Speakers and More

Float Industry Pioneer | Samahdi Float Tanks

Glenn Perry, along with his partner Lee, who died in 2022, were inspired by Dr John Lilly to start Samadhi Tank Co and the floatation tank industry. Glenn invented the use of lots of salt to allow people to float weightlessly in the isolation tank. Together they designed and sold the first commercial float tanks. They also started the first float tank center to assist in selling those tanks. Additionally, they trained others in a method of running those centers and how to interact with the floaters to allow the floater to be comfortable floating instead of afraid and how to get the most out of their time floating. They have always been especially passionate about the amazing benefits of frequent floating in as distraction free environments as possible.

Clinical Neuropsychologist | President and Director of the Float Research Colletive

Dr. Feinstein is an expert in the neuroscience of fear who is trailblazing a new path forward for the treatment of anxiety. His current work is focused on studying the intimate connection between the body & the brain, and developing new technologies to help bring this connection to the forefront of awareness. As part of these efforts, his research has laid the foundation for novel therapies that can naturally alleviate stress and anxiety without the use of drugs including Floatation-REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy) and the modulation of CO2 as a form of interoceptive exposure therapy. In 2021, Dr. Feinstein became President and Director of the Float Research Collective, a nonprofit organization that is playing a pivotal role in establishing Floatation-REST as an accepted medical treatment.

Owner of Hyrdo-Ease in Northern Ireland

Vivian is a lived experience professional. Her journey of healing began with a near death experience in 1999 and was catapulted in 2004 with her first float... she still can't put into words what happened that day.
Vivian owns Hydro-Ease flotation center just outside Belfast, Northern Ireland (First to host Dr Gabor Mate) offering floatation therapy alongside therapeutic solutions with her proprietary R.A.F.T program (Reconnection and Floatation Therapy) since 2015.
She has been using this approach with veterans, survivors of the "Troubles" and institutional abuse. Her approach is to invite people back into their bodies to release the pain of the past and reclaim their authenticity.

Resident Microbiologist and Senior Consultant for Vore & Associates, LLC | Float Conference Board Member

Dr. Roy Vore is the senior consultant with Vore & Associates LLC, a consulting company specializing in aquatic facility management, operator training, and risk management. He is internationally recognized as the pool and spa sector's leading authority on recreational water illness. Since 1991 he has been the aquatics industry’s voice, translating the complexity of microbiology into the everyday language of operators. His efforts include drafting portions of the CDC’s Model Aquatic Health Code, writing the NSPF’s recreational water illness manual, and a variety of fact sheets on microbial issues for APSP. Dr. Vore has over 90 scholarly papers and presentations on the selection and use of industrial biocides, biocide testing methodology, the microbiological of swimming pools and spas, and the governmental regulation of biocides. Roy became interested in floating due to the unique physiology of float tanks and the potential for non-pharmaceutical treatments for our overly stressed society. Roy’s hobbies include making beer and bird watching – which usually includes drinking the beer.

Alignment Coach | Speaker | Nervous System Educator

Rachel Benton is a speaker, alignment coach, and former owner of Float Nashville. With over a decade of experience in business leadership, education, and nervous system wellness, she brings a grounded and practical approach to helping people unlock clarity, confidence, and calm through understanding their energy.

As someone who has witnessed firsthand the power of float therapy to regulate the nervous system, Rachel now teaches the science of stress, sensory processing, and resilience. Her keynote, Finding Calm in the Chaos, blends research, real-life stories, and actionable tools to help individuals reconnect to their body’s wisdom—even in high-stress environments.

Rachel’s work is rooted in both data and embodiment. She’s known for bridging the gap between science and soul, helping others feel seen, safe, and self-led.

Author, Senior Use Researcher

Connor Joyce is the author of "Bridging Intentions to Impact" and a Senior User Researcher on the Microsoft Copilot Team, where he is advancing the design of AI-enhanced features. Passionate about driving meaningful change, Connor advocates that companies adopt an Impact Mindset, ensuring that products not only change behavior to satisfy user needs but also drive positive business outcomes. He is a contributor to numerous publications, advises emerging startups, and lectures at the University of Pennsylvania. Based in Seattle, Connor enjoys exploring the outdoors with his dog, Chai, and a local event organizer.

