An interview with Gilles Lamarche, VP, Parker Seminars

Gilles Lamarche, DC sat down with Chiropractic Economics to discuss Parker Seminars, the upcoming Las Vegas seminar, January 14-16, the continuing influence of Dr.”Jim” Parker, developing upcoming seminars, and understanding the Parker philosophy.

In the summer of 1977, Gilles Lamarche found himself in New York City in the midst of a conversation that would change his life.

“I was new,” Lamarche told Chiropractic Economics. “I had never been to New York City and went with zero expectations.”

After agreeing to attend his first Parker Seminar at the behest of a chiropractic college professor, Lamarche was impressed with the sheer number of attendees, but admits he didn’t fully understand the message initially.

It wasn’t until being introduced to Dr. Jim Parker, after Parker invited every attendee at the seminar to his suite, that Lamarche really began to grasp the Parker philosophy and the journey he was embarking on.

Lamarche began to realize the Parker philosophy, “stems from the idea that truly loving service is the first technique,” and he took Parker’s philosophy to heart.

Lamarche attended three more Parker seminars by graduation time and found quick success out of school.

Following up with Dr. Parker at the end of 1979, Parker didn’t believe his initial accounts of success until he reviewed Lamarche’s records

“I just followed his procedures,” Lamarche said. “Many of which were just good business principles.”

Full circle

As the Vice President of Parker Seminars, Lamarche has seen his journey in chiropractic come full circle.

It’s now his mission to spread Parker’s principles of life, integrating success, health, and happiness in chiropractor’s personal and professional lives.

He’s spreading those principles worldwide in 2010. In addition to the annual Las Vegas Parker Seminar, January, 14-16, Lamarche also has seminars scheduled in Dallas, Texas, Montreal, Canada, and Rome, Italy.

He describes chiropractic as equal parts science, art, and business, and this year’s seminars mirror that sentiment.

“A patient centered focus is one track to helping develop a successful practice,” Lamarche said. “We teach chiropractors to consciously fill the needs of their patients and we take the same approach when developing our seminars.”

A-team

Lamarche works together with Fabrizio Mancini, President, Parker College, to create Parker Seminars as a team.

Mancini brought Lamarche onboard as Vice President of Parker Seminars in 2008 after serving as a Parker College postgraduate faculty member since 1990.

Together with a committed team, the two share info and put a lot of emphasis on the opinions of the attendees.

“We’re here where we can serve chiropractic to the world,” said Lamarche.

Las Vegas 2010

The upcoming Las Vegas Parker Seminar features over 60 events and over 45 speakers. Many of the sessions provide chiropractors continuing education credits while others walk chiropractors through the latest business trends and techniques.

The seminar will include over 400 vendors this year.

“We showcase what is new, current, and available for a patient-centric practice,” Lamarche said.

Tables are still available for the second annual Parker Gala, January 15. Entertainment will be provided by Earl Turner, Las Vegas Review Journal’s “Male Vocalist of the Year.”

Check out the Chiropractic Economics Blog for a list of important speakers and continuing education credits.