AWARD RECIPIENTS ADD TO THE HARMONY FELT DURING THE 2006 ISPA CONFERENCE & EXPO

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.

• 2006 ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award – Gayle Brady – Skin Authority, director of development. Brady has dedicated more than 20 years to the industry and has been involved with ISPA since it’s beginning in 1991. She served on the ISPA Board of Directors and held the offices of chairman, vice chairman and secretary. Brady commented that, “The funny thing about receiving this award is that I have personally grown and learned so much from my involvement with ISPA that I should be giving ISPA an award.”
  The Dedicated Contributor Award is given to an active ISPA member who has demonstrated leadership and commitment to ISPA and has significantly assisted in the promotion of the association, as well as its mission and vision.
• 2006 ISPA Alex Szekely Humanitarian Award – Dr. Michael Jacobson – Center for Science in the Public Interest, co-founder and executive director.
  Dr. Jacobson has been an advocate for accuracy in food labeling and disclosure of nutrition information for more than 30 years. As part of his relentless campaigning for healthy behavioral choices, Jacobson was among the first to combat junk-food advertising aimed at children and to address the nutritional quality of school meals.
  Some of the criteria considered for potential recipients of the ISPA Alex Szekely Humanitarian Award include their contributions toward integrative medicine, and active promotion of preventive health and appropriate lifestyle behavioral changes that contribute to longevity and quality of life.
• 2006 ISPA Visionary Award – Sylvia Sepielli – Sylvia Planning And design, owner and president. Sepielli is well-known as one of the most knowledgeable innovators and visionaries in the spa industry. When accepting the award, she commented, “Vision is appreciated or recognized mostly after the fact. For me, it typically is in the form of ‘Why didn’t I think of the iPod, or Google, or YouTube?’ Nevertheless, trusting that the universe will light my path, I typically plunge forward, relying on intuition and inspiration.”
  The ISPA Visionary Award is given to an active ISPA member who has contributed significantly toward both the definition and positive movement of heath and wellness over the lifetime of their career.

The 2007 ISPA awards will be presented during next year’s Conference & Expo. The event is set for Nov. 12-15 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla., USA. Additional Conference information can be found at http://www.experienceispa.com/cms/cms/articles/.

About ISPA

ISPA is recognized worldwide as the leading professional organization and voice of the spa industry. Founded in 1991, ISPA’s membership is comprised of more than 2,700 health and wellness facilities and providers from 75 countries. ISPA strives to advance the professionalism of the spa industry by providing invaluable educational and networking opportunities, to promote the value of the spa experience to society and to be the authoritative voice of the spa industry.

(Editor’s note – please contact Debra Locker at the above information for award winner photos.)