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Let’s Go Dutch Additionally I was invited to become Chairman of CAB, a role which I have now accepted. I am following in the footsteps of Gerard Mayne of Spenco Canada, a hard act to follow. Annually FIP organize a “World Foot Health Awareness Month” This year’s special focus is on “Peripheral Arterial Disease”. A conference of this stature obviously attracts top class speakers. From the UK we had amongst others Cathy Bowen,Trevor Prior, Ivan Bristow and Julian Livingstone. From the USA the outstanding Professor David Armstrong, specialist in Diabetic foot care and member of the Vasyli Think Tank. he 20th FIP World Congress of Podiatry took place from the 13th to 15th May in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and since I happen to be a native I thought I would share some thoughts with our friends at The Institute.
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The international flavour makes this a very worthwhile event. Delegates were spoilt for choice with lectures, workshops and the trade exhibition with 56 exhibitors from across Europe and the USA was buzzing over the 3 days the event was held.
This event is held every 3 years and with FIP’s 28 member countries and an estimated 85,000 podiatrists it is an international gathering of increased importance. FIP attracted close to 1000 people in the RAI Exhibition Centre.
The outgoing FIP President, Robert Chelin DPM of Toronto is standing down after his 3 year’s tenure and Janet McInnes outgoing Chair of the Society, in the UK is taking over for at least the next 2 years.
FIP relies heavily on commercial sponsorship and for the last 10 years it has worked closely with its CORPORATE ADVISORY BOARD (CAB) where currently 11 companies make annual contributions to further foot health awareness worldwide.
I was pleased to see several Institute members. Sharon Flint attended not only to learn about Podiatry but also to brush up on her Dutch. Maria Stevens and Belinda Longhurst also enjoyed their Dutch visit.
Canonbury Products has been one of the CAB members since the beginning. Clarks shoes, Algeos and Vasyli International are others familiar to the UK foot care market and co-members of the CAB.
The 2013 congress will be of much interest internationally. It looks like we are keeping this close to home as Spain, France and Germany are all keen to become the host.
Our reason for being there was primarily to meet with European distributors for both Vasyli and our specialist diabetic shoe range, Dr. Comfort.
I hope to see many of you there. Hans Bakker, Canonbury Products Ltd
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