INTERNATIONAL FLUENCY ASSOCIATION

 

Bidding to host the International Congress of Fluency Disorders

 

IFA

The IFA was founded in 1989 to promote international liaison in the area of fluency disorders and to promote the understanding of these disorders. International congresses are organised every three years in venues selected from around the world. In 1994, the Congress was held in Munich; San Francisco in 1997; Nyborg, Denmark in 2000, and in 2003, Montreal.

 

How is the location for a congress decided?

Currently, congresses are organised to take place every three years. Decisions regarding the site of the congress will be made by voting of individual members during the Membership Meeting at the congress three years in advance of the proposed congress.

 

Who is eligible to bid?

Bids for the congress will be considered acceptable only if presented by a country’s professional organisation representing professionals in the area of fluency disorders as well as self-help organisations for people who stutter, or a combination of such organisations. It is considered useful to have support from local organisations in the area of speech pathology of logopedics. Experience in hosting international conferences/meetings may be an advantage. Backing from a professional organisation in hosting international conferences is advised but not a prerequisite for making a bid. It is also considered useful to have the supportive backing of city’s counsel, and/or a local Chamber of Commerce or tourist organisation. 

 

Procedures involved in making a proposal to host the IFA congress

 

  1. Notice of an intention to bid to hold the IFA congress is made in writing to the Secretary of the IFA, at least three months prior to the congress held three years before the targeted congress.
  2. The professional organisation making the bid will be informed of the timing and organisation of the voting and ballot procedure, and advised regarding promotional opportunities at which the hosting bids are decided (e.g., taking a desk at the Exhibition Centre which will be provided free of charge).
  3. A portfolio representing the attractions of the proposed location will be prepared by the professional organisation and sent to the IFA secretary, and to the IFA Committee of Meetings and Conferences presenting the host country’s bid.  Details presented should include clear descriptions regarding the following: 
    1. The congress site/convention centre;
    2. Availability of suitable accommodation within easy access of the site;
    3. Projected costing of attendance and/or accommodation;
    4. Information regarding facilities adjacent to the congress site. Necessary facilities at least: one room for plenary sessions for 500 people, 2 rooms for 200 each, 3 rooms for 100 each and two rooms for 50 each, poster session space, exhibition space);
    5. Travel information;
    6. Other attraction re. the proposed site;
    7. Links to national associations proposing to host the congress.
  4. Prior to the voting at the Membership Meeting, a period of 10 minutes will be allocated for each organisation to address the meeting and to present information about the proposed site.
  5. The ballot procedure takes place during the Membership Meeting at the next congress.
  6. The Chair of the IFA committee on Conferences and Meeting will liaise with the organisation whose bid has been successful and participates in the Planning Committee of the congress. Members of the Planning Committee are welcomed to the IFA Board meetings to present their progress reports, and to discuss decisions regarding the details of the congress plan.

 

Congress Organisation

The congress organisational structure consists of a Planning Committee, with the Congress President, the Chair of the organising committee, the Chair of the program committee, Chair of other committees, and the Chair of the IFA committee of Meetings and Conferences.

With respect to the program an opening ceremony has to be planned in the congress schedule on the evening of the day before the start of the scientific program. Furthermore, one afternoon in the program has to be fixed for a common social event followed by a dinner party in the evening.

 

Finances

The congress organisation is responsible for the budget of the congress. Profits of the congress will go to the IFA because this is its main financial source.  Any losses generated from a congress will be shared among the local organisations, and will not be the responsibility of the IFA.



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