By Alex R. Thiersch, JD, CEO of the American Med Spa Association (AmSpa)

Starting Friday, October 18, AmSpa will host its Nashville Medical Spa Boot Camp in the heart of Music City at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Nashville. We are excited to bring in new voices to share tried-and-true business strategies specific to medical spas from industry experts and established owners who have been where you are. Whether you are a medical professional transitioning from the hospital setting or an entrepreneur venturing into this booming industry, AmSpa’s Medical Spa Boot Camps will give you the tools and connections to elevate your practice and boost your profitability. Don’t miss this opportunity—register now and transform your business!

Friday, October 18

The Boot Camp kicks off with a welcome reception, sponsored by Allergan Aesthetics.

6 – 7:30 p.m.: Friday Night Kickoff Reception—Meet other medical aesthetic professionals from across the country to build your community. This event features a full open bar and passed hors d'oeuvres.

Saturday, October 19

The Boot Camp begins at 8 a.m. with a continental breakfast. My opening keynote follows at 8:30 a.m. From there, we will move into the main program:

• 9 – 10 a.m.: The Plan, presented by John Castañeda Rodriguez (Ethos MedSpa)—What are the most effective ways to develop a business plan for your medical spa? Rodriguez shares his 25 years of experience in the industry as he discusses the ins and outs of the planning process and helps you determine how long it realistically takes to open a practice.
• 10 – 10:45 a.m.: The Financials, presented by James Turcott (Skytale Group)—Do you know your medical spa’s strengths and weaknesses? This presentation will discuss how to maximize, predict and follow up on financial metrics to reach your medical spa’s financial goals.
• 1:15 – 3:15 p.m.: The Law, presented by Sam Pondrom, JD, (ByrdAdatto) and Alex R. Thiersch, JD (AmSpa)—In this presentation, Sam Pondrom, JD, and Alex R. Thiersch, JD, will discuss the long-standing and emerging legal issues that every medical spa owner needs to know about. As you can imagine, there is a lot to cover here, since new concerns seem to be arising daily.
• 3:45 – 4:30 p.m.: The Marketing Plan and Social Media, presented by Ryan McElwain (DoctorLogic)—Learn the right marketing techniques for your medical spa, along with budgeting frameworks and a social media strategy that aligns with your goals and manpower.
• 4:30 – 5:15 p.m.: Consultations That Convert, presented by Terri Ross (Terri Ross Consulting)—As the old saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Learn how to put your best foot forward with effective patient consultations—and how to turn them into consistent business.

Saturday continues its programming with drinks and appetizers from 5 – 6:30 p.m. Following drinks is the Boot Camp and AIA reception and Dr. Surek book signing opportunity from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., allowing Boot Camp attendees to meet other medical aesthetic professionals who are attending the Academy for Injection Anatomy Advanced Cadaver Course. Saturday concludes with an educational keynote and session* from 7:30 – 9 p.m., sponsored by Galderma.

*Denotes session not eligible for CME credit.

Sunday, October 20

The Boot Camp begins at 8 a.m. with a continental breakfast.

• 8:30 – 9 a.m.: How Emotional Intelligence Will Make or Break Your Business, presented by Cathy Christensen (AmSpa)
• 9 – 9:30 a.m.: KPIs: How Knowing Them Will Maximize Your Revenue, presented by James Turcott (Skytale Group)—James Turcott from Skytale Group will teach you about the top 12 most important service categories and common mistakes to avoid. This session will help you determine how to increase your hourly value and learn to measure your KPIs to increase overall profitability.
• 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.: The Team, presented by John Castañeda Rodriguez (Ethos MedSpa)—A medical spa is only as good as its personnel, so it’s important to make sure you hire a staff that can do everything you want it to—and more. In this session, you’ll learn about recruiting, hiring and retaining employees who can make your medical spa dreams come true.
• 10:45 – 11:30 a.m.: Choosing the Right Treatments for Your Medical Aesthetics Practice, presented by Taylor Siemens, NP-C (Vitalyc Medspa)—Siemens will teach you how to weigh and assess the right treatments for your practice to offer, from injectables to lasers to ancillary treatments, like hair restoration and sexual wellness offerings.
• 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Medical Spa Success Panel, Moderated by Cathy Christensen (AmSpa); Panelists: Shannon Grace, NP-C (Grace Aesthetics); Molly Muecke, RN, MSN, NP-C (Astra Aesthetics)— Medical spa leaders will discuss their paths to growth and success in this dynamic industry.

Meet Our Nashville Medical Spa Boot Camp Faculty

Cathy Christensen, AmSpa

Cathy Christensen is the President and chief operating officer of the American Med Spa Association (AmSpa), and has been with the company since its infancy, joining as director of operations in 2013. Prior to this, she worked in the publishing industry, where she began as an editorial assistant and transitioned into her second career in operations of AmSpa after climbing the ladder to become the editor-in-chief of Skin Inc. magazine and the conference director of the Face & Body events. Christensen has contributed to AmSpa’s significant growth since 2013, and oversees team members who specialize in marketing, membership, sales, events, legal and content. She prides herself in her ability to embrace challenges and persevere, and even have a little fun while doing it.

