2024 Georgia / FLorida Massage Championship Rules
Saturday, 19 OCT 2024 3 - 5 (hours subject to change, participants will be notified)
Sunday, 20 OCT 2024 8 - 6
in Winter Park, Florida, USA.
Purpose Statement
The Georgia and Florida Massage Championship is a FUN gathering of licensed massage therapists who want to showcase their talents, be inspired by the work of other therapists, and network with like-minded professionals in a friendly atmosphere. We’ve created a championship environment to support and challenge professional massage therapists to bring and share individual best and as a way of evaluating basics within standard categories that all therapists can excel in, given any chosen modality.
The Georgia and Florida Massage Championship is organized by Team USA Massage., recognized by the U.S. Assoc. of Massage Championships and is supported by the World Massage Festival and the American Massage Championship (licensee of the International Massage Association).
Who Can Enter?
Any insured massage therapist / bodyworker, esthetician, massage therapy student can enter. Only GA & FL State-licensed LMTs can win overall STATE medals (Note - the overall winner for each State will only be competing for this award with those from their own State). Out-of-state LMTs can win categories. The Student category is seperate and is not eligible for the top prize.
Participants will also receive a massage. A strong esthetic presentation is highly encouraged. You may promote your style, schools, businesses, etc.
How can one compete in The Georgia & Florida Massage Championship?
You must fill out a registration form in its entirety. You are only officially registered once your non-refundable fee is paid in full.
Costs & Entry Fees:
Entry fee for LMTs before midnight 31 August, 2024 $200
Entry fee for LMTs after midnight 31 August, 2024 $250
Massage Therapy Student $150
SPECIAL PRICING OFFER OCT 3 - 12, 2024:
1 Registrant - $250
2+ Registrants - $200 each
1 Student - $150
2+ Students - $100
Entry fees are non-refundable. Registration is closed on 10/12/24.
Meals & Water:
We encourage participants and their guest to either bring water, snacks, and a packed lunch/dinner or venture out to nearby restaurant options. You will have a 90 minute l unch break to rest and rejuvenate. The final event schedule is subject to change. You will receive the final event schedule 4-6 weeks prior the event.
Participation/Dress Code:
Each Massage Therapist can participate in 1 category. Non-English speaking participants can bring their own translator for briefing speeches and general communication.
Participants can 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, etc. We discourage clothing that reveals cleavage and or your abdomen.
Participants must bring their own sanitizing wipes/gel, sheets, towels, tools, etc.
The recipient of the massage must wear full underwear (not thongs) at all times and have covered their chest (if she is a woman). Any area which is not being worked on must be covered/draped. Failure to wear undergarments can result in expulsion from the championship.
No cameras are allowed during the rounds. Unauthorized use of cameras and recordings can result in expulsion.
There is an absolute zero-tolerance policy concerning inappropriate behavior. Any massage of sensual/sexual nature would result in immediate disqualification and expulsion from the Championship.
It is imperative to emphasize that any recognition or participation in the GA / FL Massage Championships should never be utilized to endorse or support massage or bodywork of a sexual nature. Violation of this principle may lead to disqualification, with consequences enforeable beyond the event, accompanied by a public statement revoking any acknowledgment or award.
All participants are required to receive massage, as well as give massages. If necessary, GA / FL Massage Championship may arrange for suitable candidates/massage recipients in particular cases.
Any participant unavailable to give or receive massage at the start of the said round can result in expulsion.
No chiropractic and osteopathic manipulations are allowed during the competition.
Insurance:
Your own insurance covers both you and the ones you demonstrate on during the competition. LMTs, estheticians and students alike must be fully insured during the competition. Event space providers / landlords of our events most often require participating therapists add an AIE (Additional Insured Endorsement) to their COI (Certificate of Insurance). Additionally, we agree, it is a demonstration of good business practice. For these reasons we kindly request ALL participants add the “GA / FL Massage Championships” as an AIE to their existing COI (see sample below). It is important to note that an AIE can easily be added to a COI at no additional charge. However, depending on the terms of the policy, some insurance companies may charge an additional fee to add an AIE. It is up to you to check with your insurance provider. Please notify the organizer if you have any questions or concerns (see sample below).
