{"id":3680,"date":"2023-03-21T16:23:11","date_gmt":"2023-03-21T05:23:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/?p=3680"},"modified":"2023-03-21T19:11:59","modified_gmt":"2023-03-21T08:11:59","slug":"when-will-amt-be-hosting-face-to-face-events-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2023\/03\/21\/when-will-amt-be-hosting-face-to-face-events-again\/","title":{"rendered":"When will AMT be hosting face-to-face events again?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by Liz Sharkey and Rebecca Barnett<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

AMT has started to receive more regular questions from a few AMT members about a return to face-to-face workshops and big-ticket events like the AMT conference. This is not surprising given that it\u2019s now over three years since AMT has held any large face-to-face events. It\u2019s also not surprising in the context of government and media narratives declaring that the COVID pandemic is over. There. we said the C word. It\u2019s a bit like saying \u201cMacbeth\u201d in a theatre, only far more socially unacceptable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s a reasonable question for members to ask so we\u2019d like to clarify and explain the direction that AMT is taking in relation to hosting face-to-face events and why AMT has adopted a staged approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way we were and the way we are<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Over the past three years, AMT has been the industry leader in terms of COVID protocols.\u202fAnd we’re not just talking massage industry leader but health care more broadly \u2013 we know from feedback that plenty of AMT members led the COVID response in the allied health clinics they were working in based on AMT\u2019s guidance and resources<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having been at the forefront of adapting to the new \u201cnormal\u201d, AMT is mindful of the ongoing risks and instability posed by the impacts of the pandemic. The AMT Biosecurity Committee hasn\u2019t met to review AMT\u2019s guidance since 2021 but members of the committee continue to monitor the emerging data and research to assess this evidence in relation to massage therapy practice. Contrary to the prevailing narrative, the risks posed by COVID and long COVID are far from over and these need to be considered in AMT\u2019s professional development planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AMT remains careful about holding face-to-face events while COVID is circulating so unpredictably due to the continued risk of transmission, and the potential health and safety implications for attendees, staff, and the wider community including massage clients. There is still a risk of unwittingly hosting a super spreader event, especially a big gathering like the AMT annual conference which involves large numbers of people from different locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AMT has an ongoing a duty of care to our members, and we must continue to weigh up the legal and reputational consequences of holding in-person events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, some members may be unable or unwilling to attend due to health concerns or personal circumstances, which could stymy the effectiveness and inclusivity of the event. The pandemic has taught AMT a huge lesson in equity of access. Running a program of online events has enabled us to reach huge numbers of members who have traditionally struggled to attend in-person events for a variety of reasons. It would be wrong to turn our backs on these members and revert to business-as-usual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it\u2019s not just the pandemic that AMT needs to consider in its risk calculations for running large face-to-face events. Over the past few years, significant natural disasters such as floods and fires have impacted a significant portion of our membership, both emotionally and financially.\u202f Virtual events are a lifeline for these members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u202f<\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As AMT makes a staged return to in-person events and the annual conference, these are some of the factors we are encompassing in our planning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n