Five for Fighting’s John Ondrasik to Receive ISPA’s Humanitarian Award

The International SPA Association (ISPA) will present John Ondrasik with the 2016 ISPA Alex Szekely Humanitarian Award at the 26th annual ISPA Conference & Expo from Sept. 13 – 15, 2016 at The Venetian in Las Vegas, Nev. Ondrasik, a  Grammy-nominated artist, will also serve as keynote speaker on Sept. 14 with a musical performance. 

“John delivers such heartfelt music every time he performs. ISPA loves celebrating those who use their talents to help others. He is the perfect representation of someone that has taken the talents given to him and used them for good,” said ISPA President Lynne McNees.

Singer-songwriter Ondrasik, known by his stage name Five for Fighting, exploded onto the music scene with the release of “Superman” in 2000. “Superman” continued to embed itself in the nation’s consciousness with the events of 9/11, as Ondrasik joined other superstar musicians for the fundraiser, “The Concert for New York,” a 2001 event dedicated to first responders affected by the events of September 11th. Three years later, Ondrasik landed another number one Billboard hit with “100 Years.”

“Personally, giving back through charity work has been the most selfish exercise of my life, as I meet such wonderful and inspiring people,” Ondrasik explained. “Whether it’s the CD for the Troops project or my work with Augie Nieto and ALS, I am continually in awe at the courage and strength of the human spirit.”

The Humanitarian Award is named in honor of the late spa pioneer, Alex Szekely. It is designed to recognize an individual who acts as a respected contributor to overall well-being, encouraging the renewal of mind, body and spirit – all of which are characteristics embodied by ISPA members worldwide. The award will be presented to Ondrasik by Szekely’s mother, Deborah Szekely. 

Past Humanitarian Award recipients include Alice Waters, Jewel, Blake Mycoskie, Lisa Ling and Dr. Maya Angelou. More information about attending the 2016 ISPA Conference & Expo can be found at attendISPA.com.