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Evanston, IL — The largest annual convention ever of the
American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) in Orlando,
Florida September 23-26 featured significant decisions
by member representatives, a special Student Day, a
record financial contribution supporting massage therapy
research and meetings for input into the Massage Therapy
Body of Knowledge Initiative. Keynote speaker Tony
Burroughs, co-founder of the Intenders of the Highest
Good, explained how to set a direction for intentions
daily to bring a greater level of success into a massage
therapist’s practice and life.
The convention saw a record attendance of more than 1800
attendees, exceeding by 300 any previous AMTA annual
gathering. Attendees were able to meet with more than 90
companies in the Exhibit Hall offering professional
information, products and services for massage
therapists.
AMTA presents $535,867.00 to Massage Therapy Foundation
At the opening business session of the convention, AMTA
President Judy Stahl presented Massage Therapy
Foundation President Diana Thompson with a symbolic
check for $535,867.00, representing AMTA’s financial
support to the Massage Therapy Foundation for 2009-10.
AMTA’s financial support helps the foundation carry out
its mission and support AMTA’s goal for
evidence-informed massage practice.
“As the primary benefactor for the Foundation, AMTA is
proud that its in-kind and direct monetary support for
the day-to-day operations of the foundation have
increased this year,” said Stahl. “We are happy to
promote the foundation as our massage research
foundation and we strongly encourage others to
contribute to the advancement of massage research
through the Massage Therapy Foundation.”
Thompson presented information during the session on
their fund-raising efforts, the success of their
International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork,
and grant and contest recipients. AMTA President Stahl
also presented Diana Thompson with AMTA’s Distinguished
Service Award for her dedication to the massage therapy
profession and to the foundation. Thompson will complete
her term as foundation president in early 2010.
AMTA House of Delegates approves two position statements
The AMTA House of Delegates debated proposals for
association position statements that express the sense
of the membership on matters pertaining to massage
therapy. This year, the delegates approved two position
statements, which are now official positions of the
association.
Two proposed position statements were not approved, as
delegates felt their language and/or the research
support cited were not at the level the delegates would
like to see for the association to take such positions.
Details on the approved position statements will soon be
available on the AMTA website and will become part of
the association’s efforts to promote the value of
massage therapy, supported by research.
The approved statements are:
- It is the position of the American Massage Therapy
Association (AMTA) that massage can aid in pain relief.
- It is the position of the American Massage Therapy
Association (AMTA) that massage therapy can improve the
quality of life for those in hospice and palliative
care.
The AMTA House of Delegates has now approved six
position statements since it first began voting on them
in 2006. Proposals for AMTA position statements are
developed and submitted by members according to specific
guidelines and criteria. Proposals that meet all
criteria are presented to the House of Delegates at its
meeting that occurs during the AMTA national convention.
Delegates are elected by their chapters to represent
members in that state (and Washington, D.C.)
300+ attend Student Day activities
More than 300 massage school students attended AMTA’s
second Convention Student Day. Coming from massage
schools throughout Florida and from seven other states,
the students first joined a special Kick Start Program
about how to plan for their massage practices and how to
build or rejuvenate a massage practice. They were
addressed by AMTA President Judy Stahl and Executive
Director Elizabeth M. Lucas on the benefits of joining
AMTA, before attending the convention Exhibit Hall and
receiving important test preparation tips.
AMTA began Student Day last year at its Phoenix
convention and this year’s attendance topped that by
nearly 100.
Attendees give input on MTBOK
More than 100 people joined discussions on the Massage
Therapy Body of Knowledge (MTBOK). They were able to ask
questions of the MTBOK Task Force members and give their
input on content and development of the newly-released
draft opened for public comment on September 15. The
Task Force is responsible for initiating a
profession-wide and unifying effort to articulate a
common body of knowledge for the profession.
The Task Force and the MTBOK Stewards also were
recognized by AMTA leadership at the convention opening
session that morning.
National Award Recipients
AMTA recognized many members for their contributions to
the association and the profession. Sally Hacking
received the President’s Award for her long-standing
assistance in AMTA government relations and in helping
achieve successful AMTA legislative initiatives in 17
states. Other individual national recipients are:
Cliff DeWitt of the Virginia Chapter – Sports Massage
Achiever Award
Jeffrey Myers of the Massachusetts Chapter –
Humanitarian Award
Co-recipients Beverly May (California Chapter) and Nancy Porambo (Pennsylvania
Chapter) Outstanding Government Relations Activist
Award
Brenda L. Griffith of the National Governance Committee
– Outstanding
Volunteer Group Chair Award
Virginia H. Anthony-Barrow of the New Mexico Chapter –
National Meritorious
Award
Carey Elizabeth Smith, this year’s AMTA Council of
Schools Jerome Perlinski Teacher of the Year Award
recipient was also recognized at the convention opening
session and at the teachers’ luncheon. And, 151 members
were recognized for their membership anniversaries of
25-55 years.
Speeches available online
The text of opening session speeches by President Stahl
and Executive Director Lucas are
available online. Member video testimonials shown during the session also
are available at the same internet location.
AMTA members convene for their convention each fall for
educational workshops, information about current
research on the efficacy of massage, association
business meetings and a tradeshow. The 2010 AMTA
national convention will be held in Minneapolis, MN
September 22-25.
The American Massage Therapy Association is the largest
non-profit, professional association for massage
therapists with some 58,000 members. The association is
directed by volunteer leadership and fosters ongoing,
direct member-involvement through its 51 chapters. AMTA
works to advance the profession through ethics and
standards, the promotion of fair and consistent
licensing of massage therapists in all states, and
public education on the benefits of massage.
Minor revisions 10/5/09
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American Massage Therapy Association®
