This year, Permobil had the privilege of attending seven Abilities Expos throughout the U.S, from New York to L.A. to Dallas. Our sales, marketing, and executive team had a chance to meet and network with many individuals who use complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) and their caregivers, family, and friends.
Permobil also partnered with the Permobil Foundation to offer minor repairs at no cost to attendees who used Permobil or TiLite wheelchairs. Members of our production, technical education, and engineering teams were able to help our end-users out with these repairs and also answer any questions. We’re proud to have repaired 578 chairs in total over these seven Abilities Expos.
Here our highlights from all seven events:
LA Abilities Expo
Back in March, our team met in LA for a successful Abilities Expo. We repaired 70 wheelchairs at the expo, and met all the wonderful people in and around L.A.
Expo-goers had a chance to try the TiLite CR1 carbon fiber chair and the M Corpus VS with standing, plus the SmartDrive and Speed Control Dial. Our 14-person Permobil crew had a memorable experience in the City of Angels.
NY Metro Abilities Expo
We flew back across the country two months later in May to meet our end-users, industry contacts, and friends in the New York area. Meeting at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, we had a chance to showcase our products and provide repairs to 81 individuals.
Chicago Abilities Expo
This was one of our best attended expos in 2024. Our 20-person team was busy connecting with new people, sharing knowledge about our products, and helping with repairs. We were able to help 87 people repair their mobility equipment.
There were also plenty of exciting booths and performances. Our friends from The Rollettes, an all-wheelchair dancing group, were on site to help entertain everyone who was in attendance.
Houston Abilities Expo
We packed up and took off to Texas over the summer in our first visit to the state for an Abilities Expo. Throughout the August weekend, we had a chance to repair 70 chairs for individuals using mobility equipment.
Phoenix Abilities Expo
Going two states further west, we hit the beautiful state of Arizona in the Phoenix area. Meeting in the WestWorld event venue, we interacted with a diverse group of people from the Southwest.
As part of the Permobil team that went to this expo, I had a chance to visit other booths, including Ability 360, watch the Rollettes perform, and even get a chance to try the adaptive rock-climbing wall and meet Mark Wellman, who runs the rock wall and has a rich history of adaptive climbing.
| Location | Number of chairs repaired |
| LA Abilities Expo | 70 |
| NY Metro Abilities Expo | 81 |
| Chicago Abilities Expo | 87 |
| Houston Abilities Expo | 70 |
| Ft. Lauderdale Abilities Expo | 41 |
| Phoenix Abilities Expo | 55 |
| Dallas Abilities Expo | 57 |
Ft. Lauderdale Abilities Expo
Permobil landed in Ft. Lauderdale a week after Hurricane Milton battered the Gulf Coast and encountered a resilient community that rallied back after the disaster. We repaired over 40 chairs throughout the October weekend.
In Ft. Lauderdale, the Permobil Foundation had the privilege of sponsoring the United Spinal Association’s StrongWheeled Together Awards, which celebrate the accomplishments of incredible wheelchair users. The foundation was able to award one Permobil wheelchair to a winner.
Dallas Abilities Expo
We visited the lone star state for the second time this year to close our Abilities Expo circuit. Nearby, while MLB teams were having their Winter Meetings, kicking off new trades, signings, and other business, the Permobil Foundation was repairing wheelchairs. Throughout the weekend, we helped 57 people receive the repairs they needed for their equipment.
Team members also had the opportunity to meet Paralympian Jarryd Wallace, who is an amputee and T44 sprint runner, and learn about his story.
Our efforts in the repair booths, partnering with the Permobil Foundation, have helped individuals regain their independence and improve their quality of life. This empowers people to live more fully, whether it's through mobility solutions like custom wheelchairs or specialized equipment.
The impact of our work is felt not only in the repairs we provide but also in the lives we help change by ensuring greater access and independence for individuals with disabilities. Ken Winward from our TiLite team and Guy Henningsson from power have been an invaluable part of our success at our repair booth. Their dedication and expertise really make a difference. We are truly living the Permobil pillars of innovation, care, and empowerment through the work we do at every event and in the lives we touch.
Content Marketing Specialist - Permobil Americas
Before joining Permobil as content marketing specialist, Hawken was a content strategist for the nonprofit CureDuchenne, creating blogs, emails, and social media content for the Duchenne muscular dystrophy community. For most of his life before that, he worked as a journalist, writing feature stories for BioNews, and reporting on the video game beat for The Washington Post. Following his passion for writing, Hawken graduated from journalism school at the University of Southern California.