LEXINGTON, Ky., and SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - With more than 234,000 people employed by the U.S. spa industry, the varying pay scales for therapists, front desk staff and managers are an ongoing topic of discussion. To help spa professionals attract quality employees with competitive compensation, the International SPA Association and WageWatch Inc. are enhancing the online Spa Compensation Survey.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Don't you wish someone had told you exactly what to expect when you started your first job? There's no doubt that things would have probably gone a lot smoother! Aspiring spa professionals can now breathe a sigh of relief because the International SPA Association has developed the Spa Professional Career Guide to put them ahead of the game in the competitive spa career arena.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - A world-renowned leader in architectural design will be honored during the 2007 International SPA Association's Conference & Expo, Nov. 12-15 in Kissimmee, Florida, United States. Clodagh, founder of Clodagh Design International, is the recipient of the ISPA 2007 Visionary Award.

LANSING, Mich. and LEXINGTON, Ky. - The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute is adding spa-related textbooks and educational resources to its line of hospitality management textbooks thanks to a collaboration with the International SPA Association and the ISPA Foundation.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - For most of us, the scents of cinnamon, apple and pumpkin bring to mind cozy images of baking and eating pies, cookies and other goodies on crisp, autumn nights. Though, the coziness of autumn should not be confined to the kitchen. Instead of eating those ingredients, it's time to wear them!

LEXINGTON, Ky. - World-renowned author, actress and civil-rights activist Dr. Maya Angelou will inspire attendees of the 17th annual International SPA Association Conference & Expo, Nov. 12-15, in Kissimmee, Fla., U.S.A. The Grammy award-winning orator will be the keynote speaker for the final General Session on Thursday, Nov. 15 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Conference Center.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - A respected leader in spa education will be honored during the 2007 International SPA Association's Conference & Expo, Nov. 12-15, in Kissimmee, Fla., United States. Jonathan Paul DeVierville, Ph.D., director of the Alamo Plaza Spa at the historic Menger Hotel and Professor of History, The Humanities, and Global Studies at St. Philip's College, San Antonio, Texas, is the recipient of the ISPA 2007 Dedicated Contributor Award.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - World-renowned author, actress and civil-rights activist Dr. Maya Angelou will inspire attendees of the 17th annual International SPA Association Conference & Expo, Nov. 12-15, in Kissimmee, Fla., U.S.A. The Grammy award-winning orator will be the keynote speaker for the final General Session on Thursday, Nov. 15 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Conference Center.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - If slipping on a pair of sandals makes you cringe and question if even professional help could save those toes, you may want to think about treating your feet to a spa experience - fast! Nothing can spoil your trendy spring and summer look like rough soles, cracked heels and dull nails. So, before you find yourself in a hydration crisis, take advantage of spa offerings that will allow you to put your best bare foot forward.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - With his books as fixtures on bestseller lists and his teachings being followed by corporations around the world, Jim Collins now turns his attention to the spa industry. Collins will share his secrets on turning good companies into great ones during the 2007 International SPA Association Conference & Expo, Nov. 12-15 in Kissimmee, Fla., USA. The "Good to Great" author will be the opening keynote speaker on Monday, Nov. 12.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - When you walk through the doors of your favorite spa, sit down in the massaging pedicure chair and stick your feet into the water that isn't quite the right temperature, do you say anything to your therapist? What about if you walk into a treatment room for your Hot Stone massage and the music is too loud? Or, the stones are too hot? Do you just lie on the table and grin and bear it?

LEXINGTON, Ky. - With one in four American adults having visited a spa and more people working in the spa industry than ever before, the partnership between the spa professional and the spa guest is more important than ever. There are potential risks inherent within spas, yet few, if any, risk management tools to address them. The International SPA Association recognized this, and in partnership with the Resort Hotel Association, took a proactive approach and created a comprehensive risk management program for spas.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The International SPA Association Foundation creates a scholarship named in honor of spa industry pioneer Cornell University Associate Professor Mary H. Tabacchi, Ph.D., R.D.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - After eight consecutive years of international professional service par excellence, ISPA International Spa & Wellness Conference and Exhibition has become one of the leading conferences and exhibitions in the spa and wellness arena worldwide. Working toward perfection in show management and quality as their main interest, the ISPA committee has successively explored new grounds that create dynamic opportunities benefiting the members and the industry.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The following volunteer leaders for the International SPA Association and the ISPA Foundation are set to lead both groups on a strategic path into the future. The ISPA Board is led by newly-elected Chairman Jim Root and returning as the ISPA Foundation President is John Korpi.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The International SPA Association's International Spa & Wellness Conference and Exhibition, also known as ISPA Asia 2006, was recently named "Spa Event of the Year" by the Baccarat AsiaSpa Awards. A panel of 26 Asia-based spa experts made the nominations for the awards, which were announced on Nov. 17 as well as in the Nov./Dec. issue of AsiaSpa.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Giving credit to others was a theme as the recipients of the 2006 International SPA Association awards were recently recognized. The awards were presented during the 16th annual ISPA Conference & Expo, Nov. 6-9 at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., USA.

Leading her final Conference as the Chairman of the International SPA Association, Kate Mearns set the tone for the week during the opening General Session, "If each spa professional continues to work together for the good of our consumer, our industry will be unstoppable. With invisible walls and invisible borders and a common goal. We will be able to provide a spa experience that has purpose. Through our business objectives, our personal innovations and tireless passion we help inspire our guests to create their own life balance - their own harmony."

