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Harmony in Heritage: Overcoming COVID-19 Challenges

April 11, 2024

Deep in the COVID pandemic, The Umstead Spa closed its doors for seven months to undergo a major renovation that gave the facility a facelift, freshened the soft goods, redesigned the wet areas with tile-heated chaises and added outdoor relaxation lounges and a relaxation space in the ladies’ wet area that includes a Himalayan salt wall.

The pandemic both informed and hampered their efforts. Carolyn Doe, the spa director who has been with the spa since 2009, has carefully gauged the needs of their guests and has witnessed the effects of the pandemic.

Harmony In Heritage: Renovation veterans provide insight into overhauling historic spas

April 11, 2024

It is not just in the services menu where spa professionals must create equilibrium between the old and the new, walking a line between honoring the past and its traditions while embracing modern amenities and advancements. It is a balancing act that shows up in the physical walls of the spa and in every decision made during renovations, particularly for spas that exist in historic lodging properties, hotels and resorts with deep-rooted traditions and distinct characters.

Renovating a spa at a historic property requires a respect for the past and a commitment to the future. It is an undertaking that demands a skill for storytelling, thoughtfulness about staffing issues and knowledge of guest desires.

Harnessing AI For Spa Marketing

October 3, 2024

The introduction of publicly-available artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, such as ChatGPT in November 2022, has profoundly impacted various industries, including spa and wellness. With nearly 15 years of experience in consulting, I’ve witnessed firsthand the marketing challenges spas face, particularly those with limited budgets. AI has emerged as a transformative tool, serving as an efficient and cost-effective solution for digital marketing in the spa sector.

 

Hay Bath

Body detoxification treatment through the use of steamed hay.

Heliotherapy

The use of sunlight for the treatment of different skin conditions. Uses UV rays from the sun in small doses, which can induce vitamin D production in the skin.

Hellerwork

Hellerwork is a system of bodywork that combines deep tissue massage, body movement education, and verbal dialogue. It is designed to realign the body’s structure for overall health, improvement of posture, and reduction of physical and mental stress.

Help Wanted: From Posting Jobs and Conducting Interviews to Onboarding New Hires and Retaining Top Talent, ISPA Has You Covered

December 16, 2024

ISPA members have access to an array of resources designed to make the hiring process seamless and efficient from start to finish. Whether you’re hiring for the first time or growing an established spa team, the ISPA Career Center should be your first stop in finding the right talent.

Posting your open positions on the ISPA Career Center ensures your opportunities reach the most qualified candidates. The best part: Unlimited job postings are included with your ISPA membership investment, saving you hundreds of dollars each month. With job seekers dedicated to the spa and wellness sector, your open positions will get visibility among a pool of professionals eager to contribute their skills to an organization like yours. The Career Center platform also makes it easy to manage job listings and track applicants, helping you to identify the perfect fit for your spa.

Help Your Company Shine in a Competitive Talent Market

September 14, 2023

If you want your company to shine in this competitive marketplace, some trends need immediate attention this year.

  • Consider how you can build flexibility into your schedule. Some leaders fear flexibility as they assume it means working from home. That’s not always an option or what they want. Make the time to engage in a conversation with your employees about how you can build in some flexibility while still providing services. Sometimes, a simple change in schedule will do the trick!
  • Especially for Gen Zs and Millennials, purpose matters. Get involved with your community and support local causes. Be clear about what is important to you and share your passion on your website and through social media. If you are involved in feeding the homeless, collecting supplies for children or donating hours to a local charity, share your commitment to the community.
  • Assess and improve your overall applicant experience. Every step of the process is an opportunity to create a WOW experience. Applicants are checking you out just as much as you are checking them out. Demonstrate your amazing culture at every step and use a short cycle time to hire. It doesn’t stop at the interview. It’s frustrating to hire employees only to have them not show up on day one. Have you stayed in touch with them since the job offer? Keeping them engaged is paramount! Consider sending a nice note signed by your team upon their accepting a position. Stay engaged by creating a memorable experience.
  • New employee celebration (orientation) should be an experience that not only focuses on the necessary paperwork, but also includes time well spent on culture, history and how exceptional it is to work in the industry. They should feel so honored and excited to join the team! Thirty days after they are hired, ask them about their experience and what you do that’s better/worse than where they used to work!
  • Clarify, promote and protect your brand. Review your website and social media. Applicants don’t always look at your home page. Your job page needs to tell the story about how amazing it is to work in your industry, not just a job listing. Feature stories should include S-P-A: a Story, Point and Action! Action could be as simple as saying, “What about you? Are you ready to contact us and become a part of an amazing team?”

Herbal Body Wrap

The body is wrapped in warm linen or cotton sheets which have been steeped like tea bags in a variety of aromatic herbs, then covered with blankets or towels, preventing the moist heat from escaping.

High Frequency Facial

A high frequency facial is a treatment that helps improve overall skin complexion using a glass electrode filled with argon or neon gas which generates a high frequency current with a high oscillation rate when applied to the skin. The oscillation causes a slight heat increase, which affects the blood circulation in the skin, cleanses, and tones the skin. This process is very safe and gentle, and can benefit multiple different skin issues such as fine line, wrinkles, acne, enlarged pores, hydration and the tightening and toning of loose skin.

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