#AMTA12: A Preconference Preview

This post is coming a month earlier than usual, but I’m excited to write it!

This week, the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) is hosting it’s annual conference, this year at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles IL (just outside of Chicago). This is the time when thousands of music therapists from around the world get together for a long weekend of learning, inspiration, growth, networking, and fun.

Every year, I write a pre-conference and post-conference article. This year is no exception. So are you heading to St. Charles this week? If so—and if you’re interested in connecting—here’s where you’ll find me:

Thursday

• 8:00 am – noon: Government Relations committee meeting
• 1:30-5:30 pm: Education and Training Advisory Board (ETAB) meeting (Where I will be listening in on the discussions concerning a possible move to a master’s level entry)
• 7:00 – 9:30 pm: Opening session (I have it on good authority that there’s a special little warm-up act happening. Cool!)
• 9:30 – 11:30 pm: Exhibit Hall Spectacular (find me at the Music Therapy Pro or Advocacy Booth)

Friday

• 7:30 – 8:30 am: IL Advocacy Recognition breakfast
• 10:30 am – noon: AMTA Professional Business Meeting (I’m especially excited about the awards part. Come to this meeting to find out why!)
• Noon – 1:00 pm: Iowa lunch (catching up with my Hawkeye peeps and meeting new ones!)
• 3:45 – 4:45 pm: Make the Connection: State Recognition Advocacy and YOU (the annual advocacy and state recognition session co-presented by Judy Simpson, Dena Register, and your truly)
• 6:00 pm: Tweetup (This is quickly turning into one of my favorite conference events. And that’s saying something!)

Saturday

• 8:00 – 9:15 am: Midwestern Region Business Meeting
• 10:45 – 11:30 am: Music Therapy Round Table podcast recording (Want to be a part of the show? For details, follow #MTPro on Twitter or look for a sign at the Music Therapy Pro booth in the Exhibit hall.)
• 1:30 – 3:30 pm: Research Poster Session (I’m presenting a research poster! My first!)
• 5:30 – 6:30 pm: AMTA Professional Business Meeting
• 6:30 – 8:00 pm: Annual State Task Force Reception hosted by AMTA and CBMT

Sunday

• 8:00 – 9:00 am: My solo presentation, titled “Calm from the Head to My Toes: Music Therapy for Emotion Regulation”

Unfortunately, this doesn’t even touch the surface of all the amazing events and sessions happening at conference this year. But we do the best we can, right? During breaks, I’ll be hanging out in the Exhibit Hall, checking out session of interest (or those presented by friends), or in line at the nearest coffee shop. I look forward to seeing/meeting/connecting with you there!

Not heading to conference this year? You can catch all the action—some of which has already started!—by following the #AMTA12 hashtag on Twitter.

Tagged as: AMTA12, Conference, Music Therapy