What is Congress?

Congress is the CPA’s signature event delivering premier research, education, business, and networking opportunities. The event attracts physiotherapists, clinic owners, suppliers, and students.

What we look for in a proposal

Engagement and experience are an approach to adult learning that is proven to maximize learning. When submitting your abstract, be sure to select the presentation format that best enables your experience and provides engagement with your audience. Our audience loves peer-to-peer learning, knowing what’s next, being given opportunities to apply their knowledge, and acquiring tangible benefits that can be applied towards professional development, business and relationship building.

Need guidance to draft your proposal? Click below to review examples of submissions that were previously accepted for presentation at Congress. A reminder that all submissions for Congress 2024 should follow the guidelines presented below, first and foremost.

Key Dates

Call for Abstracts Online Submission Portal OpensOctober 11, 2023
Completed Abstract proposals due/Portal Closes (11:59 ET)November 30, 2023
Abstract Proposal Review ProcessDecember 4 2023 – January 5, 2024
Decision NotificationsJanuary 29, 2024
Speaker Acceptance and Agreement DeadlineJanuary 31, 2024
Speaker Bios and Headshots DeadlineFebruary 2024
PowerPoint Presentations DueEarly March 2024
Speaker Registration DeadlineJanuary 31, 2024
Accommodation Booking DeadlineMarch 25,2024

Abstract Formats

The CPA designs education for the person, profession, as well as the practice of physiotherapy, and offers traditional and alternative presentation formats in order to ensure a diverse and interesting learning experience so that content can be accessed before, during, and after Congress. 

Please note: Podium and Poster Presentations are considered to be of equal standing and judged by the same criteria. Where abstracts requesting a Podium Presentation have passed the review process and there isn’t room for them, presenters will be offered a Poster Presentation, where there is more space and plenty of opportunity to interact with delegates.

Abstract Streams (Topics)

All abstracts must address one of the Congress topics for inclusion in the program. When submitting an abstract, please select the topic that your abstract applies to from the list below:

Submission Guidelines and Requirements

The following is general information for abstract submissions. 

Note: Submissions for which any heading section is not completed will result in automatic rejection.

Notification of Acceptance

Notification will be sent to the main presenter by January 2024.

Common Reasons for Rejections

Abstracts did not conform to the specific instructions; abstract submission received after the deadline; abstract was presented in a disorganized fashion; commercial interest or conflict of interest.

Terms and Conditions