Inspiration
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Reflections on #ISPA 2025: A Five-Star Conference Experience
For the first time in more than a quarter-century, the ISPA Conference returned to The Broadmoor, an iconic destination that—much like ISPA itself—has evolved and thrived over the decades. Since our previous gathering there in 1998, The Broadmoor has become a five-star resort— making the 2025 event ISPA’s first-ever five-star Conference experience. It was the perfect setting to celebrate 35 years of ISPA with countless opportunities for learning, networking and inspiration.
Reimagine, Redesign, Retail: 7 Tips to Craft a Spa Retail Experience from Existing Space
Purpose-built day spas or resorts will have retail spaces in mind during planning and development stages. That is a luxury not available to those attempting to retrofit a spa into an existing structure. Transforming a venue into a spa retail section requires ingenuity and creativity. These tips ensure a serene and inviting retail space—no matter what the facility was used for in its previous life.
Reviving Mental Vitality: Tools to Rejuvenate Mental Energy and Banish Burnout
Burnout can be managed both personally and professionally—in the home and in the workplace. Individuals can manage burnout by strategies like progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, diaphragmatic breathing, meditation and mindfulness-based stress reduction. It can also be managed by the type of foods you eat, the amount of sleep you get, vigorous experience and managing substance use. It’s also important to understand your social needs: Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Find your friends and be aware of isolation and loneliness. Recognize your spiritual and psychological needs: Find time to do partake in quiet reflection or religious/spiritual practice, spend time outdoors, practice gratitude, be of service to others and give time or resources to something you care about. Organizational strategies are important to managers to ensure their organization is not on the path to burnout. It’s imperative to gather feedback to understand what’s working, what’s not working and what motivates or drains your teams.
Rita Barreto: Help Your Company Shine in a Competitive Talent Market
What can make a difference in your business is the people you hire. In this session, learn how to up your game when attracting and retaining talent. The lessons and tools you’ll receive will help your company stand out, retain talent and attract new clientele.
Pulse: When should spas recruit promising but untrained individuals to the team, and when should they hold out for proven talent?
Rita Barreto: It depends. Hiring for attitude vs. talent has been a challenge faced by leaders for years and chances are you don’t have time to train. Also, some positions require proven experience with specific skills. The bottom line: If you want to be the best, you MUST have the RIGHT ATTITUDE! I’d say, open your recruiting pool, hire for attitude when you can—it can’t be taught, skills can! Be sure to ask questions about the competencies important to your spa: teamwork, communication, commitment to excellence and a can-do attitude! Next, put in place a fast-track mentoring program for current and new talent. Development opportunities are top on employee lists of what they want in a position and it drives retention of talent.
Sheila Johnson: Pioneering the Tranquil Revolution in Spa Hospitality
Sheila Johnson’s driving force when creating the Salamander Middleburg resort was the desire to craft a spa experience that seamlessly merged with nature. Reflecting on her professional entry into the spa scene, Johnson shares, “I had never previously been involved in either the hospitality or spa fields, but it was my interest in health and wellness that led me into both.”
Salamander Middleburg is a 340-acre resort in the heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Only 30 minutes from Dulles International Airport, Salamander Middleburg is the D.C. area’s first Forbes Five-Star destination resort and spa. Boasting equestrian programs, countryside bike tours and aerial parks, the resort is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts while also featuring gourmet dining, indulgent spa treatments and spacious, lavishly appointed guest rooms. For Johnson, Salamander Middleburg’s essence lies in its tranquility. “The spa’s carefully designed spaces draw the outdoors inside,” she notes.
Showing Appreciation is Often Overlooked (Elevate Your LeadershipPart V)
There is an alarming gap in the work place. The majority of employees don’t feel apprecaited at their job, while the majority of bosses feel they show appreciation to their employees. Why is that? How can it be fixed?
Smiley Poswolsky: Recruitment is Personal: Attracting Top Talent in Challenging Times
“There’s one word—one thing I want you to take away today,” Smiley Poswolsky said as the word BELONGING appeared on the digital display behind him. “We know it when we see it. We know it when we give it.” Smiley then shared an alarming statistic: 70 percent of Americans are disengaged with their jobs today. Some, he said, are so disengaged they actively work against their company.
Spa Values on Display Through ISPA Awards
During each daily power session in Colorado Springs, attendees will witness the presentation of a prestigious award to honor individuals whose remarkable dedication, innovation, leadership and compassion exemplify the values of the Association and inspire others to follow suit.
The Five-Star Spa: The Spa at The Broadmoor
The spa at The Broadmoor is a 43,000-square-foot retreat that masterfully blends European elegance with modern luxury. Since its opening in 1994, this Forbes Five-Star spa has remained a serene haven for guests seeking a truly indulgent experience. A major renovation in 2004-2005 expanded the space, and a refresh in 2020 ensured the spa continues to captivate visitors with its timeless charm.
Designed to evoke the essence of a classic European bathhouse, The Spa at The Broadmoor features calming hues of blue, cream and gold, with every detail thoughtfully chosen to reflect the property’s Italian-inspired architecture. “We wanted to create a space that feels both luxurious and peaceful,” says Assistant Spa Director Saundra Quintana. This design approach ensures guests can enjoy the spa’s many amenities in a private and seamless manner.
The Hidden Gem of Horse Country: Inside the Kentucky Castle
Towering over the picturesque rolling hills of horse country lies a hidden gem, The Kentucky Castle Spa— a time capsule of tranquility and rejuvenation in the heart of Kentucky farmland. Chief Operating Officer Christie Eckerline invites Open House readers into this locally iconic space, sharing insights into its mysterious origin, transformation and retail philosophy.