It’s been three years since the last in-person AMTA National Convention, but this year it is set to take place August 25–27 in Cleveland, Ohio. Below, you’ll get a preview of some of the planned continuing education and the products exhibitors will be showcasing this year.

Self-Care: Staying in the Massage Profession

Buddy Hammonds—Safeguard Your Hands and Your Massage Career

1. What most excites you about presenting at AMTA’s 2022 National Convention?

Having worked through pain, injury, and just plain fatigue, I’m excited to offer therapists the chance to learn from my own learnings and work more sustainably. If I can help other therapists to work more easefully in their own body, the AMTA 2022 National Convention will be a win for me.

2. What are you most looking forward to about being face-to-face with AMTA National Convention attendees?

This convention brings together so many remarkable, experienced, and curious therapists who think and work differently than I do. It’s a great opportunity for me to step outside of my own patterns and explore new ways of working.

3. In a sentence or two, tell attendees of AMTA’s 2022 National Convention why they should register for your class.

The most powerful tool you have is yourself in massage and bodywork. If you’re ready to work more effectively and more sustainably with less effort, this session is the place to be.

Nina Cherie Franklin—Self-Care Fitness Principles for Massage Therapists

1. What most excites you about presenting at AMTA’s 2022 National Convention?

As both an exercise scientist and clinical massage therapist, I’m always excited to present to my fellow peers, especially when it comes to sharing the many ways that exercise and other forms of activity can improve physical fitness, boost mental resilience, and even bolster career longevity amongst massage therapists.

Besides reducing the risk of developing numerous chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, regular activity helps prevent physical and psychological burnout in ways that support therapists’ ability to do their best work and live their best lives.

2. What are you most looking forward to about being face-to-face with AMTA National Convention attendees?

What I’m most looking forward to is the opportunity to directly interact with attendees, especially from a hands-on perspective. This is something that just doesn’t happen in the virtual environment. Massage therapy is inherently a hands-on practice, so the fact that massage therapists have had to endure largely virtual interactions over the last couple of years has alone presented a threat to self-care.

3. Can you share one quick takeaway attendees can expect from your class at AMTA’s 2022 National Convention?

One key takeaway attendees can expect to receive is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to exercising for self-care. While every person’s exercise routine should encompass “structured” activities aimed at building or maintaining different areas of physical fitness (i.e., cardiovascular endurance, muscular health and flexibility), the actual best approach for any individual is dependent on their unique abilities, lifestyle and preferences. Simply put, a person needs their own routine that they actually enjoy and can stick with.

Massage Technique and Client Conditions: Deepening Your Knowledge

Leisa Bellmore—Shiatsu Massage for Restorative Sleep

1.What most excites you about presenting at AMTA’s 2022 National Convention?

AMTA members are always enthusiastic about learning and passionate about the profession. I’m excited about sharing my clinical and research experience with them and hearing their thoughts on it.

2. What are you most looking forward to about being face-to-face with AMTA National Convention attendees?

After a difficult two plus years, I think we’re all craving personal connection. I am looking forward to connecting with like-minded practitioners in person!

3. In a sentence or two, tell attendees of AMTA’s 2022 National Convention why they should register for your class.

Sleep greatly impacts mental and physical health. Poor sleep is linked to chronic pain, depression, and so many other health issues. Helping your patients to sleep better can greatly improve their health and quality of life.

Julie Goodwin—In Safe Hands: Clients with Respiratory Conditions and In Safe Hands: Clients with Mental Health Disorders or Dementia

1. What most excites you about presenting at AMTA’s 2022 National Convention?

I am really excited to present both In Safe Hands: Clients with Respiratory Conditions and In Safe Hands: Clients with Mental Health Disorders or Dementia at the 2022 National Convention, because these new classes represent topics that may not be able to be addressed in depth in the massage classroom but are crucial to those affected by them.

2. What are you most looking forward to about being face-to-face with AMTA National Convention attendees?

I am actually overjoyed to gather with my colleagues from around the country after such a long time apart during such a challenging time for our profession and for the country. I’ve always come away from past conventions with a renewed sense of purpose, but this year will be special and unique for us all!

David Lobenstine—No Feet and Other Fallacies: Exploring Prenatal Massage Myths and Approaching the Lower Body from All Angles

1. What most excites you about presenting at AMTA’s 2022 National Convention?

What excites me most is the same thing as always: sharing our knowledge. We help our clients the most, and we help each other the most, when we gather together and work together to figure out how to do this work more effectively. Despite the enormous upheavals of the last few years, this fundamental task remains unchanged.

2. What are you most looking forward to about being face-to-face with AMTA National Convention attendees?

Even though what we do at the convention will be identical to what we have done for decades, my guess is that all of that same stuff will feel more meaningful this year. I have started to do lots of online teaching recently, and it is great, but there is nothing quite like being able to watch a massage therapist grow their skills right before your eyes!

Jill Burynski—Thai Massage for the Table

1. What most excites you about presenting at AMTA’s 2022 National Convention?

It’s always an honor and a pleasure to present at AMTA National Convention. It’s our industry’s largest and most prestigious event. It’s so inspiring and energizing to be around so many therapists from all over the country and at different phases of their careers. This year’s convention feels particularly special since it will be the first one in nearly three years due to COVID. I can’t wait!

2. What are you most looking forward to about being face-to-face with AMTA National Convention attendees?

While AMTA has done an amazing job providing online learning opportunities during COVID, I feel that massage is best learned hands-on and in-person. Also, there is no replacement for the energy of being in a group of people, connecting in a way that is hard to do virtually.

AMTA Convention always feels like a kind of family reunion. It’s wonderful to see friends and faces that we may only see at conventions. I can’t wait to connect with my massage tribe again!

3. In a sentence or two, tell attendees of AMTA’s 2022 National Convention why they should register for your class.

If you have been curious about Thai Massage and/or in search of a more ergonomic less strenuous way to practice, then this intro session is for you.

Business Practice: Helping You Take Care of Your Practice

Felicia Brown—The Art Of Client Retention

1. What most excites you about presenting at AMTA’s 2022 National Convention?

I love teaching at AMTA because the energy of the students is always so positive and enthusiastic. Everyone comes prepared to learn while also having fun with friends and colleagues.

2. What are you most looking forward to about being face-to-face with AMTA National Convention attendees?

The hugs! It’s also great to see past students and hear how what they learned during our last class helped them.

3. Can you share one quick takeaway attendees can expect from your class at AMTA’s 2022 National Convention?

Ask every client to rebook!

Educators Forum: Content for Teachers

Winona Bontrager—Teachers Day: Educators Knowledge Forum

1. What most excites you about presenting at AMTA’s 2022 National Convention?

I have to be around people who do what I do. So, hanging out with school folks is always exciting for me. I love the looks of understanding on all the participates faces as we lead them in discussions about what’s going on at their schools.

2. What are you most looking forward to about being face-to-face with AMTA National Convention attendees?

I am so excited to see people in their entirety, not just a face! A lot of expression gets lost when I just see your face.

3. In a sentence or two, tell attendees of AMTA’s 2022 National Convention why they should register for your class.

This is a wonderful opportunity to find out what your colleges are doing. To get some ideas of how to make your life easier, and offer what works for your classes. Most teachers are in the classroom all day and don’t have an opportunity to commiserate with their peers. This is an opportunity for you to do that.

See Also

Exhibitors Showcase Products at Upcoming National Convention

Three Massage Therapists Talk Why Attending Events is Important to Them