Virginia Massage Championship Rules
2024
September 13th-16th
A&B Creative Events
4820 Southpoint Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA
Purpose Statement
The Virginia Massage Championship is a FUN gathering of licensed massage therapists who want to learn new techniques, be inspired by the work of other therapists, showcase their talents, and network with like-minded professionals in a friendly atmosphere. We’ve chosen a contest environment to challenge therapists to do their individual best and as a way of evaluating basics within standard categories that all therapists can excel in, given any chosen modality.
Who Can Enter?
Any state-licensed massage therapist can enter. Only VA & DC state-licensed LMTs can win overall medals. Out-of-state LMTs can win categories. Participants will also receive massage. A strong esthetic presentation is highly encouraged. You may promote your style, schools, businesses, etc.
How can one compete in massage?
You must fill out a registration form with VMC . Once VMC determines that you are eligible, you will receive an email with instructions on paying your fee. You are registered once your non-refundable fee is paid in full.
Costs & Entry Fees
Entry fee for LMTs from 03/01/24 - 05/01/24 is $200
Entry fee for all participants registering from 05/01/24 - 08/16/24 is $250
Entry fees are non-refundable. Registration is closed on 08/16/24.
This is a two - day event so please plan your travel accordingly.
Hotel Information
We have a Group Rate at the
Holiday Inn Express
10235 Patriot Hwy
Frderdricksburg VA, 22407
(540) 898-5550
The room rate is 119.00 a night
When calling reference the VA Massage Championship.
How to prepare to compete
On the Virginia Massage Championship facebook page we will post prep classes that are happening all over the country. In May our very own State Director will be hosting a prep class in Fredericksburg VA. These classes will help you better understand what the judges will be looking for.
Meals & Water:
No meal service of any kind, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks, will be provided by
VMC during the event. There will be a 1-hour lunch break each day during the event. All
participants and guests are solely responsible for providing their own meals, food, water, and
other beverages. Participants and guests are strongly encouraged to bring their own water,
snacks, and packed meals to each day of the event. Participants and guests may, at their own
discretion, choose to purchase meals from nearby food vendors during the event. Participants and
guests are solely responsible for managing any food allergies, dietary restrictions, or other health
conditions related to meals and food consumption during the event. VMC will not accommodate
any special dietary needs. Participants and guests assume all responsibility and liability related to
any food or beverages brought to or consumed during the event. VMC shall not be liable for any
allergic reactions, illnesses, injuries, or damages arising out of or related to any food or
beverages.
Schedule TBD
Participation/Dress Code:
Each Massage Therapist is permitted to participate in either one or two categories during the event. The specific categories in which a participant can compete will be determined by the Event Center.
Non-English-speaking participants are allowed to bring their own translatorforbriefing speeches and general communication during the event. VMC will not provide translation services.
Participants are allowed to wear personal sponsorship clothing or any other National suit that fits the category. Participants must wear sports shoes, sports pants or yoga pants, T-shirts during the event. VMC reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of all attire.
Participants in the massage championship are required to provide their own supplies, such as sheets, towels, tools or any other materials needed to participate in the event.
The recipient of the massage must wear full underwear (not thongs) at all times and female participants must have their chest covered at all times. Any area which is not being worked on must be covered/draped.
All participants are required to receive massage, as well as give massages. If necessary, VMC will arrange for suitable candidates/massage recipients in particular cases. Participants that encounter recipients that are difficult (i.e. “don’t
mess up my hair and makeup,” “Don’t work my back and legs,” “Im
not taking my clothes off,” “I don’t wear underwear.”) should bring
this to a judges attention immediately.
Participants that behave in a difficult manner when it is their turn to
be a receiver may be disqualified.
No chiropractic and osteopathic manipulations are allowed during the competition.
Inappropriate Behaviors and Prohibited Acts:
Any photographing, video or audio recording, or other means of capturing the image, voice, or likeness of participants during the event is prohibited.