Float Magic

Shawnee’s passion for optimizing wellness has led her into providing tools that address stress and anxiety disorders. Her background in nursing was the perfect launching pad for opening Float Magic, a REST and wellness center located in downtown Twin. Heart led and mindful focused, the center’s mission is to deliver modalities that optimize their clients’ well-being. Shawnee was born and raised in Eastern Idaho and has been a part of the Magic Valley for over a decade. She is the proud mother of four incredible boys and enjoys being an integral part of her community. She supports her industry organizations such as the Float Tank Association and Float Research Collective. Shawnee is also active in her community services as President of the CSI Foundation Board, TFSD Construction Academy TAC, a member of Idaho Business Educators and several other leadership/volunteer roles.

Expanding her human experiences is always a priority and Shawnee does this through scuba diving, sky diving, skiing, wine tasting, traveling to remote places and dancing……lots and lots of dancing and of course floating!

Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium | Float Conference Board Member

Christopher Wardlaw is a freelance flotation enthusiast, stroboscopic light and vibroacoustic facilitator, and writer. From September 2021 to January 2025, he logged over 3,200 hours in the tank while facilitating thousands of client floats at a commercial center—emerging as a leading voice in the evolving field of float tank phenomenology. Having completed several thousand hours of residential silent meditation retreats, and many thousands more in daily life since beginning practice in 2016, Christopher is especially interested in the ethical implications of integrating potentiating flotation protocols and meditative psychotechnologies into mainstream industry discourse and practice.

He is a member of the Emergent Phenomenological Research Consortium and currently serves on the Flotation Conference board for the 2024 and 2025 cycles. He is writing a book on float tank practice and phenomenology, which will be publicly available soon.

Intergalactic Float Tank Cooperative

Marshall Hammond is the President of the Intergalactic Float Tank Cooperative, the world's first employee-owned co-op float tank center. Marshall has been in the Float Tank industry for 12 years. He is also a journalist, podcaster, and musician.

Founder of Surface Float

Kat Roberts is a wellness practitioner, sound healer, and founder of Surface Float, a bio-optimization wellness center in New Brunswick. She is trained as a meditation facilitator, Reiki Master and somatic integration guide, with a focus on nervous system regulation and holistic healing. Her soundbaths blend science and spirit, offering participants a space to ground, release, and reconnect through deep listening and embodied presence.

Clinical Psychologist and Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder

Dr. Flux holds a joint Ph.D. in Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder, where his work explored the role of the immune system in novel mental health therapeutics, with particular interest in the psychoneuroimmunological effects of floatation. Now in his first year as a professor at CU Boulder, Dr. Flux is pioneering new forms of social media-inspired pedagogy and working on research projects focused on neurodivergence, gender equity in psychological science, and the thoughtful integration of AI into education. He has contributed to research spanning biotechnology, psychedelics, and stress physiology, and has presented at every Float Conference since 2018 (except for 2024 due to an acute Lyme Disease infection). In all his work, he remains deeply committed to making science accessible and engaging, drawing on his background in visual arts, harm reduction, and performance to communicate complex ideas through compelling visuals and storytelling.

President of the Float Conference, Co-owner of Sukhino Float Center and Salt Cave, Owner of Mindfull Solutions

With more than 20 years of training and marketing experience, Kim is passionate about helping individuals and wellness center owners create a ripple effect on the world. Besides owning Sukhino Float Center & Salt Cave in Indiana, she founded the Float Center Owner's Guide (podcast + marketing and training resources) and Mindfull Solutions. She is a co-host of the Art of the Float podcast, a member of the Float Research Collective fundraising team, and a liaison for the FTA. She's on a mission to change the world, one float at a time.

