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

Starting Friday, August 19, AmSpa will host its San Francisco Medical Spa & Aesthetic Boot Camp at Palace Hotel San Francisco, and we’re extremely excited for the opportunity to help medical aesthetic professionals develop their practices. There’s still time to register for the event—just sign up here. Here’s a quick overview of the program:

Friday, August 19

The Boot Camp kicks off with a welcome reception.

6 – 7:30 p.m.: Friday Kickoff Networking Reception and Keynote Speaker, sponsored by Allergan Aesthetics—Meet other medical aesthetic professionals attending the Boot Camp, as well as the Academy for Injection Anatomy Advanced Cadaver Course and the Ultrasound Fundamentals for the Aesthetic Injector training. This event features a full open bar and passed hors d'oeuvres.

Saturday, August 20

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 Bryan Durocher (Durocher Enterprises)—What are the most effective ways to develop a business plan for your medical spa? Medical spa consultant Bryan Durocher discusses the ins and outs of the planning process and helps determine how long it realistically takes to open a practice.
• 10 – 11 a.m.: The Team, presented by Bryan Durocher (Durocher Enterprises)—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.
• 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: The Digital Patient Journey for Med Spas*, presented by Chad Hacker, Associate Vice President, Global Digital Marketing, (Allergan Digital Consultants, Allergan Data Labs) 
• 12:15 – 12:25 p.m.: Ingredients and Technology to Boost ROI: What You Choose Makes an Impact*, presented by Cathy Wainwright (Environ/Dermaconcepts)
• 12:25 – 12:35 p.m.: The Anti-Aging Eye Duo*, presented by Michelle Osorio (Epionce)
• 12:35 – 12:45 p.m.: Create Your Workflows and Exceed Patient Expectations*, presented by Randy Torban (Symplast)
• 12:45 – 1:45 p.m.: Cool Sculpting Elite Business Opportunity, presented by Sarah Woods, Regional Practice Manager, Cool Sculpting (Allergan Aesthetics)
• 1:45 – 3:45 p.m.: The Law, presented by Renee Coover, JD (ByrdAdatto) and Alex R. Thiersch, JD (AmSpa)—In this presentation, Renee Coover, 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.
• 4:15 – 5 p.m.: Consultations That Convert, presented by Terri Ross (APX Platform)—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 with Vendors and a demonstration of RF Skin Tightening, sponsored by Boulevard, from 5 – 6:30 p.m. Following drinks is the Saturday Night Networking 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, with speaker Christopher C. Surek, DO, FACS, and presented by Meghan Jordan, Galderma.

Sunday, August 21

The Boot Camp begins at 8 a.m. with a continental breakfast, sponsored by Podium. Hayden Knudsen, Podium, will present Enhance Revenue with Text Marketing*.

• 8:30 – 9 a.m.: The Five Best Practices of Best Practices, presented by Nicole Chiaramonte (Synergy MedAesthetics). Nicole Chiaramonte is one of the most successful independent entrepreneurs in medical aesthetics. In her years in the industry, she has seen a lot of medical spas come and go, and in this session, she’ll speak about the five things the most successful ones have in common.
• 9 – 10 a.m.: The Financials, presented by Jessica Nunn (Maven Financial Partners)—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.
• 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.: The Medical Spa Success Panel, Moderated by Alex Thiersch, JD (AmSpa); Panelists: Sahar Saghezchi (Cupertino Facial Esthetics); Neekan Rivera, PA (Aere Aesthetics); and Simran Sethi, MD, MBA (ReNewMD Wellness)—Medical spa leaders will discuss their paths to growth and success in this dynamic industry.
• 12:30 – 1 p.m.: KPI’s: How Knowing Them Will Maximize Your Revenue, presented by Terri Ross (APX Platform)—Veteran consultant Terri Ross 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.
• 1 – 2 p.m.: The Marketing Plan and Social Media, presented by Sahar Saghezchi (Cupertino Facial Esthetics)—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.
• 2 – 3:30 p.m.: Business-only Breakouts, presented by Terri Ross (APX Platform); Aly Boeckh, Michela Bailey, and Karen Spinelli (AmSpa)—Gather insight on developing treatment plans and leveraging social media.

*Non-CME approved classes

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

• Aerolase
• Allergan Aesthetics
• APX Platform
• Boulevard
• CareCredit
• Cartessa
• CEDR HR Solutions
• Clarius
• Environ Skin Care/DermaConcepts
• Epicutis
• Epionce
• Galderma
• Maven Financial Partners
• PatientNow
• Podium
• Sciton
• Solta Medical
• Symplast
• ByrdAdatto
• AmSpa

Please note that because AmSpa considers safety and security its top priority, especially as it relates to participants at our events. We have created a comprehensive safety plan for our in-person events.

These measures are adopted from the current U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on COVID-19 as they relate to large gatherings.

• Before Leaving Home
  • Follow relevant guidance provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), or your local health authority;
  • Adhere to government issued travel restrictions and guidance issued by the region you will be traveling to and the region you are travelling from;
  • Evaluate your own health and that of people you are in close contact with; contact show management and AmSpa if you have concerns; and
  • Consider staying home if you feel sick.
• All Attendees are solely responsible for providing their own travel and lodging needs associated with and following the event.
• If required by local and/or state mandate, attendees will be required to wear a mask while they are in the meeting room, directly outside the meeting room and in the public restrooms. If no mask ordinance is in effect, AmSpa recommends use of a mask throughout the duration of the program.
• Hand sanitizer and other sanitization tools will be available for attendee use, and it is highly encouraged that they be used regularly.
• In cases of emergency (as determined by AmSpa, in their discretion, such as hospitalization, positive COVID test of registrant within 5 days of program etc.) that keep you from attending the event, your AmSpa account can be credited the amount of your registration. This credit can be used toward any future AmSpa hosted event within one year of date of original registered event. Cancellation or date changes made less than 10 days prior to the event will be subject to a $150 fee per registrant. In the event AmSpa cancels an event or experiences a force majeure beyond AmSpa’s control that prohibits the event from taking place in any fashion, AmSpa may, at their sole discretion issue refunds or credits to all attendees.
• Post Event – Based on current contact tracing advice from many health authorities, if you test positive for COVID-19 up to 5 days after returning home, please contact AmSpa to advise them.

If you have any questions regarding requirements, do not hesitate to contact us.

We hope you can join us in San Francisco on August 19 – 21. This AmSpa Medical Spa & Aesthetic Boot Camp is your opportunity to join us to get your medical aesthetic business headed in the right direction and learn some tips and tricks that can take it to the next level. Sign up here to register!