2024 Spring President's Letter

“Spring adds new life and new joy to all that is.” – Jessica Harrelson

Our year is off to an amazing start!

First, if you haven’t already, take a moment and sign up now for the AIA Conference - Aromatics in Action™ 2024: Embracing and Composing Sustainable Aromatics. We will gather in Nashville, TN, September 26th - 28th. We have an optional post-conference botanical tour on Sunday, September 29th, at the Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. We have world-class speakers, excellent sponsors and exhibitors, and an elegant venue in Music City. Several small distillers will be present to share their story and highlight their work. We will showcase posters and case studies. If you are interested in being one of our amazing sponsors and/or exhibitors, check out our prospectus – you still have the opportunity to sign up & join us. I am eager to connect with everyone who can attend, and I hope to see you there. Register before April 30th to get the early bird price.

Meet Us!

When you come to the conference, we encourage you to seek out our members who routinely contribute to AIA’s success. Below you will see a few names, but there are many more.

Board of Directors (2024)

President: Denise Joswiak

Vice President: Carol Scheidel

Secretary: Marian (Marnie) Reven

Treasurer: Meredith Cheshire

Director: Nancy Lubin

Director: Jirbie Go

Director: Amanda Lattin

Director: Amanda May-Fitzgerald

Director: Bruce Boynton

Director: Kate Johnson

 

Chief Operating Officer: Tresa Staeven

 

Journal Editor: Crystal Brothers

 

Co-Global Representatives: Amanda May-Fitzgerald & Tresa Staeven

 

Education Committee Co-chairs: Colleen Thompson & Amanda Lattin

Research Committee Chair: Marnie Reven, Co-chair: Amanda May

Clinical Committee: Donna Audia & Michelle M. Cohen

Media Committee Chair: Jirbie Go

Conference Committee Chair: Marnie Reven, Co-chair: Meredith Cheshire

Membership & Nominating Committee: Nancy Lubin

It is fun to be involved in AIA! If you wish to act as an AIA representative for members who live in your area or join one of our committees, fill out this volunteer form. Also, it’s that time of year where we welcome members to run for our Board of Directors. If you are interested in collaborating to shape the future of AIA, this position is for you! If you know someone who would be an excellent addition to our board, let them know you think they would be great or nominate them and we will contact them for you. Whether you wish to run for a director position, nominate someone, or simply want more information, email our nominations committee and they will help you.

Building Upon the Achievements of 2023: Paving the Path for Even Greater Success Ahead

We have exciting plans for the future, and I will share those as soon as each becomes a reality. For now, I delight in sharing some of the amazing accomplishments of 2023:

●      Amanda Lattin & the 2023 Conference Committee held our first and very successful Virtual Conference.

●      Find an Aromatherapist – Public Facing is now operational.

●      Our Aromatics in Action™ Journal is now registered with the Library of Congress, thanks to Bruce Boynton.

●      Aromatics in Action™ is well underway to become a registered trademark.

●      Crystal Brothers and all AIA authors created beautiful, informative journals. Previous issues are available in our “Members Access” area on the website.

●      Our Education Committee and esteemed speakers provided interesting, relevant webinars. Previous webinars remain in our “AIA Classroom” for viewing at your convenience.

●      The Advanced Practice Educator membership level was approved by the Board of Directors and the Education Committee is in the process of defining guidelines.

●      Our Research Committee continued adding to the AIA Research Database quarterly.

●      Our Nominations Committee vetted quality board nominees.

●      Our Membership Committee continued to find ways to support current members and welcome new members, including personally writing welcome notes.

●      Our number of Recognized Schools and CE Providers continue to grow.

●      Our Business Members shared information about their contributions to the aromatherapy community through the monthly Business Showcases.

●      Our Clinical Committee has done amazing work updating our Essential Oil Therapy booklet and proposed a collaborative task force with our Research Committee. Together they will add content and create the final draft of this valuable Member Benefit.

●      Our Media Committee increased our social media followers & engagement significantly.

●      Our Representatives conducted meaningful virtual and in-person meetings for our members and others interested in aromatherapy. Many of these meetings are available for replay in our “AIA Classroom”.

●      We welcomed two of our excellent Representatives, Amanda May-Fitzgerald and Tresa Staeven to their new roles as Co-Global Representatives.

●      Marnie Reven (Chair), Meredith Cheshire (Co-Chair) and our 2024 Conference Committee lined up world-class speakers, registration is open and many of us have already signed up. We are all excited to gather together to learn and reconnect in person!

You may have seen this list of accomplishments before, but it is worth mentioning again. Last year AIA excelled! This year our members and volunteers are already filled with enthusiasm and new projects. I look forward to sharing each exciting accomplishment with you during 2024.

With Love & Gratitude,

Denise