Ryan McElwain, DoctorLogic

Ryan McElwain is a digital marketing veteran with more than 10 years of experience. While he launched his career with a focus in automotive, he has since made a name for himself helping health care providers and medical spa owners across the U.S. grow their businesses through online tactics. While always emphasizing the importance of SEO and PPC, he now runs a multi-disciplinary team of search and social experts at DoctorLogic.

Sam Pondrom, JD, ByrdAdatto

After graduating from Oklahoma State University, an intrinsic sense of curiosity and a keen eye for details led Sam Pondrom, JD, to work as an accountant for two Engineering News-Record top 40 construction firms. It was there where he honed his ability to analyze complex problems and craft clear, concise answers. Utilizing these skills, Pondrom works in partnership with clients addressing their complex business and health care regulatory issues in the most simple, straightforward way. He lectures to doctors and other providers throughout the country at medical conferences on a myriad of issues dealing with the business of medicine.

John Castañeda Rodriguez, Ethos MedSpa

John Castañeda Rodriguez has more than 25 years of business experience, including founding three successful medical spa practices, a salon and a skin care line. As a former executive pastor and a chief operating officer of a $140-million company, he found his passion in helping people reach their full potential. Rodriguez now brings that same passion to the medical aesthetic industry, believing in the empowerment of making people feel beautiful inside and out. As a sought-after aesthetic industry key opinion leader, Rodriguez combines his decades of experience and practical approach to business to captivate his audiences. His lighthearted humor and unassuming, approachable style make him a conference favorite.

Terri Ross, Terri Ross Consulting

Terri Ross is a globally recognized practice management expert, renowned thought leader, international speaker and high-performance sales coach specializing in medical aesthetics. With her expertise, she has propelled numerous medical aesthetic practices and Fortune 500 companies in the field to unparalleled success. Ross has been instrumental in helping practices achieve growth, scaling upwards of $2.5 million in a single year. For nearly a decade, Ross served as the founder and CEO of Terri Ross Consulting, a highly successful practice management firm. Recognizing a crucial need in the industry, she founded the APX Platform—an innovative practice optimization solution that has disrupted the aesthetic industry. Returning to her true passion, Ross is fully engaged in leveraging her proven methodologies and hands-on practice management expertise to drive strategic growth, refine sales techniques and enhance profitability for individual aesthetic practices and companies.

Taylor Siemens, NP-C, Vitalyc Medspa

Taylor Siemens, NP-C, a board-certified nurse practitioner recognized by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, is a dynamic force in the world of aesthetic medicine. As the vice president of operations at Vitalyc Medspa and the founder of My Aesthetic Training, she seamlessly marries the expertise of a practitioner of medicine with that of a multi-site business operator. Siemens's journey into aesthetic medicine commenced as an operating room nurse specializing in facial plastic surgery. Through her diverse patient interactions, Taylor has honed a profound understanding of the aging process, fueling her skillset in crafting comprehensive, multi-modality treatment solutions that align seamlessly with patients' aesthetic objectives.

Alex R. Thiersch, JD, AmSpa

Alex R. Thiersch, JD, is the founder of the American Med Spa Association, and he is also a partner at the business, health care and aesthetic law firm of ByrdAdatto. He has extensive experience representing industry professionals before state medical boards and is one of the most sought-after speakers in the country regarding matters of practice management and medical aesthetic law, including conferences for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the Global Aesthetics Conference, Vegas Cosmetic Surgery, the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, the Medical Spa Show and others.

James Turcott, Skytale Group

James Turcott is a partner at Skytale Group who excels at simplifying the way clients view the financial performance of their business. Through numerous types of reporting models, Turcott ensures clients understand what the data actually means. When provided accurate and timely data, clients can confidently makes necessary adjustments to their business and capitalize on new opportunities.

Visit Industry-leading Vendors

Also, you’ll have the chance to visit with a number of exceptional vendors through-out this event. Attend the Nashville Medical Spa Boot Camp to check out the latest and greatest from the following companies:

• Aerolase
• Allergan Aesthetics
• Boulevard
• BuildMyHealth
• CareCredit
• CEDR HR Solutions
• Clarius
• Doctorlogic
• Environ/DermaConcepts
• Galderma
• Lumenis
• MedShark Digital
• Merz Aesthetics
• Nextech
• PatientNow
• Sciton
• skinbetter science
• Skytale Group
• Solta Medical
• TouchMD
• ByrdAdatto
• AmSpa

More than 90% of surveyed attendees would recommend an AmSpa Medical Spa & Aesthetic Boot Camp to their colleagues. Join the more than 1,500 medical aesthetic professionals that have attended this business and legal training to build or improve their medical spa practices. We hope to see you in Nashville from October 18 – 20. Sign up here to register and enjoy our seasonal savings!

Make it a team training opportunity when you bring your injectors along. The same weekend, Chris Surek, DO, FACS, is bringing his all-star aesthetic trainers for the Nashville Academy for Injection Anatomy (AIA) Advanced Cadaver Course. Learn more and reserve their spots at https://americanmedspa.org/aiaadvanced.