Remembrance of conferences past …
AMT Chairperson Spring Message
by Keryn Rose
The AMT Annual Conference is only a few months away now and, having recently returned to the Board after a 16-year hiatus, I’ve had pause to reflect on how past AMT conferences have influenced and supported my career.
Attending AMT conferences has always been more than just a professional obligation for me—it’s been a pivotal part of my journey as a massage therapist. I vividly remember my first AMT conference, where the only delegates I knew were a couple of fellow graduates from TAFE. The connections I made became the foundation of my professional network, where morning tea breaks and lunches transformed into opportunities to connect with like-minded peers. Whether it was exchanging tips during practical sessions or simply finding camaraderie among other sole-practitioner colleagues, these serendipitous interactions provided unexpected benefits that enriched my practice in ways I hadn’t anticipated.
For instance, being paired with a therapist during a practical workshop yielded invaluable advice about the right footwear to ease the strain of being on my feet all day. Another chance encounter connected me with a therapist from my town who was going on maternity leave. She later referred a flood of new clients to me.
Being at the conference literally kick-started my practice and ensured my longevity in the profession I love.
The formal plenary sessions also left me invigorated, brimming with new ideas and a deeper understanding of our industry.
AMT conferences have consistently provided me with a reliable footing and a profound, much-needed sense of community. Friendships that began at conference have endured more than two decades now, through an extraordinary amount of evolution and change in the industry. Consequently, I have never walked alone as a therapist, no matter how many years I have spent working alone with clients in clinic.
We tend to view social media as our primary point of professional connection nowadays but, take it from someone who has experienced both the country and western of professional networking: nothing beats the three-dimensional depth of interacting with colleagues in person over a full weekend.
This year’s AMT conference offers more than just professional development hours: it’s an opportunity to recharge and soak in the serene surroundings of Ballina. And it’s tax deductible!
I live and work in the Northern Rivers region of NSW so I acknowledge that I am incredibly biased about the lure of Ballina as a conference destination – the clear ocean waters and rock pools; the feel of sand between the toes; the languorous flow of the Richmond River as it winds out to sea. And, of course, there is the Big Prawn which now adorns the front of a Bunnings car park …
Whether you prefer camping under the stars, booking a cheap and cheerful cabin in a holiday park, or indulging in a luxurious stay in Ballina, Byron, or Lennox Head, there’s an option for everyone.
So if you haven’t yet registered to attend, now is the moment. Earlybird rates finish on August 31. That’s only a few days away. Don’t miss this chance to blend rest, relaxation, and professional growth. The conference is not just an event, it’s an experience that will leave you feeling revitalised and inspired. Who knows, you might even be lucky enough to start friendships that endure more than twenty years!
I would love to meet you there.
About the author
Keryn has been a member of AMT since 2002. As a high school student, a remark made to her about massage therapy being a hobby not a profession drove her to seek out a full-time TAFE course. She never looked back. At her first AMT conference, Keryn asked an interesting question at the AGM. This sealed her fate, first as a regional representative for Northern Rivers and later as an AMT Director. Turns out, you can’t keep a good woman down. AMT welcomes her back as Chairperson of the Board.
