship fund, which provides scholarships to PT and PTA students and faculty of ethnic and racial minorities.  

While the daily educational sessions may be more formal, this event gives everyone a chance to let loose. It was at a PT Fund event where Dr. Steph Long finally convinced me, after years of resistance, to do The Wobble. By the way, there will be food there, too!  

This year’s event will be held at Boston’s Museum of Science and is billed as an evening of “cosmic exploration.” My fingers are crossed, hoping the DJ plays the Beastie Boys’ “Intergalactic” at least once. It only seems right. 

Enjoy The Host City 

There is a reason CSM changes its scenery every year, so its attendees can enjoy its host city. Whether you’re into music, history, sports, or food—Boston has you covered. Carve out some downtime to check out the Freedom Trail, and if you’re a sports fan, you’ll have a chance to catch a Celtics game on Wednesday or a Bruins game on Thursday and Saturday nights.  

For eating, head over to Hanover Street in the North End. If you’re feeling a little touristy, hit up the oldest spot in the city—the Union Oyster House or go to the Omni Parker House, the inventor of the Boston Crème Pie. For my money, though, there’s nothing better than getting cannoli (yes, there’s no “s” when ordering multiple cannoli) at Mike’s Pastry. There will be a long line, but it’s well worth the wait. 

Main Exhibit Hall 

No matter how many conferences I’ve attended, it’s always an electric feeling to walk into the main exhibit hall for the first time. I recommend doing a walk-thru to take in the sights and sounds, and after you get a lay of the land, figure out which booths you’re going to visit. If you’re looking for a career in geriatric physical therapy, then you must visit FOX’s Supercharge Lounge, located at booth #4036. Not only will we supercharge your career, but we’ll also treat you to a complimentary coffee beverage! 

I also recommend checking in daily with APTA’s booth, although after you see it, you’ll realize that it’s more of a village than a booth. They have a lot of cool things happening throughout the conference, and if you ever have questions about anything, this is the place to go. 

In addition, don’t forget to check out all the poster presentations. Think of these as shorter, more condensed educational sessions. FOX is excited to be part of two poster presentations this year: Poster #1033: Evidence-Based Wellness Program Impact on the Patient-Specific Functional Scale in Senior Living Community Residents, from Allison Cohen PT, DPT, FSOAE; Annie Goldman PT, DPT, NCS; Emily Beyene PT, DPT, GCS; and Jennifer Freda PT, DPT, GCS, CDP; and Poster #1035: Randomized Control Criterion Study Comparing Two Different Older Adult Simulator Suits, co-authored by Vanesa Leverich, PT. 

Carole B. Lewis Lecture 

Finally—and, yes, I am saving the best for last—you have to attend the Carole B. Lewis Lecture. I make it a point to do so annually because Carol is awesome and I’ll go to anything with her name on it, but this year’s lecture will be even more special, because FOX Founder, Dr. Tim Fox, has been asked to deliver it.  

I’ve been lucky enough to get a sneak peek of his presentation, and without giving away too much, I can guarantee you there has never been a CSM lecture like it. Clear your calendars for Friday, February 16, at 11 am ET, and make your way to the Ensemble Ballroom in the Omni Hotel for Dr. Fox’s Carole B. Lewis Lecture, Geriatric Physical Therapy: A New Season of Clinical Excitement, Opportunities, and Clinical Skills Application.