Competition Area and Time:
The competition area may be split in different rooms for different categories.
Massage tables are provided. The height of the tables will be adjusted by the participants.
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 may be permitted that are accompanying participants. Please note there are no shower facilities. GA / FL Massage Championships decides which music will be played during the championship.
The duration of each round is 60 minutes (excluding the 5 min examination).
You will have a maximum of 5 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 5 minutes, the judges may approach each contestant and ask what you will be doing for your recipient in the round (introduce yourself or have short sucinct information available. 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
~ Ergonomics
~ Flow
~ Innovation and Development of new methods
~ Client Contact
(Please Note "Recipient Evaluation has been removed)
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 head judge and / or Director's 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 GA / FL MC (massage championships) faces this conflict, the participant will be given a weighted score (average) from remaining eligible judges.
The Final:
If there is a final round you can expect the duration of the Final to be 60 minutes.
Spectators will not be allowed on the floor. Any spectators will be in a designated area.
3 Criteria Defined:
~ “The flow of the massage” means a continuous non-stop movement and variation of techniques performed by the therapist.
~ “Ergonomics” How do 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.
NOTE! Lectures, the preliminary rounds, 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 GA / FL Massage Championships, you are allowing the GA/FL MC's to do so.
Categories: Choose any ONE of the following GA / FL Open - IMA categories
- Swedish Massage (Western or Classical European relaxing massage
- Sports Massage (Deep-Tissue massage, MFR, MET, neuromuscular techniques, stretching, etc.)
- Thai Massage (Traditional Thai, Warrior, Royal, Thai Yoga, etc.)
- Wellness Massage (Hot Stone, Aromatherapy, Spa Massage, Lymph Drainage, Holistic Massage, etc)
- Freestyle Massage (Western Inspired) - Combination of different types of western massage methods, mobilization, cupping, massage with tools, bodywork, etc.
- Freestyle Massage (Eastern Inspired) - Combination of different types of Asian massage methods (Shiatsu, Acupressure, Thai massage, cupping, Tui Na, Ayurveda, Reflexology massage with tools, etc.
- Chair Massage (both Western and Eastern inspired massage) Note - ANYTHING done utilizing a massage chair is in the is category.
- Facial Massage (Japanese facelifting, Gua Sha, Classical facial spa treatment, etc.)
- Body Shape Massage - Body contouring massage for reducing inches and the appearance of cellulite.
Note - Any support apparatus such as Ashiatsu bars etc must be approved by the organizer prior to the event and no later than OCT 5, 2024. Please contact the organizer if you have questions about this. You will be asked to provide dimensions and photos.
Winners/Prizes**: 9 Overall Medals (Gold, Silver Bronze) & 10 Award Certificates
~ Georgia Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners will receive medals & certificates
~ Florida Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners will receive medals & certificates
~ GA / FL Open Category Choose any one of the 8 IMA categories contained within this form above - Gold, Silver, and Bronze category winners will receive medals & certificates
~ Student Category will be recognized with 1st, 2nd and 3rd Award Certificates.
~ Best Overall Presentation (attire, massage table/mat/side table set-up) receives a certificate. All participants qualify.
1st place/Gold Overall (Georgia & Florida) Champions will recieve FREE entrance into the World Massage Festival ($500 value) and the American Massage Championship ($250 value) held in Las Vegas, NV, July 2025 at the fabulous Horseshoe Resort & Casino Las Vegas. Overall Award Provided by the owner / IMA licensee holder of the American Massage Championship.
1st place GA / FL OPEN Overall, highest scoring Champion will recieve an award voucher (€220 Value) to the WMSC (World Massage Super Cup) in Sibiu, Romania, November 2025. The Overall Award is provided by Team USA Massage in collaboration with the WMSC, Romania.
*Note - Certificates may be emailed
**Currently, we are not providing free continuing education, t-shirts, meals, or cash prizes. As we attain sponsors for this event and weigh out our costs, we may be able to do some or all of that. Stay tuned, as this is our 2nd year. We are learning and doing our best to make this the best event possible for you.