AMTA-Nevada Chapter’s 2018 State Convention
The AMTA-NV Chapter’s annual Convention hosts its Annual Member Meeting with special guest speakers, massage therapy government relations updates, and giveaways. Take a Sunrise Yoga class and Earn Continuing Education credits by attending courses for improving your practice, including presenters James Waslaski (massage techniques) & Felicia Brown (business techniques). Keep Reading for how you can be a part of this unique event in Las Vegas, Nevada this Spring!
Step 1: Book Your Room
Start off by reserving your Suite at Alexis Park All-Suites Resort – you won’t want to miss a minute of the excellent presentations by the Nevada Chapter, its guest speakers from around the State(s), and the Continuing Education Providers ready to serve your professional needs. Book your rooms now with exceptional Rates starting as low as $42/night … even after the Convention, through the weekend! Two ways to guarantee your zen-space, between events:
- Click: reserve your room online <– this link will pre-fill the hotel (Alexis Park Resort) and our Group Code.
- Call: (800) 582-2228 or (702) 796-3322 and book your room, identifying your group affiliation with “American Massage Therapy Assn” to get the same, specially-arranged Suite Rates as the online method.
Step 2: Register for the Convention
Read the Convention Event Schedule (below) for details on each Event in this chart – a specific list of Events and locations where each is happening will be sent to you upon Registration and before Days 1 & 2 – all Events will happen in the Apollo Business Center of Alexis Park Resort.
You have several Options (#1 – #9) as to how to combine the Events over May 8th & 9th to your liking – Options are described below, so you can best choose your Single Registration Option on the Registration Form:
Step 3: Come to the Convention!
— Convention Event Schedule —
DAY 1 (Tuesday, May 8, 2018)
8a – 9a
Continental Breakfast – a welcoming sight to early-risers: a warm reception in the Apollo Conference Center: hot coffees & teas, juices, assorted pastries & fruit – all to fuel your morning!
9a – 12p
Annual Meeting – meet us in Apollo 3 for the chapter’s annual report of activities, past and future, elections and volunteer opportunities – your Vote (as a Member in Good Standing) COUNTS – and guest speakers AMTA National President-Elect Christopher Deery & Nevada State Board of Massage Therapy’s Southern Nevada Operations Manager, Maggie Adams: empower your practice with the information presented! Vendor & Sponsor participation include swag bags for each attendee.
12p – 1p
Networking Luncheon – join your fellow attendees in the Apollo Reception area – meet a ‘new’ colleague, share stories – and enjoy a buffet-style luncheon where lasting relationships are built and long-lost connections are re-established.
1p – 5p
Integrated Manual Therapy and Orthopedic Massage for Complicated Shoulder Conditions & Multiple Crush Phenomenon – Waslaski (Class #1A: 4 CEHs) – Attendees will learn functional assessment and special tests, myofascial and neuromuscular techniques, myoskeletal alignment techniques, scar tissue mobilization protocols, and specific stretches and therapeutic exercises to eliminate both the underlying cause and clinical symptoms of cervical pain and associated upper-extremity numbness. Supplies: massage table, table linens & towels; wear loose & comfortable clothing
Free and Easy Ways to Promote Your Massage, Spa, and Wellness Business – Brown (Class #2A: 4 CEHs) – This course is jam-packed full of practical, profitable promotions, actual case studies and other creative ideas to fill your appointment book and bank account. Attendees will have the opportunity to create a simple marketing plan for their business or practice as well as outlines for one or more easy promotions to use after class. Supplies: pen, paper, your business cards, your business/practice goals
5p – bedtime
Playtime – relax in your Suite after a dinner from one of the surrounding restaurants, and/or go out to play, close by, on The Strip in Vegas Style – the Fremont Street Experience is something to see and a short Shared Ride or busline away. Return to the comfort of your room & get a good night’s sleep!
DAY 2 (Wednesday, May 9, 2018)
6a – 7a
Sunrise Yoga on the Terrace – Rise and Shine to this invigorating, 45-minute basic yoga class – sweat with your fellow attendees, enjoy the view of the Las Vegas Strip from the roof-top Terrace, and grab a protein drink, fruit, and/or water to go, so you can prepare for the day’s events. taught by Certified Yoga Teacher, Gayla Coughlin…who is also a licensed massage therapist.
7a – 8a
Breakfast Buffet – enjoy a leisurely Alexis Park Breakfast Buffet in the Apollo Reception area with your fellow professionals, full of all your favorite morning food choices: juices, fruits, pastries, eggs, french toast, pancakes, bacon & sausage… a mighty meal for the day’s bodywork activities.
