American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) was thrilled to participate in the 2024 Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AiA) Conference, held from September 26th-28th in Nashville, Tennessee. This year’s theme, "Embracing and Composing Sustainable Aromatics," focused on the changing landscape of professional aromatherapy and emphasized the importance of adopting more sustainable practices in the field. The conference offered a variety of inspiring sessions and plenty of chances to network with fellow professionals. Read on to explore some of the conference highlights!
Reconnecting In-Person at the AiA Conference
As the first in-person AiA conference post-pandemic, the event provided a valuable opportunity for professionals, students, and enthusiasts to reconnect, exchange ideas, and engage in meaningful discussions about the future of aromatherapy. ACHS was thrilled to contribute to this pivotal event through various engagements and presentations, including a featured session by ACHS Dean of Aromatherapy Amanda Lattin, BA, MAT, Dip. Aroma., MH, RA. ACHS was proud to be the Conference Breaks Sponsor for the conference, also hosting an exhibitor booth, an ACHS meet and greet, and interaction with other exhibitors from across the globe who featured the very best of sustainable practices with aromatic botanicals in the industry.
The conference was an impactful opportunity for ACHS students and alumni to immerse themselves in the aromatherapy profession. From listening to lectures, speaking with vendors, meeting book authors and business owners, and discovering the latest in aromatherapy research, each attendee garnered invaluable knowledge and experience to support them in their own goals.
A Meet and Greet for the ACHS Community
In addition to the conference, ACHS hosted a special meet and greet event on Wednesday, September 25th, where students, alumni, and attendees had the chance to network with ACHS leadership and fellow professionals in the aromatherapy community. This gathering not only facilitated discussions about the future of online education in holistic health but also strengthened the bonds within the aromatherapy community.
At the ACHS meet and greet, students and graduates shared what inspired them to pursue their education at ACHS, what they are currently using their education for, and their goals for the future. It was truly an encouraging and uplifting way to kick off the conference!
"It was wonderful to be back at an in-person conference after several years, to meet new faces and reconnect with old. It was a great way to kick off an amazing weekend... to feel the positive energy and inspiration from our students and graduates. That makes every minute of what I do so special." - Amy Swinehart, ACHS Senior Admissions Advisor
ACHS Student Carrie Mercer Conference Reflection
“Going to an AIA Conference is important because it’s a chance to meet other people in the field who are passionate about aromatics. It’s a chance to build a working relationship with the people who produce the products – you can have confidence in the quality of your product by touching it, smelling it, interacting with it, and talking with the people who produce it, rather than just placing an order to some company on the Internet, and not being sure of all the details.
It’s a wonderful thing to meet people face to face and to get out from behind the computer screen. As an American College of Healthcare Sciences Alumni and returning student, it was awesome to meet faculty and fellow students outside of the classroom platform.
I got answers to questions I didn’t know to ask. I will be incorporating that knowledge going forward. I made friends and professional connections that might not have been possible without the conference. There were perspectives I had never thought of and experiences by other people that I might not have learned except by meeting them.
And in talking with others I learned about myself! I have thoughts, ideas, and experiences that are totally different from anyone else in attendance, and those things are important and need to be shared with the aromatic population as a way to add depth and breadth to the field. I may not have been doing this for 20 years or written a book or even published a case study (yet), but my experiences and knowledge are important. I felt welcomed and accepted.
I can't wait to see everyone again and meet new people!”
Michelle Vine ACHS Graduate and Scholarship Winner Conference Reflection
ACHS Award Winners
ACHS encouraged aromatherapy students and graduates to actively participate in the conference by submitting posters and case studies. These submissions allowed students to showcase their innovative ideas, ongoing research, and insights on aromatic interventions in clinical settings, offering a platform to share their contributions with a wider audience.
Julia shared that “The AIA conference was a transformative experience. It was amazing to be with great aromatherapy leaders, researchers, and so many creative practitioners, including ACHS students, professors, staff, and alumni. I learned much from everyone there, and for the first time, I felt like I entered the community as a professional in my new career. It was a great honor to have my case study accepted to the conference and pleasantly surprising to win an award for it. The vendors from all over the world were also incredible. I had to buy an extra suitcase to take home my new books and oils! I highly recommend joining AIA and participating in their events. I will be going back!”
ACHS alumni Cher Lynne won the AIA Small Artisan Distiller’s Grant for her work distilling full spectrum hydrosols, essential oils, and other aromatic extracts in her business Essential Oil Apothecary in Sacramento, California.
ACHS Dean of Aromatherapy Presents on Scientific Holism
“New tools for assessing whole person health are giving us an opportunity to evaluate the effects of aromatherapy on an individual’s health from a more comprehensive perspective. These advancements in holistic research are providing the framework we need to design studies capable of embracing the complexity of aromatherapy and celebrating it, rather than attempting to reduce it down into more manageable parts.” - Amanda Lattin
Advancing Sustainable Aromatherapy and Looking to 2025
The 2024 AiA Conference emphasized the importance of sustainable aromatherapy practices and provided an exciting platform for ACHS to share its expertise and vision for the future of aromatherapy. We remain dedicated to advancing the field through education, research, and meaningful connections within the aromatherapy community and look forward to participating again in 2026!