Float Enthusiast

Through professional athletics and performance, to a decades long practice of meditation, yoga, scientific/philosophical/poetic immersion. Retiring from a 30+ year career as a Psychiatric RN, researcher, educator, therapist and Anatomist. Continuing a private practice of an increasingly simple but deepening somato/spiritual nature. Developing into a ‘Float Contemplative’ in which suspension and immersion dynamics inform a growing intertwinement of science and spirit. Hopefully thinking, moving, communicating from a more interconnected sensibility.

Director of the Float Clinic and Research Center at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR)

Dr. Emily Choquette is an Associate Investigator and Director of the Float Clinic and Research Center at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR) in Tulsa Oklahoma. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of South Florida and completed her clinical internship at the Michael E. DeBakey Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in Houston, TX. Her previous research and clinical work centers on women’s health, disordered eating, trauma, and substance use. She joined the Laureate Institute for Brain Research as a postdoctoral fellow in 2021 under the mentorship of Drs. Robin Aupperle and Sahib Khalsa. In December 2023, she was awarded a National Institute of Mental Health funded Career Development Award. In this grant, Dr. Choquette explores the effect of float-assisted psychotherapy on interoception as a mechanism for the reduction of body image distortion in women with anorexia nervosa.

EOS Implementer

Cheri spent 15 years running and working in SMB’s and experienced first hand the challenges and frustrations business leaders tackle daily. Her true passion is the growth and development of the people she serves. After discovering EOS® through the book Traction in 2015, Cheri had a vehicle to help her reach more leaders.

Leveraging her teaching background, Cheri joined the Implementer Development Team as the Professional Coach at EOS Worldwide. Her clients love the accountability, energy and fun she brings when facilitating or speaking!

Founding Director of Beneficial Sound

Wayne is a lifelong musician who has studied the Gong extensively under Gong Master Mehtab Benton. His authentic style of playing, infused with passion and intention, promotes deep relaxation and transformation. Wayne is the Founding Director of Beneficial Sound, a 501(c)3 nonprofit committed to bringing wellness to the mind, body, and soul through sound and vibration. He has a degree in Psychology, is a certified Gong Master, Life Coach, Ordained Minister and a American Sound Healers Association member.

Park Row Floats | Float Conference Board Member

Mandi opened the doors to Park Row Floats in the Historic District of Chestertown, Maryland in the spring of 2023. After 18 years in education - most recently as the Dean of Academics in a school with over 50 teachers and 700 K-8 students - Mandi turned her attention to the building that now houses Park Row Floats, a beautiful hotel built in 1900. By 2021, the building had lost some of its shine and a bit of its stature, but none of its charm. By 2023, the completely gutted and renovated building has been returned to its former splendor and now accommodates four commercial spaces, including Park Row Floats.

Mandi brings her years of education leadership and adult training with her to the Float Conference Board. She is blending her wealth of adult learning knowledge with her quite new status as a small business owner to bring the new-owner perspective to the Board. Before owning a Float Center, Mandi's go-to icebreaker was to tell everyone that she had grown up in Bermuda. Being the sole owner and operator of Park Row Floats is infinitely more exciting.

Qi Gong Practitioner

Dr Linda Nadia Hole MD, is a Qigong Master practioner, author, & physician of over 40 years experience; & consulting editor for landmark textbook Chinese Medical QiGong. Besides her family, dolphins, floating, & dancing - her passions include healing in the way of Love; and the Sacred Ho'oponopono Breath of Aloha, Peace, and Qi

Co-owner, Still Point Wellness

Corey created the weekly didgeridoo meditation at the Esalen Institute and uses the instrument to help facilitate deep meditation and inner journey work. With a unique combination of playing didgeridoo and spoken word guided imagery from his experience as a somatic psychotherapist and trauma relief counselor, Corey creates a space imbued with self inquiry, exploration and deep presence. In addition to his counseling practice he also co-owns and operates Still Point Wellness in Asheville NC, with 5 float tanks and a staff of Esalen Massage practitioners.