8a – 12p
Déjà Vu Ethics Review and Dealing With Inappropriate Clients and Sexual Situations – Brown (Class #2B & #2C: 4 CEHs, total) – In these two ethics courses for massage therapists, Felicia suggests that even the most-seasoned massage professionals can benefit from a review of professional boundaries and guidelines for working with clients. The first class/review will provide an honest look at some of the challenges massage therapists face and provide an opportunity for attendees to discuss their own ethical challenges and dilemmas in a safe, supportive space. In dealing with inappropriate clients, Felicia will discuss with attendees the common red flags massage therapists see and ways to diffuse potentially inappropriate client situations. Supplies: pen, paper, your ethical challenges & concerns
Pelvic Stabilization “The Key to Structural Integration” – Waslaski (Class #1B: 4 CEHs) – James’ takes the clinical approach to assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation fo the lumbar spine, hip, and pelvis in this course. Specific conditions he’ll address include low back pain, SI joint dysfunction, sacral torsions, lumbar compression, spinal stenosis, bulging disc pain, and ruptured discs. In addition, hip pain, hip capsule problems, hip replacements, sciatica, and compensatory knee pain will be addressed. Supplies: massage table, table linens & towels; wear loose & comfortable clothing
12p – 1p
Lunch Box – in the Apollo Reception area, pick up your Lunch Box (chosen during Registration or this morning) and grab a seat with your class partner and others and re-fuel for the day.
1p – 5p
Integrated Manual Therapy and Orthopedic Massage for Complicated Lower Extremity Conditions – Waslaski (Class #1C: 4 CEHs) – Participants in this course will use modalities such as functional assessment, posturology, myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy, scar tissue mobilization, myoskeletal alignment, and corrective stretching and strengthening protocols in a very precise order. James’ unique, multidisciplinary approach may eliminate even the most complicated pain conditions in the lower extremity immediately and permanently. Attendees will discover cutting edge approaches to immediate relief from muscle strains, sprains, and myofascial pain. Supplies: massage table, table linens & towels; wear loose & comfortable clothing
5p
Fond Farewell – we give a wave good-bye and send our heartfelt well-wishes to our Convention guests.
2018 Sponsors & Vendors
Our Sponsors provide new professional products and information – and sometimes meals – during 2018’s State Convention. Please give them a shout out by clicking through to any of their websites for more information about their products & services.
2018 Continuing Education – Instructors & Courses
James Waslaski, CPT
Course Offerings at the 2018 AMTA Nevada Chapter State Convention:
Integrated Manual Therapy and Orthopedic Massage for Complicated Shoulder Conditions & Multiple Crush Phenomenon – (4 CEHs) – Attendees will learn functional assessment and special tests, myofascial and neuromuscular techniques, myoskeletal alignment techniques, scar tissue mobilization protocols, and specific stretches and therapeutic exercises to eliminate both the underlying cause and clinical symptoms of cervical pain and associated upper-extremity numbness.
Pelvic Stabilization “The Key to Structural Integration” – (4 CEHs) – James’ takes the clinical approach to assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation fo the lumbar spine, hip, and pelvis in this course. Specific conditions he’ll address include low back pain, SI joint dysfunction, sacral torsions, lumbar compression, spinal stenosis, bulging disc pain, and ruptured discs. In addition, hip pain, hip capsule problems, hip replacements, sciatica, and compensatory knee pain will be addressed.
Integrated Manual Therapy and Orthopedic Massage for Complicated Lower Extremity Conditions – (4 CEHs) – Participants in this course will use modalities such as functional assessment, posturology, myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy, scar tissue mobilization, myoskeletal alignment, and corrective stretching and strengthening protocols in a very precise order. James’ unique, multidisciplinary approach may eliminate even the most complicated pain conditions in the lower extremity immediately and permanently. Attendees will discover cutting edge approaches to immediate relief from muscle strains, sprains, and myofascial pain.
