2026 Annual Meeting » 2026 Annual Meeting Agenda

Wednesday, October 21

3:30 pm | Registration
Location: Presidio 1 Foyer
4:30-5:30 pm | Orientation to Annual Meeting and Delegate Voting
Location: Hyde 2-3

Whether you’re a first-time delegate or a returning participant, this session will get you oriented to your role in the FSMTB Annual Meeting — so you can make the most of your state’s representation and confidently participate in the decision-making process.
5:45-7 pm | Welcome Reception
Location: Central Park Terrace

Join us as we kick off the Annual Meeting with this reception featuring light refreshments and an opportunity to meet and mingle with regulatory peers from across the nation.

Thursday, October 22

6-6:45 am | Morning Yoga
Location: Presidio 1-2

Start your day with an energizing yoga session designed to promote relaxation and well-being before diving into a full day of learning and discussion.
7-7:55 am | Registration
Location: Presidio 1 Foyer
7-7:55 am | Networking Breakfast
Location: Central Park Terrace
8 am | Welcome, Call to Order, and Roll Call
Location: Presidio 3-5
Elisabeth (Liz) Barnard, LMT, Executive Director of the Nevada State Board of Massage Therapy, FSMTB President
Keynote Session
Location: Presidio 3-5
10-10:30 am | Networking Break
Location: Presidio 1 Foyer
10:30 | President’s Report
Location: Presidio 3-5
Liz Barnard, LMT, Executive Director of the Nevada State Board of Massage Therapy, FSMTB President

Explore FSMTB’s strategic vision and organizational priorities. The FSMTB president will present an overview of the organization’s key initiatives guiding its ongoing mission.
FSMTB Treasurer’s Report
Location: Presidio 3-5
Caroline Guerin, LMT, Presiding Officer of the Texas Massage Therapy Advisory Board, FSMTB Treasurer

Gain insight into FSMTB’s current financial standing and long-term fiscal stewardship. The FSMTB treasurer will present an overview of the organization’s finances.
Presentation of Candidates for Election
Location: Presidio 3-5
Craig Knowles, LMT, Georgia Board of Massage Therapy and Chair, FSMTB Nominating Committee Chair
Presentation of Resolutions and Bylaw Amendments
Location: Presidio 3-5
Paul Andrews, LMT, Massachusetts Board of Registration of Massage Therapy and Chair, FSMTB 2026 Policy Committee
IMpact™ Update: Current Status and Recent Developments
Location: Presidio 3-5

Stay informed about the IMpact (Interstate Massage Compact) with a review of recent developments and the initiative’s current status, including what boards need to know going forward.
Committee Reports
Location: Presidio 3-5
Intro to Afternoon Educational Session
Location: Presidio 3-5
Liz Barnard, LMT, Executive Director of the Nevada State Board of Massage Therapy, FSMTB President
12-1 pm | Networking Lunch
Location: Central Park Terrace
1 pm | From Procedure to Practice: Interactive Board Training
Location: Presidio 3-5
Dale Atkinson, Esq., The Atkinson Firm, FSMTB General Counsel

Step into a live, interactive board meeting! As the hearing unfolds, audience members are invited to “freeze” the action and participate in government.
2:30-2:45 pm | Networking Break
Location: Presidio 1 Foyer
2:45 pm | Interactive Board Training Continued
Location: Presidio 3-5
Dale Atkinson, Esq., The Atkinson Firm, FSMTB General Counsel

Step into a live, interactive board meeting! As the hearing unfolds, audience members are invited to “freeze” the action and participate in government.
Executive Session
Location: Presidio 3-5
Wrap Up
Location: Presidio 3-5
Members-Only Dinner
By Invitation Only

Friday, October 23

6-6:45 am | Morning Yoga
Location: Presidio 1-2

Start your day with an energizing yoga session designed to promote relaxation and well-being before diving into a full day of learning and discussion.
7-7:55 am | Networking Breakfast
Location: Central Park Terrace
8 am | Welcome, Call to Order, and Roll Call
Location: Presidio 3-5
Liz Barnard, LMT, Executive Director of the Nevada State Board of Massage Therapy, FSMTB President
Debate of Proposed Resolutions and Bylaw Amendments
Location: Presidio 3-5
Dale Atkinson, Esq., The Atkinson Firm, FSMTB General Counsel
FSMTB Bylaws and Resolutions Voting
Location: Presidio 3-5
Dale Atkinson, Esq., The Atkinson Firm, FSMTB General Counsel
FSMTB Elections
Location: Presidio 3-5

The Delegate Assembly will vote to elect members to the Board of Directors and to the 2026 Nominating Committee.
10-10:30 am | Networking Break
Location: Presidio 1 Foyer
10:30 am | Strengthening Public Trust Through Effective Communication
Location: Presidio 3-5

Explore effective strategies for crisis communication and managing public perception within a regulatory environment.
Sharing Successes and Challenges
Location: Presidio 3-5
Facilitator: Elise Baine, FSMTB Government Relations Specialist

In this interactive, community-building session, each jurisdiction is invited to share a recent success, a key challenge, or a meaningful story from their work. This time is designed to promote connection, spark conversation, and highlight the diverse experiences across FSMTB Member Boards.
12-1 pm | Networking Lunch
Location: Central Park Terrace
1 pm | Responding to Fraudulent Education Programs
Location: Presidio 3-5

This session will explore the ongoing challenges posed by fraudulent massage therapy education programs and their impact on licensure and public protection.
Where’s the Line? Education, Advocacy, and Lobbying Explained
Location: Presidio 3-5

Examine the important distinctions between education, advocacy, and lobbying within a regulatory context.
2-2:30 pm | Networking Break
Location: Presidio 1 Foyer
2:30 | Ethics vs. Conduct: Understanding the Difference
Location: Presidio 3-5
Sharon Oliver, Executive Director of the Maryland State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners, FSMTB Board of Directors

Examine the distinct roles of a Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct in professional regulation.
Minding the Gap: AI and Regulation
Location: Presidio 3-5
Facilitator: Paul Andrews, LMT, Chair, Massachusetts Board of Registration of Massage Therapy and Chair

This interactive session will examine practical and ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in regulatory board operations, including the potential benefits, risks, and implications of including or excluding AI tools from board meeting recordings and related processes.
3:45 pm | Closing Remarks and Adjournment
Location: Presidio 3-5
Liz Barnard, LMT, Executive Director of the Nevada State Board of Massage Therapy, FSMTB President
FSMTB Board of Directors Meeting
Location: St. James Conference Room