ISPA Invests in the Future of the Spa Industry

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The International SPA Association continues to be the leading source for spa industry research, business tools and curriculum. As the voice of the industry, ISPA is ensuring the sustainability of the spa industry by investing again in its members and providing complimentary resources to its membership. Beginning at the 2008 ISPA Conference & Expo held Nov. 10-13 in Las Vegas digital copies of existing and future research studies will be available for ISPA members at no cost. Essential research such as the Spa Industry Studies, Spa-Goer Study and the Consumer Report can now be easily accessed and utilized by all members. The association is also working on a pioneering global study of 15 countries that will be released soon and available in a digital format complimentary for members.

Another exciting step in making ISPA business tools and curriculum more widely available is a recent partnership between ISPA, the ISPA Foundation and The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. ISPA and EI are reducing prices of spa curriculum to address one of the industries top issues – the lack of a qualified labor pool. This partnership allows a price reduction in spa curriculum for both ISPA members and nonmembers. Through expanded marketing efforts with EI more spa curriculum will be in the hands of students interested in a spa industry career.

“With more than 303,700 people employed by the spa industry it is essential to make business tools, research and curriculum easily accessible,” said ISPA President Lynne McNees. “In working with EI we will reach an unmatched number of industry professionals and students to provide them with ongoing education.”

“EI and ISPA have significantly expanded our previous partnership arrangement that will result in a win-win for both organizations and their respective customer bases. Under the new agreement, EI and ISPA will continue to work closely together on product development and publishing of spa- related products, and EI will assume sales, expanded marketing efforts and fulfillment responsibilities for numerous ISPA-owned products,” explained Wes Ardis, EI’s senior vice president. “EI will use its sales team and worldwide market reach to put spa education and training materials in the hands of both ISPA and EI/AHLA customers. Members of both organizations will receive discounted member pricing. We have had an excellent relationship with ISPA for several years and are absolutely delighted that they have offered us an expanded role in their education and training product offerings.”

Tools and curriculum involved include:

• “SPA: A Comprehensive Introduction” combines the wisdom and experience of a diverse group of seasoned industry professionals to provide a cross-cultural view of the world of spa. The text examines today’s spa industry and introduces students to spa careers. A video component helps to further illustrate each chapter’s main points.
• “Retail Management for Spas: The Art and Science of Retail” explores retail planning, inventory management, maximizing profits, sales and service, visual merchandising, and marketing within the spa environment.
• The “Uniform System of Financial Reporting for Spas” provides a financial reporting system that gives spa operators the tools to measure, compare and report on the financial health of their business.
• Supervisory Skill Builders Program workbooks provide a case study approach to building supervisory skills and are for spa supervisors and other professionals interested in supervisory level education in the spa industry.

To purchase any of the tools or curriculum contact EI at 1.800.344.4381 or 1.517.372.8800, (outside the United States and Canada, call 1.407.999.8100) or purchase them through the ISPA shopping cart by visiting http://www.experienceispa.com/.

About the International SPA Association

The International SPA Association is recognized worldwide as the leading professional organization and voice of the spa industry. ISPA’s membership is comprised of more than 3,000 health and wellness facilities and providers from 75 countries. Founded in 1991, ISPA advances the spa industry by providing invaluable educational and networking opportunities, promoting the value of the spa experience and speaking as the authoritative voice to foster professionalism and growth.

About the ISPA Foundation

Created in 1999 to serve the educational and research needs of the spa industry through endowments, curriculum development and scholarships, the ISPA Foundation is the nonprofit 501(c)3 arm of ISPA. The ISPA Foundation’s mission is to improve and enhance the value of the spa experience while supporting its vision of sustainable health and well-being through the advancement of spa culture. For more information on the ISPA Foundation and opportunities for involvement, please visit www.experienceispa.com.

About EI

Established in 1953 as a nonprofit educational foundation of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Educational Institute’s mission is to support AH&LA by becoming the preferred provider to the lodging industry, hospitality schools, and related hospitality industries both domestically and internationally by developing and providing quality resources to train, educate, and certify hospitality professionals.