SESSION #1: KEYNOTE
Eric Stephenson of imassage, Inc.
“Reinventing Yourself, Your School, and the Profession”
What might your future look like if you consciously choose to do things differently? As a massage and bodywork profession, we work to evoke change in and through the body, revealing habitual patterns that are both functional and dysfunctional to improve the quality of life. This interactive keynote delves into the four stages of change, examining how we relate to them personally and professionally. Through engaging coaching questions and experiential exercises, we'll embark on a journey to reinvent ourselves, our schools, our students, and the future of our profession.
SESSION #2
Cal Cates & Kerry Jordan of Healwell
“Implicit Bias in the Classroom and Beyond”
Curious about implicit bias and how it may be impacting your school community? Join Kerry Jordan and Cal Cates of Healwell as they share essential information about how implicit bias functions, how it is likely impacting your school and students, and a peek into what you can do to lessen its impact.
SESSION #3
Kristin Coverly & Taffie Lewis of ABMP
“Full-Spectrum Marketing for Massage Programs”
Successful marketing plans take a multi-faceted approach to attracting massage students—from face-to-face and hands-on activities to digital strategies that take advantage of new opportunities to connect with potential students. Join us for a dynamic crowdsourced discussion with your school community to learn new tactics, share best practices, and create strategies to grow our programs and the massage therapy profession.
SESSION #4
“Crucial Conversations: A Legislative Panel Discussion”
Participate in this discussion of the critical topics impacting schools today. Facilitated by ABMP President Les Sweeney, panelists Dawn Hogue (Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation executive director) and Debra Persinger (Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards executive director) will address the key issues schools are navigating today including the US Department of Education’s “150% Rule” for federal funding, gainful employment, and the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact). Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of this crucial conversation!
SESSION #5
Amanda Baskwill, PhD of Loyalist College and International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
“ChatMBP: Artificial Intelligence in Massage and Bodywork Education”
This interactive session explores the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in massage and bodywork education, offering insights into how AI technologies are redefining teaching methods, learning experiences, and competency evaluation. Participants examine both the opportunities provided by AI, such as personalized learning experiences and enhanced practice through virtual reality simulations, and the challenges, including ethical considerations. Through interactive demonstrations, attendees explore how AI can support massage and bodywork educators and learners.
SESSION #6
Kristin Coverly of ABMP
“The Un-Session: Your Topics, Your Questions, Your Session”
Welcome to the session tailored to your specific needs! How does it work? Attendees submit topics for discussion, the group votes, and the vote determines the session content. A structured discussion format allows participants to break into groups to ask questions, share expertise, and learn from each other on topics that are important to them. Join us for this dynamic experience that truly is your session.