Wednesday, April 22
| 5 pm | Registration Location: Waterplace Pre-Function |
Thursday, April 23
| 8:30 am | Registration Location: Waterplace Pre-Function |
| 8:30-9:25 am | Networking Breakfast Location: South County |
| 9:30 am | Welcome Location: Waterplace Ballroom Dr. Debra Persinger, FSMTB Executive Director |
| 9:30-10:15 am | Public Engagement with Purpose Location: Waterplace Ballroom Caroline Espinosa, Director of Strategic Communication, Texas Division of Licensing and Regulation Bob Ruark, Executive Director, Oregon Board of Massage Therapists, Executive Director Ahmos Netanel, CEO, California Massage Therapy Council Facilitator: Kevin Snedden, FSMTB Director – Industry Relations Explore successful strategies for outreach and public engagement with constituents. From rotating board meetings to newsletters and licensee town halls, learn how boards can foster trust and transparency. |
| 10:15-11 am | Understanding and Responding to Misinformation Location: Waterplace Ballroom Mara McGhee, MA, FSMTB Manager – Member Services This session will examine misinformation through a research-based lens, exploring how it forms, spreads, and influences public perception. Building on this foundation, the session will consider practical implications and response strategies boards can use to address misinformation while supporting transparency and public trust. |
| 11-11:30 am | Networking Break Location: Waterplace Ballroom |
| 11:30 am-12:30 pm | Synaptic: Advancing Support Through Technology Location: Waterplace Ballroom Brenna Hawley-Craig, Solution Architect, Synaptic Era Sahil Kumar, Vice President – Customer Success and Delivery, Synaptic Era Bojan Cubela, Vice President – Public Sector & GMT, Synaptic Era Learn how FSMTB is leveraging technology to modernize regulatory functions and support your processes. |
| 12:30-1:10 pm | Networking Lunch Location: South County |
| 1:15-1:30 pm | School Closings and MBLEx® Applicants Location: Waterplace Ballroom Mai Lin Petrine, Esq., FSMTB Director – Legal and Regulatory Affairs This session will discuss the impact of school closures on MBLEx applicants. |
| 1:30–2:15 pm | Investigation Best Practices Location: Waterplace Ballroom Brian Henry, Lead Investigator, Delaware Division of Professional Regulation Jason Shawver, Investigations Supervisor, State Medical Board of Ohio This session will provide an overview of best practices and the role of collaboration in investigations. |
| 2:15-3:45 pm | Hack-A-Thon Workshop: Education and School Approval Location: Waterplace Ballroom Facilitators: Mai Lin Petrine, Esq., FSMTB Director – Legal and Regulatory Affairs Kevin Snedden, FSMTB Director – Industry Relations This Hack-A-Thon style session will focus on developing standards, criteria, and requirements for massage school and program approval. Participants will explore what has worked well in various states, what challenges have emerged, and how those insights can inform stronger, more consistent approaches to oversight. |
| 3:45-4:15 pm | Networking Break Location: Waterplace Ballroom |
| 4:15-4:45 pm | Hack-A-Thon Report Out Location: Waterplace Ballroom |
| 4:45-5:30 pm | Sharing Successes and Challenges Location: Waterplace Ballroom 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. |
| 5:30 pm | Wrap Up Location: Waterplace Ballroom |
| 6 pm | On-Site Networking Dinner Location: Providence Ballroom |
Friday, April 24
| 8-8:40 am | Networking Breakfast Location: South County |
| 8:45 am | Welcome Location: Waterplace Ballroom |
| 8:45-9:30 am | Tricky Scenarios and Board Best Practices Location: Waterplace Ballroom Facilitator: David Marzilli, Esq., Legal Counsel, Rhode Island Department of Health Explore real-life challenging board scenarios and learn best practices for handling them with confidence and professionalism. |
| 9:30-9:45 am | IMpact Update: Current Status and Recent Developments Location: Waterplace Ballroom Dr. Debra Persinger, FSMTB Executive Director 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. |
| 9:45-10:30 am | A Rebuttal to The Licensing Racket: Arguments that Licensing Boards Can Employ Against Deregulation Location: Waterplace Ballroom Donald Balasa, JD, MBA, CEO and Legal Counsel, American Association of Medical Assistants This session will discuss flaws in the arguments against licensing in The Licensing Racket and will assist licensing boards in developing arguments and marshaling evidence against deregulation efforts. |
| 10:30-10:45 am | Networking Break Location: Waterplace Ballroom |
| 10:45-11:30 am | De(fending) Regulation Location: Waterplace Ballroom Facilitator: Gloria Lindsey, Executive Director, Missouri State Board of Therapeutic Massage In this interactive session, groups will tackle prompts about deregulation arguments and practices. Participants will brainstorm strategies to protect and strengthen regulatory standards, leaving with actionable ideas and a practical toolkit. |
| 11:30-11:45 am | Leveraging FSMTB: Resources to Strengthen Board Effectiveness Location: Waterplace Ballroom Mara McGhee, MA, FSMTB Manager – Member Services Explore FSMTB’s latest and upcoming educational events and resources designed to enhance board effectiveness, support regulatory excellence, and equip boards for today’s challenges. |
| 11:45 am | Wrap Up and Conclusion Location: Waterplace Ballroom |