Schedule
| 8:00am |
Registration BeginsContinental Breakfast Provided |
| 8:40am |
Welcoming RemarksSpeaker: Jannen Belbeck, Editor of Massage Therapy Canada |
| 8:45am |
Design Longevity into Your RMT PracticeSpeaker: Donald Quinn Dillon, RMTOf no surprise to any practitioner, massage therapy is time and labour intensive, requiring a great deal of strength and stamina. It’s particularly demanding on the small joints and muscles of the hands, but impacts the neck, back and other areas. It taxes our cognitive-emotional resources, given the complexity of conditions and populations we serve. And that comes with a cost…according to the CMTO 2020 annual report, less than 5% of Ontario RMTs remain in practice 25+ years. Practitioners who squander their work capacity or delivery-of-care design will have trouble mitigating workload for the long haul. Practitioners who practice unsustainable economics, poor delivery of care design and faulty bio-mechanics may suffer a brief, hard and unsatisfying career. Massage Therapists can enjoy vocational longevity by strategically pricing their services, designing a better delivery-of-care model, nurturing one’s body, utilizing the tools available, and employing secondary streams of income. Join us for a discussion on increasing your vocational longevity.
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| 9:35am |
How are you Being Heard? Connect, Communicate and Conquer.Speaker: Margaret Wallis-Duffy - R.M.T., C.P.C.A. Founder of Wallis for Wellness and CEO Wow New Media Inc.Are you looking to build a rock-solid practice with consistent referrals and growth? Building relationships through meaningful connection and outcomes is critical. Communication is the most powerful way to connect and build trust with your clients and strategic partners. Join Margaret Wallis-Duffy, a passionate, media trained RMT, for an engaging and practical discussion about how to stock your toolbox with effective strategies to improve your communication skills and use them to fuel your business success and create community impact.
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| 10:25am |
Networking BreakGrab a coffee and a snack and network with other thoughtful leaders in the industry. |
| 10:45am |
Lunch Keynote – Making Integrity your Brand: The True Revolution in BusinessSpeaker: Pamela Fitch, Massage Therapy Educator, Writer and ResearcherIn a world full of fake news, social media distractions and high intensity marketing, integrity has become the true revolution in business. Word-of-mouth is one of the most powerful ways that massage therapists can build their practice. When clients trust their therapist to meet their needs appropriately, they share their experience with others. While politics may challenge truth and ethical behaviour, massage therapy can provide an antidote to mistrust and fear by promoting connection and calming anxiety. When therapists make integrity and compassion part of their professional brand, they demonstrate their commitment to trustworthiness and client-centered care. This session explores the science of empathy and prosocial behaviours to demonstrate how integrity, compassion and clear communication represent one of the most effective ways to build a practice.
Canadian educator, author and practicing RMT, Pam Fitch has been helping therapists examine ethical communicative, and professional practice challenges for more than 30 years. Her text, Talking Body Listening Hands, is used as a required text in schools across Canada. Pam maintains a special interest in the effects of complex conditions and trauma on clients. |
| 12:10pm |
Lunch and Networking |
| 12:55pm |
The Benefits of AdvocacySpeaker: Michael Feraday, Executive Director of the RMTAO
One of the RMTAO’s goals in advocacy is to engage with the government to promote the importance of massage therapy for the health and well-being of Canadians and push for the general interests of RMTs in Ontario. Success in this goal will lead to more people having a greater understanding of the benefits of massage therapy and the ways massage therapy can help them. This greater understanding and support can lead more people to seek massage therapy care and make massage therapy more accessible, ultimately leading to more business for RMTs. Michael Feraday, the Executive Director of the RMTAO, will be speaking about some of the RMTAO’s advocacy efforts and how those efforts can impact RMTs directly in their practice. Massage therapy is increasing in popularity and is one of the most used paramedical benefits, and this shows a recognition by the public of the benefits of massage therapy. Michael will be speaking about the RMTAO’s efforts to increase that recognition as well as make massage therapy more accessible. For example, the RMTAO is advocating with health leaders to integrate RMTs in provincially funded health teams like Ontario Health Teams, Family Health Teams and Community Health Teams, which are all areas where other health professionals work. Inclusion in these teams will increase awareness of value of RMTs as health professionals and give the public yet another way to access massage therapy care. Michael Feraday is the Executive Director and CEO of the RMTAO. He has over 30 years’ experience in senior leadership roles, most recently as Executive Director of the Haldimand Family Health Team. He is also Co-Chair of an Ontario Health Team and has been very active supporting reforms in Health Care in Ontario. |
| 1:45pm |
Self-Care Siesta for The Massage ProfessionalSpeaker: Krista Dicks, RMTThis mini self-care class focuses on awareness to our alignment using Pilates exercises and principles for strength, stability, and a good stretch. A sampling of breath and movement that you can do right from your seat will help you connect your anatomical awareness with how the Pilates principles relate to our everyday life helping our bodies to move more efficiently, reduce risk of injury, and decrease tension. No Pilates experience needed. A willingness to take a break and breathe is recommended.
