Date

October 12-14, 2021

Location

100% VIRTUAL

Thought Leaders

Global Community

Movement Innovators

October 12-14, 2021

ABOUT EVENT / Innovation and Inspiration

8th ISPAH VIRTUAL CONGRESS (VANCOUVER 2021)

Vancouver proudly hosted the 8th International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH) Congress, October 12 to 14, 2021.

The ISPAH Congress represents the world’s largest forum related to physical activity and public health. ISPAH is recognized as the leading global society focusing on promoting physical activity across the lifespan.

The 8th ISPAH Congress brought together thought-leaders, policy makers, community leaders, Indigenous Elders, and researchers from all over the world for conversation, debate, and innovation based on the theme of “The Wholistic Approach to Health and Wellness through Physical Activity: Body, Spirit, and Mind.” A key objective of the conference was to advance our knowledge of the benefits of physical activity for optimal health and well-being across the lifespan. There was also a special focus on improving our understanding of health disparities globally and wholistic wellness within Indigenous communities.

This year owing to the global COVID-19 pandemic we worked to create a virtual conference recognizing that many were not able to attend in person. For those that were interested in travelling, we also held a smaller safely distanced IN-PERSON Satellite Meetings on Friday October 8, 2021 (UBC Robson Centre).

Our updated format was designed to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of our delegates and also allow the attendance of delegates from around the world.

The Congress was designed such that virtual sessions were held in three different time zones allowing for a wide participation of delegates from around the world. All VIRTUAL sessions were recorded to allow for the viewing at a later time by registered delegates.

VANCOUVERINTRO VIDEO
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Donation / Indigenous Trainees

We are proud to support Indigenous trainees throughout the world. As a legacy to this Congress, we will establish a series of training scholarships for Indigenous trainees within higher education and community-based settings. Your generous donations would be appreciated greatly. For further information please feel free to contact our team at: info@ispah2020.com

Conference and Event Schedule / Final

You can find the 8th ISPAH Congress Programme here:  https://ispah2020.com/agenda/

Event Sponsors / Thank you!

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Testimonials / What is the Buzz!

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

We were honoured to have Dr. Camilo Mora give a keynote presentation at our Congress.

We were honoured to have Waneek Horn-Miller give a keynote presentation at our Congress.

We were honoured to have Dr. Olga Sarmiento give a keynote presentation at our Congress.

We were honoured to have Dr. Emmanuel Stamatakis give a keynote presentation at our Congress.

We were honoured to have Dr. Ryan Rhodes give a keynote presentation at our Congress.
See all speakers

Registration Now Closed

Thank you!

Welcome to the 8th ISPAH Virtual Congress website! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our team at: info AT ispah2022.com

Event FAQS / find your answers

Our organizing committee is proud to announce that the 8th ISPAH Congress is 100% Virtual allowing for the participation of delegates from around the world (at different time zones).

Vancouver

Equidistant from Europe and Asia, bordering the United States, Vancouver is home to the award-winning Vancouver International Airport (YVR), the second largest airport on North America’s west coast. Travelling downtown to the Vancouver Convention Centre is as easy as taking a taxi, limo or the Canada Line rapid transit system, and takes less than 30 minutes. Please refer to the detailed "Travel Planning" instructions on our website how to get to downtown Vancouver. https://ispah2020.com/travel-planning/ https://www.tourismvancouver.com/plan-your-trip/getting-here/
We recognize that many will be interested in attending our Satellite meetings in person. If you are able to join us in person there are plenty of things to do in Vancouver. We are honoured to work with Tourism Vancouver, the Vancouver Convention Centre, and various local businesses to create a diverse menu of events for our Satellite meeting delegates. There are a variety of activities that you can do during your stay in Vancouver. Tourism Vancouver provides a comprehensive list of activities that you can do while in Vancouver such as family-friendly excursions, thrill-seeking exploits, outdoor adventures, marine explorations, and mountaintop luxury getaways. Importantly, there are a variety of activities within short walking distance of the Vancouver Convention Centre. Many of these activities are free or low cost. Our team has compiled a brief list of some of their personal favourite attractions, activities, or adventures within close proximity of the Vancouver Convention Centre:
  • A Stroll through Stanley Park
  • Talking Trees - Indigenous Walking Tour through Stanley Park
  • Visit the marine life at Vancouver Aquarium
  • Capilano Suspension Bridge
  • FlyOver Canada Simulated Flight
  • Vancouver to Victoria Seaplane
  • The SeaBus to North Vancouver
  • A Walk through Granville Island and Market
  • Vancouver Hop On, Hop Off City Tour or Stanley Park Experience
  • Whale Watching Tours
  • Stanley Park Horse-Drawn Tours
  • Skiing and Snowboarding on Local Mountains
For those attending our Satellite meetings on October 11, 2021, Vancouver offers more than 13,000 hotel guest rooms in the heart of downtown Vancouver, many within walking distance of sightseeing, top restaurants, sports venues, and nightlife. We have worked together with Tourism Vancouver and the Vancouver Convention Centre to find a wide range of accommodation options for our Satellite meeting delegates and their families and friends. This includes a series of recommended hotels within close proximity to the heart of downtown Vancouver. We have also outlined alternative housing options (such as Airbnb).
Our thoughts go out to the people who have been affected by the novel coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. We appreciate greatly the healthcare professionals, communities, and governments from around the world who are working to contain this novel coronavirus. The conference organizers and ISPAH have been carefully reviewing the conditions daily related to the spread of COVID-19 and the implications for our upcoming Congress. We have met recently with public health agencies and authorities and the Vancouver Convention Centre. We have also received considerable feedback from potential international delegates and speakers. Based on this feedback, the local organizing committee and the ISPAH board of directors have made the difficult decision make the 8th ISPAH Congress 100% Virtual (October 12-14, 2021) with safely distanced satellite meetings (October 11, 2021) in Vancouver, BC. We apologize for the inconvenience that this may cause in your plans for attending the Congress. We are excited to continue building upon our symposia and program outline. Please notice the additional opportunities for abstract submissions and revised deadlines leading up to the 2021 Congress (see www.ispah2020.com).

ABOUT VANCOUVER

Vancouver is a spectacular place to visit. Vancouver is surrounded on three sides by water and located alongside the Coast Mountain Range. It is home to spectacular and breath-taking scenery and a vibrant metropolitan centre. It is the largest city in British Columbia.

Consider just a few reasons why you should plan a trip to Vancouver:

  • Olympic City
  • Spectacular & Safe Setting
  • Exciting Activities
  • Gateway to Adventure
  • Welcoming & Accessible
  • Superior Service & Value
FURTHER INFO ABOUT VANCOUVER

Recent Blog Posts / get news!

Hybrid Congress

We would love to welcome everyone in-person to our beautiful city. This year owing to the global COVID-19 pandemic we have worked to create a hybrid conference recognizing that many may not be able to attend in person. This is designed to

Event Location

VIRTUAL CONGRESS (100% ONLINE; OCTOBER 12-14, 2021)

  • The 8th ISPAH Congress was 100% virtual. 

IN-PERSON SATELLITE MEETINGS (OCTOBER 8, 2021)

UBC Robson Square
800 Robson Street
Vancouver, BC Canada V6Z 3B7

Conference Secretariat

Phone: 604-822-1337

Email: info AT ISPAH2020.com