No cameras are allowed during the rounds and the final. Unauthorized use of cameras and recordings can result in
immediate disqualification and expulsion from Championship .
VMC maintains an absolute zero-tolerance policy regarding any inappropriate behavior, including but not limited to the following:
(a) Physical violence or threats of violence
(b)
Verbal or physical actions that are sexually explicit or suggestive, or any other behavior
that could reasonably be interpreted as sexually inappropriate
(c) Theft or destruction of
property
(d) Possession of weapons or dangerous materials
(e) Possession, use, or
distribution of illegal drugs
(f) Trespassing or unauthorized entry
(g) Fraud, forgery, or dishonesty
(h) Harassment, stalking, or disorderly conduct, and
(i) Any other criminal behavior under the Commonwealth of Virginia law.
This prohibition shall apply to all participants in the Competition, including massage therapists, staff, volunteers, spectators, and vendors.
All participants and guests must
comply with these prohibitions on inappropriate behavior.
Any violations will result in
disciplinary action up to and including immediate disqualification, ejection from VMC, permanent ban from all future VMC events, and referral to law enforcement authorities.
Suspected violations should be immediately reported to VMC organizers and staff.
All reports will be promptly and thoroughly investigated. VMC provides a confidential reporting procedure to ensure that any reports of violations are handled promptly and discreetly. In addition to disqualification and expulsion from VMC events, any violation of this policy may also result in a permanent ban from future VMC events, as well as potential civil or criminal liability. VMC will conduct a thorough investigation into any reported violations. The appeal process for disqualified massage therapists will be fair and transparent. VMC has an anti-retaliation provision to protect those who report violations any form of retaliation.
Punitive Action for Inappropriate Behavior, or other Prohibited Acts, or Failure to Align
with VMC Vision:
Each participant in the VMC agrees to act in alignment with the VMC's vision, mission, values, goals, and rules as they may be established or amended from time to time (collectively, the "VMC Vision"). If a participant acts in a manner that is deemed by VMC, in its sole discretion, to be an inappropriate behavior, a prohibited act, or misaligned with or in contradiction with the VMC Vision, VMC may remove any title conferred upon the participant in connection with their participation in VMC. VMC also reserves the right to ban the participant from participating in any future VMC events for a set period or time
up to and including a lifetime ban.
No Refunds:
All registration fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. Refunds will not be provided for any reason, including but not limited to disqualification or expulsion from VMC events due to inappropriate or criminal behavior.
Insurance:
All LMTs shall maintain comprehensive general liability insurance coverage at their own
expense for the duration of the Competition. The LMTs' insurance policies must name the
Competition organizers as additional insureds. Specifically, the policies shall include "Virginia
Massage Championship" as an additional insured entity.
Competition Area and Time:
The competition area is a 3500 square feet conference room. The occupancy is 300.
Massage tables and chairs are not provided. The height of the tables will be adjusted by the participants.
DO NOT LEAVE BELONGINGS UNATTENDED .
VMC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THEFT, DAMAGE, OR LOSS OF BELONGINGS.
Therapsits are responsible for all their own gear do not leave it unattended . Keep in mind the floors are not carpeted so make sure you prepare so that your table/chair does not slide.
A strong esthetic presentation at your massage table, while competing, is highly encouraged.
Participants will be divided into groups of two or three - depending on the number of entrants. The location of each participant's table/chair and receiver will be chosen at random by the judges/organizers.
Spectators are not allowed in preliminary rounds . If this changes you will be notified. Please note there are no shower facilities. VMC decides which music will be played during the championship.
The duration of each round is 60 minutes (excluding the 15 min examination).
You will have a maximum of 15 minutes to read your client's intake and ask them any questions needed to…
~ Ensure your awareness of their physical condition (looking for any cautions, contraindications, or preferences)
~ Ensure their understanding of the massage process.
During these 15 minutes, the judges will come around to each contestant and ask what you will be doing for your client in the round (introduce yourself, give category/style, disclose any innovations or new methods, etc.).
