World’s biggest global healthcare congress creates opportunities

Press Release

World’s biggest global healthcare congress creates opportunities
For Spa and Wellness industry

3rd Annual World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress creates opportunity
to Bridge Medical and Wellness Sectors, also invites experts to submit white papers.

West Palm Beach, United States - June 24, 2010 - The Medical Tourism Association (MTA) is pleased to announce the creation of a Spa and Wellness Tract at the 3rd Annual World Medical Tourism and Global Healthcare Congress, September 22-24th, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.
MTA, in response to the growing $2 trillion global wellness industry, has expanded its offering. A dedicated Spa and Wellness Tract will cover innovative topics presented by industry leaders in order to help bridge the gap between traditional healthcare and wellness. Topics include integrative medicine, corporate health, global spa trends, special interest products and investment opportunities. With a focus on education, networking and pre-arranged business meetings and social events, attendance is projected to be 2,000 delegates from 60 counties.

Camille Hoheb, Spa and Wellness Conference Chair explains, “There is an extraordinary opportunity to explore new models with new partnerships between spas, healthcare providers, insurance companies and employers. Consumers now perceive their well-being as a ‘need’ rather than a ‘want’ - and with corporations understanding the importance for a healthy workforce, wellness tourism is on the rise –and has not yet reached its potential.”

Individuals are encouraged to submit proposals that focus on the following categories: 1) Integrative Medicine 2) Spas and Corporate Health/Workplace Wellness 3) Economic Development 4) Market Segmentation /Branding. 5) Insurance Opportunities 6) Special Interest (disabled, geriatric, retirement). The Spa and Wellness Tract call for papers closes July 20th 2010.

About the World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress
Where ~ Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, Los Angeles, California
When ~ September 22-24, 2010
What to Expect ~
· Up to 2,000 Delegates representing 60 countries
· More than 10,000 Pre-Arranged Networking Meetings
· Up to 150 Exhibitors and Sponsors
· Cocktail Receptions and Entertainment each Night
www.medicaltourismcongress.com

About the Medical Tourism Association:
The Medical Tourism Association is the first international non-profit association made up of the top international hospitals, healthcare providers, medical travel facilitators, insurance companies, and other affiliated members with the common goal of promoting the highest level of quality of healthcare to patients in a global environment.
www.medicaltourismassociation.com

For further info about speaking, sponsorship, exhibiting and membership:
Please contact: Camille Hoheb - Spa and Wellness Conference Chair, MTA Congress 2010
camille@globalspaandwellness.com
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A blog post from Senator Jenny Oropeza on Senate Bill 731

A colleague mentioned that she has seen my blog-posting and article I had written on massage therapy regulation on (California )Senator Oropeza's website. I'm very pleased and honored to have Senator Oropeza support my work. I am also pleased that she included my website and a link to the full article entitled, "A Strong Foundation" which was published in the Winter edition of MTJ (The Massage Therapy Journal.)

Below is the link:
http://dist28.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC={32DC8082-6C14-44C6-802F-AF3CDD980887}&DE={91B9C620-AD91-4840-90ED-7D2DDE474FE0}



Here's the Fact Sheet posted on Senator Oropeza's website:

SB 731 FACT SHEET

Massage Therapist Certification (Oropeza)

PURPOSE

Effective Jan. 1, 2009, this bill professionalizes and protects the field of “Massage Therapy” by creating a statewide process for certification and licensing. The process would require a specified number of educational and experience hours.

BACKGROUND

Prior to Jan. 1, 2009, the field of massage was regulated by a patchwork of local city and county regulations and requirements. Many individuals, schooled and certified by their educational facility, who wished to practice massage and travel from one city to another were required to meet multiple city licensing requirements. There was no statewide regulatory framework, no insurance or bonding requirements and no real protection for the clients against injury. Additionally, there was no safety for the practitioner against an unjust view by some individuals who believe massage is an entrance in to the sex field.

This bill created a non-profit regulatory framework paid for and supported by massage therapists to phase in educational and practice requirements in order to receive a certification. The bill eliminated the need for local jurisdictions to develop and enforce their own disparate requirements for the practice of massage.

The bill dealt only with education and certification and did not define scope issues.