Inspiration
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Beacons Within The Spa Community: ISPA Conference Awards recognize industry’s brightest lights
VISIONARY AWARD • Michael Tompkins The ISPA Visionary Award is presented each year to a true spa industry visionary who has made significant contributions to both the definition and positive movement of health and wellness over the lifetime of their career.
Ben Nemtin: Making the Impossible Possible
“By doing what you love, you actually inspire other people to do what they love—and that ripple effect continues more than you will ever know.” That was the advice Ben Nemtin shared with ISPA Conference attendees in May, and also a personal philosophy he has put into action by encouraging others to create and accomplish a “life’s bucket list.”
“There’s also a ripple effect when you help someone,” Ben continued. “Because you aren’t just helping that one person. You help their friends, you help their family, you help everyone who comes in touch with them. Kindness is contagious—because of the ripple effect. A smile creates a ripple.”
Ben, who received ISPA’s Alex Szekely Humanitarian Award prior to his keynote address, had the spa industry in mind as he discussed the ripple effect of kindness. “The work you do day in, day out, helps people reduce stress, increase resilience, bolster mental health,” he told ISPA members. “The problem is, the day-to-day stress, the pace, makes it difficult to contribute to that ripple.”
Bringing Out the Best in Your Staff: Key Tips to Overcome Any Barrier
It was such a treat to be back presenting at ISPA. Thank you to all the amazing attendees who gave the gift of their time and attention, and came with open hearts and minds to my session. If you were not able to make it, here are five top takeaways:
1 The question is not how to bring about the best in our staff, but rather, How can we create an environment where our team can bring all of themselves to work? We must focus on what we can do to create a workspace where our team can do their best work, and flourish and thrive.
2 What makes a “best job ever” comes down to one word—and it isn’t money. When people feel what they do has significance and the work they do matters, their sense of job satisfaction increases dramatically.
3 When we can align the tasks needed to run our business with the strengths of our staff—as opposed to their job description—both engagement and enjoyment will flourish. If you are not sure where the true strengths of your team reside, listen with your eyes. When people work inside their strengths:
- Inflection will rise
- Speech will become more rapid
- Posture will improve
- Eyes will be wide, and eyebrows raised
- Smiling and laughing will occur naturally
- Hand gestures will increase
- Speech will become more fluent
Building Lasting Connections: How to Stay Engaged with ISPA Conference Attendees Beyond the Event
With the curtain closed on another dynamic ISPA Conference, spa industry leaders find themselves brimming with inspiration, insights and newfound connections. Yet, in the fast-paced spa industry, maintaining these valuable connections requires strategic follow-up and engagement. Here are some indispensable tips for staying connected with ISPA Conference attendees long after the event:
Carefully Curated Haven: Riverstone Resort & Spa
Set against the enchanting backdrop of the Smokey Mountains, RiverStone Resort & Spa is a carefully curated haven spanning 3,100 square feet and counting. The spa has continuously evolved since its establishment in 2007, with significant renovations enhancing both the treatment and retail spaces. This summer is a particularly exciting time for RiverStone Spa, as numerous new treatment areas and features are being added to the space.
Carrie Ummel: Personalizing Your Retail Space to Captivate Consumers
Learn how to identify your spa’s personality, curate brands to support your spa’s unique experience and tell a story with your merchandising to keep guests coming back for more. These tools will help create a winning strategy for an enjoyable shopping experience, while turning merchandise and increasing sales.
Pulse: Is there an accepted rule for how many product suppliers should be represented in a spa? Is it based on unit sales, physical space, or other considerations?
Carrie Ummel: There are so many factors to include in this decision. For me, the physical space, the spa treatments and resort experiences are the three factors I start with when determining how many vendors and products to offer in the retail experience. When considering the physical space, it is just as important to “protect” the arrival experience and boutique space with a calm and inviting atmosphere as it is to fill it with the right product.
The menu of experiences our guests choose from help to form the categories of vendors to include. For example, if fitness machines and classes are not a part of the spa experience offered to guests, then I consider cozy lounge wear versus activewear. Or, if the spa and resort rooms do not have bathtubs, I skip the bath bombs. Stay true to the moments your guest can and will have while on property.
Celebrating 35 Years As A Member of ISPA
Thirty-five years may seem like a long time—or a lifetime—to many of you, but when I look back on my 35-year journey as a member of ISPA, it feels more like a blink of my eye. The past three and a half decades have been a testament to the enduring power of commitment, innovation and a shared vision in the spa industry. ISPA has been more than just an organization during this period; it has been a guiding force and a supportive community that has continuously inspired and strengthened its members.
Celebrating the 2024 ISPA Innovate Award WInners
At the ISPA Conference in March, the latest ISPA Innovate Award winners took center stage during a Main Stage Power Session. Voted on by ISPA members, these prestigious awards celebrate the trailblazing work of both Spa and Resource Partner members. Spa category winners were honored for standout initiatives in philanthropy, retail, guest experience, operations and facility renovations. Resource Partner honorees were recognized for groundbreaking product launches and meaningful philanthropic contributions.
Celebrating with Peter Katz
ISPA members experienced a rare “first” during the Day Three Power Session when Juno Award-nominated singer-songwriter Peter Katz opened his keynote with a moment of true exclusivity—performing a brand-new song for the first time. With lyrics reflecting life’s most pro[1]found and everyday moments, he set the stage for a session that was both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Charming Seaside: The Avenue Apothecary & Spa
The Avenue Apothecary & Spa, located just a block from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, stands out in this charming seaside town.
Constructed in 1999 and opened in 2000, the spa has undergone multiple renovations to maintain its modern, inviting atmosphere. “We prioritize keeping the appearance of the spa up to date and beautiful,” says co-owner Victoria DeSilver. Major renovations in 2010 expanded the space, and in 2019, the retail store received a complete makeover. Over the past two years, all treatment areas have been updated, ensuring both function and aesthetics meet the highest standards.