APTA-Mississippi celebrated a highly successful 2026 Fall Conference, welcoming more than 200 attendees and a record number of vendors to the Mississippi Gulf Coast on September 11-12, 2026. Held at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Hospitality Resort Management Center in Gulfport, the conference brought together physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, students, educators, and industry partners for two days of professional development, networking, and collaboration.
The conference kicked off Friday afternoon with vendor exhibits and an engaging presentation by Dr. Kollin Napier, Director of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network, exploring practical applications of artificial intelligence in physical therapy. Friday evening featured a beautiful rooftop reception at the Markham Hotel, where attendees, exhibitors, and colleagues gathered to reconnect, build new relationships, and enjoy the Gulf Coast atmosphere. Students also had the opportunity to participate in a special advocacy dinner focused on professional engagement and the future of physical therapy.
Saturday featured a full day of outstanding educational presentations covering a wide range of clinical and professional topics. Attendees participated in sessions addressing pain science, manual therapy, dry needling, prosthetics, orthotics, pediatric therapy, stroke rehabilitation, sports performance, and practice management. Additional presentations explored leadership, transitioning from clinical practice to academia, and strategies for strengthening the physical therapy profession.
The conference offered up to 15.5 hours of continuing education, including 3.0 hours of ethics, through a combination of live and recorded educational opportunities. The diverse program provided valuable learning experiences for professionals across multiple practice settings and specialties.
A major highlight of this year’s conference was the record participation from vendors and sponsors, reflecting strong industry support for physical therapy professionals throughout Mississippi. Attendees had numerous opportunities to explore new products, services, and technologies while developing relationships with organizations committed to advancing patient care and rehabilitation services.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with participants expressing appreciation for the quality of the educational presentations, opportunities for professional networking, and overall conference experience.
APTA-Mississippi extends its sincere appreciation to the conference speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, and attendees who helped make the 2026 Fall Conference such a tremendous success. The association also thanks Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for hosting the event and providing an excellent setting for professional education and collaboration.
With strong attendance, record vendor participation, and enthusiastic feedback, the 2026 Fall Conference demonstrated the continued strength and engagement of Mississippi’s physical therapy community. APTA-Mississippi looks forward to building on this success and continuing to provide exceptional opportunities for education, advocacy, and professional connection in the years ahead.
For more information about APTA-Mississippi and upcoming events, visit www.apta-ms.org.