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| 2:25pm |
Networking BreakGrab a coffee and a snack and network with other thoughtful leaders in the industry. |
| 2:45pm |
“Tough topics” roundtable discussionAttendees will talk through a series of tough topics faced by RMTs. The conversation will be facilitated by the speakers of the day and we will all come together to discuss best practices. Topics include: How can I resolve an issue with a colleague or manager at my workplace? I accidentally walked in on a client in a state of undress. How should I respond? My client started crying during a massage. I froze and didn’t know how to act. What should I have done in the moment? |
| 3:35pm |
Closing RemarksEnding day speech |
Speakers
Donald Quinn Dillon
RMT
Donald Quinn Dillon, RMT is a practitioner, lecturer and practice coach. His 30+ years of practice include managing a multi-practitioner practice, and active roles with his professional association (RMTAO) in insurer and government relations.
Dillon authored the self-study workbook Charting Skills for Massage Therapists and is a columnist for Massage Therapy Canada magazine. Dillon has lectured to MT associations across Canada and is the recipient of the RMTAO’s President’s Award of Merit, two “Hand of Thanks”, and the Ken Rezsnyak award. In 2012 he received the ONE Concept award for Massage Therapist of the Year.
Dillon’s most recent projects include the guide On Practice: From Entry-Level to Established Massage Therapist and co-producing the broadcast On the Table in conjunction with Jannen Belbeck, editor of Massage Therapy Canada magazine. Find Dillon at DonDillon-RMT.com.
Krista Dicks
RMT
Krista Dicks, RMT since 2006, practices in Ottawa, Canada and is a Certified Stott Pilates instructor. She is the host of The Radical RMT Podcast and has been published in the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and received an honourable mention in the Massage Therapy Foundation Inaugural Practitioner Case Report Contest.
Krista is co-host of the first annual “Take Care of You School.” This virtual event for massage therapists focused on self-care for the massage therapist and presenters were represented globally to share their experience on topics of physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being.
It’s my goal to encourage massage therapists to experience life on their terms thanks to the opportunities we have in our profession. With a willingness to grow and self-care of body and mind I believe we can maintain long-term fulfilling careers.
You can connect with me on Instagram @kristadicks or www.kristadicks.com
Margaret Wallis-Duffy
R.M.T., C.P.C.A. Founder of Wallis for Wellness and CEO Wow New Media Inc.
Margaret is the founder of the award-winning Wallis for Wellness, and her 30 years of clinical and business experience has resulted in her being sought after as a keynote speaker, media spokesperson and business mentorship coach.
Michael Feraday
Executive Director of the RMTAO
Michael Feraday is the Executive Director and CEO of the RMTAO. He has over 30 years’ experience in senior leadership roles, most recently as Executive Director of the Haldimand Family Health Team. He is also Co-Chair of an Ontario Health Team and has been very active supporting reforms in Health Care in Ontario.
Pamela Fitch
Massage Therapy Educator, Writer and Researcher
Canadian educator, author and practicing RMT, Pam Fitch has been helping therapists examine ethical communicative, and professional practice challenges for more than 30 years. Her text, Talking Body Listening Hands, is used as a required text in schools across Canada. Pam maintains a special interest in the effects of complex conditions and trauma on clients.