The Judges:
The Judges are all highly skilled within their categories and have all taken the IMA Judge’s Course, as well as being directed by our head judge.
Judges will evaluate the participants in the following areas with a point system:
Techniques (1-20 points)
- How many techniques
- Variation of techniques
- Composition/ combination of related techniques
Ergonomics (1- 10 points)
- Table adjustment
- Bodywork/Power Transference
- Body Alignment
- Client positioning
Flow (1-20 points)
- Flow/Rythm
- Transitioning etc, Grip to grip, hand to tool
- Work/Treatment within timeframe
Innovation (1-20 points)
- Development of new moves/grip
- Innovation thru your own unique style
- Style combination
Client Contact (1-15 points)
- Insight/Empathy
- Technique vs. Client
- Pressure and depth vs. Client
- Therapist Workwear
- Tools, accessories
- Draping
Participants are informed that the judges at the competition can evaluate the individual treatment, and please note that a treatment can be placed in several categories.
The participants cannot expect score results directly from the judges either during or after the competition. Judges will give feedback to participants on a case-by-case basis. Final scores will be posted at a time of the judges' discretion.
All decisions regarding the competition are made collectively within the group of Judges to ensure the competition is as fair as possible. In the event of a disagreement among the judges, the head judge will make the final decision.
Participants cannot be judged by their family/friends, business partners, or instructors. If VMC faces this conflict, the participant will be given a weighted score (average) from remaining eligible judges.
The Winner will be the Massage Therapist who gets the most points during the preliminary rounds, and he/she will be appointed as the Overall Virginia/DC Massage Champion in Massage for that year.
Criteria's Defined:
- “The flow of the massage” means a continuous non-stop movement and variation of techniques performed by the therapist.
- “Ergonomics” How do the therapists use their own bodies (work environment) and their remedies (Massage tables etc.)
- “Techniques” Different techniques are used in each category. Innovative and effective techniques for both therapist and client.
- “Innovation” Development of new techniques/grips, a unique
style or combination of styles. Example: Innovation is highly
regarded in Western or Eastern Freestyle, but less so in Classical
European Swedish Massage.
- "Client Contact” Does the participant show insight and empathy
upon assessment and ongoing communication? Does the participant
chose the correct techniques, pressure and speed for the client’s
unique needs? Does the participant have the appropriate workwear
(outfit) that expresses intent (modality) and professionalism? Does
the participant have a professional display (tools, accessories,
instructional material, etc) that makes sense to their category and
intent? Did the participants draping preserve the modesty of the
receiver? Did the participant go out of their way to observe the
utmost sanitation practices?
NOTE! Lectures, the preliminary rounds, the final, and the prize giving will be recorded on TV and used for future marketing on social media. This goes for pictures as well. By participating in Virginia Massage Championship, you are allowing the VMC to do so.
Categories: you may enter two categories.
VA Open : a freestyle category, allowing you to do your best personal style. This allows you to declare any of the accepted IMA/USAMC categories as your main influence and it is understood that you are doing a hybridized style of massage or will blend in other treatments and influence.
Winners/Prizes**: certificates will be emailed
~ Gold, silver, and bronze winners will receive medals & certificates in each of the categories
~ Best Overall Presentation (attire, massage table/mat/side table set-up) receives a certificate
~ Overall VA & DC Champions: gold, silver, and bronze medals & certificates*
1st place/Gold Overall Champion gets a FREE entrance into the World Massage Festival ($400 value) and the American Massage Championship ($250 value) held in Las Vegas, NV in July 2025.
Participating in Virginia Massage Championship allows the VMC to use your images and voice indefinitely for marketing and advertising purposes.
*A single, double certificate will be produced for those winning in a category and in the finals. Ex.) Sally Smith: “1st place/Gold in Swedish Massage and 2nd place/Silver Overall in the 2023 Virginia Massage Championship”
*Rules are subject to change, if there are any changes to the rules you will be notified.7