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| (Image from www.gumtree.com) |
~ Remembering Jill Renick ~
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| (www.DallasMorningNews.com) |
This edition is dedicated to the life and
memory of Jill Renick, ISPA Member, and Spa Director at the Omni Hotel Houston. During the massive flooding in the aftermath
of Hurricane Harvey, Jill Renick, along with other hotel staff, were heroically
assisting safe passage out of the hotel for its guests; as rushing flood waters
entered the hotel, Jill Renick went missing; days after she went missing and
unaccounted for, and after an exhaustive search to locate her, her lifeless
body was located in the hotel.
Jill Renick loved being a spa director and
loved helping others experience healing and restoration as part of the spa
experience. It is tragically ironic that
here was a woman dedicated to helping others in that spa experience, and who selflessly
was helping hotel guests to escape to safety in a perilous situation, and there
wasn’t anyone able to help her. The spa
industry has lost a truly remarkable and exemplary spa steward and human being. May God bless her selfless soul.
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| (Image from www.gumtree.com) |
ISPA ~ The
Voice of the Industry*
Since 1991, the International SPA Association has been
recognized worldwide as the professional organization and voice of the spa
industry, representing health and wellness facilities and providers in more
than 70 countries.
Members encompass the entire arena of the spa experience,
from resort/hotel, destination, mineral springs, medical, club and day spas to
service providers such as physicians, wellness instructors, nutritionists,
massage therapists and product suppliers.
Mission ~ ISPA
advances the spa industry by providing invaluable educational and networking
opportunities, promoting the value of the spa experience and speaking as the
authoritative voice to foster professionalism and growth.
Vision ~ To be the
leader in promoting and enhancing the well-being of the spa industry and the
people it serves.
Defining Spa ~
Spas are places devoted to overall well-being through a variety of professional
services that encourage the renewal of mind, body and spirit.
Spa Industry Sets New Record in
Visits, Continues to Cultivate Job Market*
For the first time in the history of the International SPA
Association’s (ISPA) U.S. Spa Industry Study, the total number of visits to
spas rose above 180 million. ISPA today released its annual findings of spa
industry financial indicators, reporting that the number of spa visits is
estimated to have increased to 184 million in 2016, up from 179 million in 2015
(2.5 percent increase). The industry also continues to experience steady growth
in overall revenue, locations and revenue per visit. Additionally, as the
industry grows, so do the number of available employment opportunities.
The ISPA Foundation commissioned PwC to conduct the study,
which presents what is known as the “Big Five”: total revenue, spa visits, spa
locations, revenue per visit and number of employees for the United States spa
industry.
“We are thrilled to see our industry’s hard work and
dedication truly pay off with more and more consumers enjoying spas,” said ISPA
President Lynne McNees. “An increase in visits means higher demand of spa
services, which demonstrates a very positive outlook. As jobs are created to
meet this demand, we will continue to promote the benefits of a career in the
spa industry.”
The rise in visits drove the total revenue to surpass its
previously record-setting mark in 2016, increasing from $16.3 billion in 2015
to $16.8 billion (3.1 percent increase). Additionally, there was growth in the
total number of locations throughout the country, increasing from 21,020 in
2015 to 21,260 in 2016 (1.1 percent increase).
“The ISPA U.S. Spa Industry Study reflects a pleasing
picture of steady growth in the industry. The key metrics are all continuing
their upward trend and the numbers in employment highlight the importance of
the spa industry to the US economy,” said Colin McIlheney, Global Research
Director for PwC. With a modest increase
in the overall number employees at 1.6% (365,200 in May 2017 up from 359,300 in
2016), there are currently 32,930 vacant positions for service providers in the
spa industry.
“According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are still
seven million people unemployed throughout the country. Promotion of careers in
the spa industry will be an important initiative for ISPA moving forward,”
McNees said.
Employment in the spa industry can offer many benefits, such
as schedule flexibility, opportunities to work in a variety of international
environments, exceptional training, and career growth. Working in a spa offers
many perks that freelance work does not, including a steady supply of new
clientele, working in a health-minded environment, and opportunities for
continuing education, as well as administration benefits like advertising,
accounting, and booking. With a decrease in contract work between 2016 and
2017, the spa industry presents many opportunities for employment in a business
that offers job security and career growth as it continues to flourish.
ISPA Convenes ~ October 16-18,
2017, Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, NV*
Each year, spa professionals from around the globe attend
the ISPA Conference & Expo to become more knowledgeable and gain a
competitive edge in the marketplace. With three days of speaker presentations
covering a range of topics including business strategy, customer service and
management, attendees will find solutions to everyday business dilemmas. Aside
from professional development the Expo floor offers the latest spa products
available on the market. At the spa industry's "must-attend" event,
Conference veterans and new attendees alike join to connect with each other,
gain insight and inspiration and celebrate continued industry growth.
Editor’s Note: This year’s event
will be ISPA’s 27th Annual Conference & Expo. Since 1996, I’ve had the pleasure of
attending twelve of these incredible events.
2018
ISPA Board of Directors and Officers Elected*
The International SPA Association (ISPA) is pleased to
announce the 2018 ISPA Board of Directors and officers. Their terms will begin
on October 18, 2017, at the ISPA Conference & Expo at Mandalay Bay Resort
& Casino in Las Vegas.
“We are grateful for the dedication of those that step up
each year and apply to serve their association,” said ISPA President Lynne
McNees. “We appreciate the volume of applicants and are incredibly excited to
welcome the new board members to an already exceptional group of strong leaders
serving the spa industry.”
