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Report from the World Massage Festival

Champ and I got home from the World Massage Festival this morning, and while I’m tired, I must say it’s that good, satisfying kind of tired, the kind you feel when you’ve really had a great time. We certainly did!This year’s Festival was held on the beautiful campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC, and as usual, it was like a family reunion! We got there on Wednesday, in time for me to take Ruth Werner’s class on Teaching Research Literacy. That night, about 20 or so of us who were helping with the Festival went out to dinner together. Everyone sang Happy Birthday to Champ (his 59th). We sat around for a couple of hours just catching up.

Thursday, I spent the day helping with registrations while Champ helped people set up in the vendor hall. There were about 80+ vendors present and by the end of the weekend, quite a few of them had sold all their product and signed on for next year in Las Vegas. Lots of goodies were given away…and I even got some extras. AMTA National VP Nancy Porambo won a diamond charm bracelet and she gifted it to me (thank you, Nancy!). Champ is famous for winning raffles and he won a nice set of essential oils. Lynda Solien-Wolfe was there representing Performance Health/Biofreeze and she was giving away the goods everywhere! I love that company and all their products…I’ve been selling Biofreeze since day 1 at my office and it’s a best-seller.

Thursday night there was an awards ceremony. I was not expecting to get an award, and I was really worn out from working registration all day and I almost didn’t go. I’m glad I dragged myself there, because I received the Government Relations award. Of all the kudos I’ve ever gotten in my life, I have to say that one pleases me the most. I would have dressed up for the occasion if I had known I was going to have to go on stage, and I was slightly embarrassed to be getting an award in a pair of jeans and t-shirt…but hey, it was a special t-shirt that Cindy Michaels embroidered just for me! ABMP was recognized as the Association of the Year for the third year in a row. Ryan Hoyme, Pat Donahue, Darcy Neibur, Mike Hinkle Jr, and Vivian Madison-Mahoney and her husband John were also honored, and Ruth accepted an award for the Massage Therapy Foundation. I’m probably forgetting someone! Mike Hinkle and James Waslaski handed out the awards.

Friday morning I taught a class in Using Research to Market Your Massage Therapy Practice. Friday night, the amazing Lori Stegner entertained a big crowd, first as Patsy Cline and then as Tina Turner. I roped my favorite and very talented cousin Todd Rollins into playing a set with me in between Lori’s performances and then after the show, we led a jam session. Ruth Werner started things off by singing some Beatles’ tunes. Ralph Stephens had his washboard so we played a few bluegrass songs, too. Several other attendees got up and sang…kind of a live karaoke! We had a blast.

I spent Saturday in the vendor hall visiting with all kinds of people and doing massage in the Sweet Serenity booth. Sweet Serenity is a project started by Darcy Neibur to raise money for charity. The proceeds from this event went to the Shriner’s Burn Center and we raised $800. I not only gave, I received, and I got a great reflexology session from Travis Alligood. He saved the day for me. READ MORE....

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Comment by Mike Hinkle on July 23, 2011 at 12:02pm: WMF It was the EMMY'S for Massage!

Comment by Darcy Neibaur on July 22, 2011 at 8:57am: I too enjoyed learning all the histories behind the Hall of Fame Inductees. They were all so interesting. Thank you also Laura for helping with Sweet Serenity and raising funds for the Children at Shriners Hospital Burn Unit in Greenville, SC. I am still in Awe.Everyone was so generous. We truly are one big family. I also enjoyed the down time of getting to know some of the instructors on a more personal level. I just love the Circle of Life. Life changing friendships from this Festival I am taking with me. Thank you all for giving so much of yourselves for us all.

Comment by Mike Hinkle on July 20, 2011 at 11:15am: It was special for many people. What I really like about Festival is how so many people learned so much more about the people that some of them had known for decades. Many did not know that Ralph Stephens is in the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame- twice! They had no idea Leon Chaitow had been in a movie! I really enjoyed Judith Aston's delightful sense of humor. She was a perfect choice for Keynote speaker and Sidney Duncan gets Kudos for that one. What really makes us special is that there is no pecking order. People let their hair down. Everyone helps and has fun. I want to thank ALL the volunteers and especially you and Champ for your never-ending help. Now, it's time for the road to Las Vegas!