Agenda
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
| 3:00 pm | Registration Open | Ballroom Pre-Function Area |
| 4:00 pm | Hack-A-Thon Workshop: Apprenticeships (Pre-registration requested. RSVP during registration) Apprenticeship programs are being considered as an alternative pathway to education and career entry across various lines of work, but does this model fit the unique needs of the massage therapy profession? In this Hack-A-Thon-style session, participants will engage in rapid, collaborative problem-solving to explore perspectives and pitfalls of apprenticeships in massage therapy regulation. Together with colleagues, you’ll have the opportunity to brainstorm solutions, evaluate pros and cons, and develop actionable strategies to help address this evolving conversation in the profession. | Rock Knob |
| 6:00 pm | Meet in hotel lobby for dinner | |
| 6:15 pm | Board executive coach to travel to dinner | |
| 6:30 pm | Dinner at Alma Scottsdale |
Thursday, April 3, 2025
| 7:30 am | Registration Open | Ballroom Pre-Function Area |
| 7:30 am | Breakfast | Quartz Room |
| 8:30 am | Welcome Dr. Debra Persinger, FSMTB Executive Director | Calderwood/Crismon |
| 8:30-9:00 am | Keynote: Collaborating for Change: Insights from the Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network Stacey Sutherland, Director of TRUST, Arizona Anti Trafficking Network Join us for an eye-opening presentation by Stacey Sutherland of the Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network (AATN), where you’ll learn how this vital initiative is tackling human trafficking through collaboration, resources, and community outreach. Gain key takeaways that massage therapy boards can implement in their own states to help move towards eliminating human trafficking. | Calderwood/Crismon |
| 9:00-10:00 am | Panel Discussion re: Massage Education Standards – How to Better Collaborate Christina Bargdill, Virginia Board of Nursing Deputy Executive Director Sandra Freeman, State Counsel of Higher Education for Virginia Private Postsecondary Education Director Kimberly Hodge, Tennessee Higher Education Commission Compliance Officer Tom Ryan, Wisconsin Massage Therapy & Bodywork Therapy Affiliated Credentialing Board Executive Director Discuss strategies for effective collaboration between massage regulators and state education agencies to support strong massage education standards. Hear from massage board executive directors and state higher education authorizers as they share insights, challenges, and best practices for working together. | Calderwood/Crismon |
| 10:00-10:30 am | Networking Break | |
| 10:30-11:00 am | Hack-A-Thon Workshop Report Out Facilitators: Kevin Snedden, Director – Industry Relations, FSMTB Mai Lin Petrine, Director – Legal and Regulatory Affairs, FSMTB | Calderwood/Crismon |
| 11:00-11:45 am | IMpact: Advancing Regulation, Mobility, and Public Protection Patty Glenn, Director – Education and Professional Mobility, FSMTB Get the facts about IMpact (the Interstate Massage Compact) and what it means for regulatory boards, massage therapists, and public protection. This session will address common misconceptions and provide an opportunity to explore how IMpact can transform the industry’s approach to legal regulations and licensing. | Calderwood/Crismon |
| 11:45 am – 12:45 pm | Networking Lunch | Quartz Room |
| 12:45-1:15 pm | FSMTB Programs and Services Focus: CE Registry and REACH Ellen Helmich, Assistant Director – Continuing Education, FSMTB Gain insight about how REACH and CE Registry work together to support regulatory boards and LMTs in maintaining compliance, ethics, and professional competence. Learn how these programs provide the tools and trusted resources needed to enforce license renewal requirements, uphold industry standards and ensure credibility within the massage therapy profession. | Calderwood/Crismon |
| 1:15-2:15 pm | Identifying Licensure Fraud (as an Anti-Human Trafficking Tool) Colby Dixon, Assistant Director – Data and Compliance, FSMTB Susie Osborne, Montana Board of Massage Therapy Executive Officer Adrienne Price, Georgia Board of Massage Therapy Executive Director John Price, Idaho Board of Massage Therapy Executive Officer Learn how FSMTB detects education and licensure fraud and works with massage regulators to advance integrity in massage therapy licensing, as well as combat human trafficking. Hear firsthand experiences and strategies from state boards about how collaboration with FSMTB has helped improve the effectiveness of massage regulation in their jurisdictions. | Calderwood/Crismon |
| 2:15-2:45 pm | Networking Break | |
| 2:45-3:45 pm | Tricky Scenarios and Board Best Practices Doug Jennings, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation General Counsel Explore real-life, challenging board scenarios and learn best practices for handling them with confidence and professionalism. This session will provide practical insights and strategies to navigate complex board situations effectively. | Calderwood/Crismon |
| 3:45 pm | Wrap Up and Preview of Tomorrow | |
| 6:00 pm | Dinner/Evening Event | 6th Floor Red View Terrace |
Friday, April 4, 2025
| 7:30 am | Breakfast | Quartz Room |
| 8:30 am | Welcome and Overview of the Day Dr. Debra Persinger, FSMTB Executive Director | Calderwood/Crismon |
| 8:30-9:00 am | Applying Communication Theory to Uncover Barriers to Trust Mara McGhee, Manager – Membership Services, FSMTB This session examines the intersection of media studies and political communication, exploring how communication theories explain the role of misinformation in fostering distrust toward legislators and government agencies. Through an analysis of media influence, the spread of misinformation, and its impact on public perception, this discussion highlights the broader implications for governance. | Calderwood/Crismon |
| 9:00-10:00 am | Reimagining Relationships with Legislators Todd Baughman, Policy Development Group Lobbyist Dr. Selina Bliss, Arizona House of Representatives, Chair, House Committee Health and Human Services Sharon Oliver, Maryland State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners Executive Director This session will explore common barriers to trust between policymakers and their constituents and provide practical strategies for building stronger, more productive relationships. Learn how to foster meaningful connections, communicate your board’s priorities effectively, and advocate for informed decision-making that supports public protection and the profession. | Calderwood/Crismon |
| 10:00-10:30 am | Networking Break | |
| 10:30-11:30 am | Top Cases/Legal Trends Mai Lin Petrine, Director – Legal and Regulatory Affairs, FSMTB Get familiar with top legal cases and emerging trends shaping massage therapy regulation. | Calderwood/Crismon |
| 11:30 am | Synthesis and Wrap Up Dr. Debra Persinger, FSMTB Executive Director | Calderwood/Crismon |
| 11:45 am | Grab & Go Refreshments |