The 21st ISPO World Congress will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 22 to 25 March 2027, with the theme “A World Connected: Advancing Assistive Technologies for Global Equity”. World Footwear reports a programme of 34 symposia, 16 instructional courses and 16 technical track presentations.
When and where is the ISPO World Congress 2027?
Bangkok, 22 to 25 March 2027. It is the first time the Congress is held in Southeast Asia. The event is outside Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, but it matters to IMEA readers because it is the main global gathering of the profession.
What is in the programme?
The programme has 34 symposia, 8 basic and 8 advanced instructional courses, and 16 technical track presentations. The four keynote speakers are Sisary Kheng, Natasha Layton, Nerrolyn Ramstrand and Massimo Sartori, with topics from sustainable rehabilitation and user-centred care to equity in P&O and advances in bionic limb control. The IC2A Inspirational Lecture, “Beyond Mobility – from Movement to Possibility”, is presented by Zy Kher Lee and his father Walter Lee.
Scientific chair Cleveland Barnett is quoted as saying that “global equity in assistive technology depends on shared learning”. The technical track returns, chaired by Brad Mattear, with topics such as digital technologies, thermoforming, socket replication and wheelchair-related fabrication.
What is still to be announced?
Free paper sessions are due to be announced in early December 2026. The report gives no registration or abstract deadlines, so readers should check the official congress website and its programme overview.
How can CPOs from emerging economies attend?
We have covered ISPO participation grants for emerging economies, the earlier ISPO World Congress call for proposals and the ISPO technical track for P&O technicians.
IMEA CPO Perspective
An equity theme and a hands-on technical track suit workshop technicians and CPOs working with limited resources in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. For many, the Congress is a chance to see practical techniques such as socket replication and thermoforming discussed by peers, and to meet colleagues facing similar constraints. Planning early matters because travel and grants take time. More in O&P business news.
FAQ
When is the ISPO World Congress 2027? 22 to 25 March 2027 in Bangkok, Thailand.
What is the theme? “A World Connected: Advancing Assistive Technologies for Global Equity”.
Who are the keynote speakers? Sisary Kheng, Natasha Layton, Nerrolyn Ramstrand and Massimo Sartori.
Suggested hyperlinks / sources
- World Footwear: ISPO announces key highlights of its World Congress 2027 programme
- ISPO congress: programme overview
- ISPO congress website