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The International SPA Association is preparing to take Las Vegas by storm again this fall as the world's leading spa professionals gather for the 16th annual ISPA Conference & Expo. Set for Nov. 6 - 9 at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, the ISPA Conference & Expo will feature more than 75 hours of education, 400 booths in the Expo and an estimated 3,000 attendees.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - A spa and fitness leader who has dedicated more than 20 years to the industry will be honored during the 2006 International SPA Association Conference & Expo, Nov. 6 - 9 in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Gayle Brady, director of development for Skin Authority, is the recipient of the ISPA 2006 Dedicated Contributor Award.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - An advocate for nutrition and health will be honored during the 2006 International SPA Association Conference & Expo, Nov. 6 - 9 in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Dr. Michael Jacobson, co-founder and executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), is the recipient of the ISPA 2006 Alex Szekely Humanitarian Award.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - A spa and fitness leader who has dedicated more than 20 years to the industry will be honored during the 2006 International SPA Association Conference & Expo, Nov. 6 - 9 in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Gayle Brady, director of development for Skin Authority, is the recipient of the ISPA 2006 Dedicated Contributor Award.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - As the season changes, ease your body into cooler weather by experiencing the warm colors, rich fragrances and seasonal ingredients and treatments that spas are offering this fall. After three months of vacationing and spending time in the sun, International SPA Association members are stressing the importance of post-summer skin care.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - As spas are seen as places for nurturing and wellness, spa professionals are offering special treatments and products this summer that encourage safe skin care. The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that more than 90 percent of all skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. ISPA members want to help lower that percentage.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The International SPA Association and the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) have collaborated for the first time on a groundbreaking new spa traveler study. The study, titled "Identifying the Spa Traveler: A Look at U.S. and Canadian Consumer Attitudes and Motivators for Spa Vacations," was released at the Leading Spas of Canada Conference on April 10 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - As the season changes, ease your body into cooler weather by experiencing the warm colors, rich fragrances and seasonal ingredients and treatments that spas are offering this fall. After three months of vacationing and spending time in the sun, International SPA Association members are stressing the importance of post-summer skin care.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Journalists from global television networks, the world's largest newspapers and popular magazine titles will be introduced to 25 top spas at the 2006 International SPA Association Media Event. Set for July in New York City, the ISPA Media Event is the longest running and most respected event for journalists who cover the spa lifestyle, wellness, travel, leisure, beauty and business.

Bangkok, May 17, 2006 - ISPA 2006 Thailand International Spa & Wellness Conference and Exhibition officially closed in resounding success lauded by exhibitors, trade buyers and visitors. The event which was dubbed as the "Best ISPA Asia Pacific Event to date" was held last May 3-5, 2006 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok, Thailand. It was attended by more than 312 conference delegates with the participation of about 174 exhibitors representing Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the North America.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - As the spa lifestyle is woven more prominently into mainstream culture, several newsworthy trends are actually becoming expectations for spa-goers. As the respected voice of the spa industry, the International SPA Association keeps a pulse on current and future trends through its network of 2,500 members in 73 countries.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The International SPA Association proudly announces that Hay House has been named the official Inspirational and Self-Help Publisher of ISPA.

The following volunteer leaders for ISPA and the ISPA Foundation are set to lead both groups on a strategic path into the future. By serving as board members, these dedicated volunteers commit time and resources throughout their terms and work in harmony to strengthen the spa industry.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - During the 15th annual International SPA Association Conference & Expo, leading spa professionals re-ignited their passion for the industry they love, while making the bonds of the ISPA community even stronger. Held Sept. 30 - Oct. 3 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, United States, the 2005 ISPA Conference included nearly 2,500 attendees from 40 countries.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - There's hardly any topic in the spa industry that is more heavily discussed than retail. With that in mind, the International SPA Association and the ISPA Foundation have partnered to create a retail management course.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The International SPA Association Foundation is in the process of creating an endowment fund. The ISPA Foundation Endowment Fund will provide educational grants to foster practical spa industry experience and further spa-specific education.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - A spa industry pioneer who has dedicated more than 65 years to defining and enhancing the spa experience will be honored during the 2005 International SPA Association Conference & Expo, Sept. 30 - Oct. 3 in Dallas, Texas, United States. Deborah Szekely, founder of Rancho La Puerta and Golden Door, will be presented with ISPA's 2005 Alex Szekely Humanitarian Award on Friday, Sept. 30.

Lexington, Ky. - The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 210 thousand women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during 2005. This alarming statistic has motivated members of the International SPA Association to raise awareness of breast cancer and provide essential retreats for patients and survivors.

Lexington, Ky. - Who deserves a spa break more than a teacher? In an effort to acknowledge teachers' vast contributions to children, humanity and society as a whole, several ISPA members are offering relaxation tips, treatments and packages designed for the nation's three-million teachers.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The International SPA Association has updated and redesigned its association and Conference Web sites and combined them under one site - http://www.experienceispa.com/. Launched on April 1, the redesigned and updated Web site is a reflection of the ever-growing spa industry.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Spas, once mistakenly thought to be only for the well-to-do, are finally getting the recognition they deserve. You see them everywhere - airports, doctors' offices, on television commercials and in cities both large and small around the world.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - As the International SPA Association begins its 15th year, the association's new Board of Directors looks strategically to the future. Led by newly-elected Chairman Kate Mearns, the ISPA Board is responsible for overseeing the affairs of the organization, which includes approximately 2,300 members in 69 countries.