Supplies for each class: massage table, table linens & towels; wear loose & comfortable clothing
To take all 3 of James’ courses, be sure to choose OPTION 1 when you Register
Felicia Brown, LMBT
Course Offerings at the 2018 AMTA Nevada Chapter State Convention:
Free and Easy Ways to Promote Your Massage, Spa, and Wellness Business – (4 CEHs) – This course is jam-packed full of practical, profitable promotions, actual case studies and other creative ideas to fill your appointment book and bank account. Attendees will have the opportunity to create a simple marketing plan for their business or practice as well as outlines for one or more easy promotions to use after class. Supplies: pen, paper, your business cards, your business/practice goals
Déjà Vu Ethics Review and Dealing With Inappropriate Clients and Sexual Situations – (two courses: 4 CEHs, total) – In these two ethics courses for massage therapists, Felicia suggests that even the most-seasoned massage professionals can benefit from a review of professional boundaries and guidelines for working with clients. The first 2-hour course/review will provide an honest look at some of the challenges massage therapists face and provide an opportunity for attendees to discuss their own ethical challenges and dilemmas in a safe, supportive space. During the second, two-hour course, Felicia will discuss with attendees the common red flags in dealing with inappropriate clients that massage therapists see and ways to diffuse potentially inappropriate client situations. Supplies: pen, paper, your ethical challenges & concerns
To take both of Felicia’s courses, be sure to choose OPTION 2 when you Register
2018 AMTA-NV Chapter Annual Business Meeting – Guest Speakers
Christopher Deery | President-Elect, American Massage Therapy Association
Maggie Adams | Southern Nevada Operations Manager, Nevada State Board of Massage Therapy
has been a massage therapist since 1991 and has been the Treatment and Therapist Manager for Atrio Spa, Las Alcobas, Napa CA. Maggie has created signature services for 5-Star spas, day spas and companies including MOROCCANOIL and LALICIOUS. Her protocols are featured in over 250 spas worldwide. Maggie opened the Spa at Aria in the heart of City Center on the Las Vegas Strip where she designed all massage protocols and training procedures. She was an instructor for one of the premier massage schools in the country, the Director of Education for another, and an educational consultant for several others. As an author and presenter, Maggie has published articles and lectured on the subject of massage therapy for Massage Magazine, Santa Clara University, the National Arthritis Foundation, and the Chronic Fatigue Consultation Clinic.
As a member of the AMTA-Nevada Chapter, I decided to stay in for the meeting before the continuing education that I had originally signed up for at the 2015 Annual Nevada Chapter Convention. And during that meeting, David Otto, who was my Professional Development instructor at the Nevada School of Massage Therapy (NSMT), and then, being President of the chapter, nominated me to be a part of the organization.
Be among the professional members that shape our association. Vote for our national leaders. AMTA is the premier professional organization and needs top leadership to be a strong voice and guide us to the future. Your vote is needed to ensure that AMTA remains on top and continues to be well represented.
This is the time of year when the gift of massage is most given, when those in need’s voices are heeded, and when massage therapy professionals’ families may get the most benefit from a visit from their family’s massage therapist.
AMTA 2011 National Elections!
the First 90-days…
Hello Members!
Now, on with this month’s blog…
I was elected to serve as a chapter leader, first as 1st Vice President back in 2010, with the intention of running for another leadership office, but not really the presidency.
Billie Shea (who has served several terms as President, now Immediate Past President) had other plans than my “just” participating in a fully-engaging and wonderfully-satisfying position as a volunteer. She knew that, over my years of service in media outlets, out in the population of the membership and non-members of professionals in the Las Vegas area, being active in my professional goals as well as association goals, I had a little more potential. And I guess I have to say: I thought so, too.
I suspect, from the get-go, Billie was looking for the right person, a willing person, an established professional and personality in the massage therapist community, and I had worked hard to be in that position, but didn’t realize the gravity of my situation until someone told me I should run for President.
When I joined the AMTA & Nevada chapter back in 2001, during my last weeks of school, I really had no idea that the AMTA would be an opportunity that grew me both professionally and personally – was starting with a solid liability insurance policy, as far as I was concerned. I had and have a passion for massage therapy, and that passion to do what was right for me, back in the day; and now, my passion has developed into a purpose to do what is right for the profession in Nevada. I can think of no stronger, prominent, or active group of massage therapy professionals than those who are members of the AMTA – in Nevada and across the U.S.!
I have had, even before I was elected chapter President, more positive & growth experiences in my management skills, massage therapy skills, interpersonal skills, marketing skills, and entrepreneurial drive than I can ever imagine would have happened had it not been for the tried, true, and structured resource of the humans that make up the AMTA. From the National office to the newest Student Member, I count on every person who professes to support and practice massage therapy in its truest form to contribute to the success of the organization. And, as in a recent interview that I participated in for the national promotion of the AMTA, “I am David Otto. I am AMTA.”
And so is every member.
If you believe in supporting massage therapy research, the development of the field and profession, and providing massage therapy clients with the “best massage ever,” you have found a friend, mentor, and inspiration in the AMTA. Times can be turbulent and hard to comprehend, but by keeping the Mission in mind and participating, everyone comes out ahead.
Thank you for trusting me as one of the many talented leaders of the Nevada Chapter that you will come across. I encourage you to get to know one other member this year. By the end of 2012, we are organizing a couple of member events coming up in Southern Nevada and there are several continuing education courses in Northern Nevada where you will likely meet a fellow AMTA member – but if not, recognize the “member” in the professional with whom you are talking.
There will be more updates about things YOU and/or your colleagues find interesting and may want to participate in as an Attendee. If you have any ideas, questions, or comments about your membership or participating in affecting an awesome membership of professionals in Nevada, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Yours in Service,
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