The ISPA Board of Directors will be led by elected Chairman
Todd Shaw, spa director at The Peaks Resort & Spa. Todd Hewitt, corporate
director spa, health clubs and recreation, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, was
elected to serve as Vice Chairman and Garrett Mersberger, director of wellness
and Kohler Water Spas, Kohler Co., will serve as Secretary/Treasurer. Michael
Tompkins, executive recruiter, Hutchinson Consulting, will continue to serve in
the Immediate Past Chairman role.
Newly Elected Board Members:
Damien Craft, senior spa director North America, Four
Seasons Westlake Village
Brennan Evans, vice president spa operations, Trilogy Spa
Holdings
Kelleye Heydon, spa director, The Edgewater Spa
Re-elected Incumbent Directors:
Kristine Huffman, president, Huffman Hospitality Concepts
Laura Parsons, director of operations – The Americas, ESPA
International US, LTD. (Spa Division)
Eric Stephenson, director of education, Well World Group
Frank Pitsikalis, founder and chief executive officer,
ResortSuite, and Sharilyn Abbajay, founder, Abbajay & Associates LLC, will
continue to serve in their roles on the ISPA Foundation Board of Directors as
Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively.
These individuals will join the current directors who are in
the middle of an active board term including: Noel Asmar, president and chief
executive officer, Noel Asmar Group, Inc.; Scott Duncan, president, Spa
Gregorie’s; Blake Feeney, vice president – business development, Living Earth
Crafts; Patrick Huey, group spa director – Asia, Minor Hotel Group; Julie
Oliff, director of operations – residences, St. Regis Aspen; Robert Vance,
managing director, Well & Being Spa at the Fairmont Princess; and Lynne
McNees, president, ISPA. Dr. Brent Bauer, director of complementary and
integrative medicine program, Mayo Clinic, will continue to serve as ISPA’s
medical advisor.
Michael Harmsworth and Dawn Tardif complete their service on
the ISPA Board of Directors. The ISPA Board of Directors is indebted to
Michael, Dawn and all ISPA volunteers for their contributions and dedication to
the spa industry.
Each person was selected from an impressive pool of
candidates following an extensive nomination and interview process. The
application process for the 2019 ISPA Board of Directors will launch in Spring
2018. At that time, a call for candidates will be announced to all ISPA
members. Currently, ISPA members may participate in the association’s growth
and success by applying to serve on the 2018 ISPA Volunteer Committee. The
application will open in late 2017.
For more information on ISPA, including additional press
related information (*), visit https://experienceispa.com
~
Miscellany ~
Spa Week ~ Spa Week is a bi-annual event that occurs every April and October; it’s a terrific way for spa aficionados and newbies alike to enjoy and experience the spa and wellness lifestyle at hundreds of participating spas throughout North America. Some of the most popular treatments offered will be featured and specially priced at only $50.00. Treatments offered will vary depending on the participating location, and there are usually two to three different full-services offered to choose from. Now is great time to book your treatment experience, as bookings fill up fast. For more information, visit https://www.spaweek.com
~ In
Closing ~
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| (Image from www.discovertheforest.org) |
I’m not one to get into hype or trends, but
if you’ve heard the term “forest bathing” in recent months, and were wondering
what the heck is was, stop wondering.
Back in the day, when I was a kid, this was commonly referred to as
“communing with nature”. Forest Bathing
is nothing more than taking time away from one’s frenetic schedule by spending
time in a forest to decompress, and reconnect with nature; the solitude of
introspection and self-reflection is easy to attain as one is surrounded by the
“quietude” of a forest. It’s a time to reacquaint
oneself with the simpler basics of life, through nature; it’s also a time to
appreciate that life is more than deadlines, schedules, and goals, and that the
pace of slow is more beneficial to one’s wellbeing than the pace of
hectic.
Taking time for oneself isn’t
hedonistic. It’s an investment in the
care and nurturing of self, of wellbeing.
So, go and find a forest and do some restorative bathing, or find a spa
and experience a restorative treatment.
Either one (or both) will make you glad you did so, and your psyche will
definitely thank you. That’s it for this
edition. Until the next one, remember to
take care of yourself and those you love.
By Terry Herman
TERRY HERMAN is a recognized expert in the
industry, and regularly covers issues that include business, management,
operations, customer care, treatments, products, and trends. In the 1990s, she
authored an extensive "Glossary of Spa Terminologies" and holds two
copyright registrations on her authored work. Consumer and trade
publications have also interviewed her as an expert. She also conducted an extensive nationally
broadcasted interview tour on aspects of creating an at-home spa, interior
design, music, stress and time management.
Her work has been published extensively in print and digital in both
consumer and trade publications. In addition to writing, reviewing and
being interviewed as an expert, she is also a management consultant and motivational
speaker. She also served on the
International Advisory Board for the former EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In
Retreat To Wellness; the Advisory Board was comprised of ten international
experts in various fields of wellness and spa.
She also served each of the Five Pillars Task Force groups for the Asia
Pacific Spa & Wellness Council (APSWC).
She has been a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa
Buzz, and is currently an Administrator for three Facebook Groups, Wild Food
Society, Spa College, and North Shore Opera Hour. In addition
to her blogs, her social media outreach includes Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter,
and Pinterest. Be sure to read her food, wine and culinary
digital magazine, TERRY’S SECOND HELPINGS. Don’t forget
to “Like” her Facebook Page, Terry’s Second Helpings. Please note that the “Comment Section” has
been disabled. For additional
information, email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.
ALL MATERIALS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED
(Photo credits as indicated, or as represented by the
specific brand.)
