After 9 years Simulation Australia is re-uniting its 2 annual national conferences, known as SimTecT and SimHealth, under one roof at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) from Monday 16 to Friday 20 September 2013. SimTecT is the annual Asia Pacific Simulation Technology and Training Conference and Exhibition held by Simulation Australia since its inception in 1996. It has grown to become Australasia’s premier simulation conference for industry, government and academia. The conference currently attracts over 600 attendees annually with 15% being international delegates.

Simulation Australia is the national peak body for the simulation community in Australia. We provide a forum for those involved with simulation, to allow for discussion and distribution of information, and to further advance the research, development and use of simulation technologies and practices in Australian society, industry, academia and government.

Together with the SimTecT and SimHealth Organising Committees, I invite you to participate in the “Crossing Boundaries” Conference in Brisbane, Queensland. As an exhibitor or sponsor you will receive high profile exposure to over 1000 people attending from the national and international simulation community, who have rated SimTecT and SimHealth as high points in the international calendar. The conference is promoted broadly throughout the Asia Pacific and internationally.

The conference theme asks participants to consider the boundaries that exist in their context and how they have developed, adapted or resolved issues in education and training, research and professional collaboration. Are boundaries important and crossing them unrealistic and inappropriate; or are there lessons from other disciplines, industries and cultures which are applicable to simulation?

Join us in September 2013 to listen, experience and explore simulation in research, development and across all industries. Expand your horizons, cross some boundaries of your own.

For the first time this year we are offering you the opportunity to bring your major exhibit or simulator van into the combined exhibition area. We are also setting up more meeting areas and you will be able to coordinate personalised meetings through the new conference app. Attendees will spend more time in the exhibition area with the introduction of extended lunch breaks. And for the first time ever we have included the Welcome Receptions and the Annual Awards Dinner into all the registrations to maximise networking and marketing opportunities, and to celebrate success in our community.

History

In 1994 the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) collaborated with industry and academic representatives on a Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) proposal for simulation-related research and development. While that proposal was not funded, project participants were enthused and decided to form an association, led by industry, to further the use and development of simulation in Australia.  DSTO also hoped that such an association would manage a newly established annual simulation conference.

In 1996, after planning and negotiation, the Simulation Industry Association of Australia (SIAA) was formed (now Simulation Australia Ltd). Its primary goal was to conduct an annual conference, which it did so – SimTecT is held is held annually.  SIAA had a mission of advancing the research, development, and use of simulation technologies and practices in Australian industry, academia, and government.

In 2007 Simulation Australia created for their health division, the Australian Society for Simulation in Healthcare (ASSH) brand to reflect the international partnership with SSH. This was prior to the SimTecT Health Conference (now SimHealth) being held as an individual conference.