CHAIRMAN'S UPDATE

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

I start this letter with mixed emotions as it will be my last Chairman's Update to you following a board meeting. The ISPA Board just completed its meeting in Chicago last week - which is the last one before getting together with all of you at Conference in D.C. This also means that it was my last official board meeting as the ISPA chairman. This has been such a rewarding and challenging time to serve the association and I truly have mixed emotions from relief to sadness.

As we all know, leadership positions come with the opportunity to work with teams of people that will teach us new things and open our eyes to different ways of thinking while challenging us in ways we thought unimaginable. The past two years have certainly provided that to me. Whether you realize it or not, as a member of this association, you have an amazing group of leaders that are thinking about the best ways to help grow your business and provide invaluable and relevant resources to you. The ISPA Board consistently proves their focus is squarely on finding ways to grow the spa industry and profession to help us all sustain our businesses.

This meeting was no different. The new things coming your way in 2011 are networking functions called "ISPA Connect." These will be held three times (Toronto; Carefree, Ariz.; and San Diego) next year in conjunction with ISPA Board meetings so we have a chance to get together and network on a consistent basis. As we talked about after the June meeting, these will be the updated version of the current Knowledge Networks; however, the new events won't require you to be away from your office for an entire day which is the challenge expressed by members right now. The board also discussed how we're just coming off the 16th annual ISPA Media Event in New York. Kohler Waters Spa was a sponsor along with eleven other ISPA member spas who had an opportunity to connect with more than 130 top journalists in New York. We are already looking at ways to keep this event fresh for next year, but I can assure you that this is something to make sure you're planning ahead for and put in your budget now. There is no better way to garner media exposure from so many different outlets all in one place in just a few hours. If you are interested in participating next year please contact Shelby Jones for more information.

One of the tried and true conversations for the board is in regards to the necessary investment to provide what you and the media have certainly come to expect - quality research data from ISPA - and this year is no different. You saw the "Big 5" in Touch Points two weeks ago and the full report is coming to you shortly as an ISPA member benefit. ISPA is also working with PwC to take the research results and customize two separate reports with more details digging into the day and resort spa worlds from the information received. Those will be available for purchase at Conference.

As we are all dealing with the ebbs and flows of an unpredictable economy, it is important to have someone to count on. ISPA is that for my business and we appreciate you making the investment in your business for the next year as well. I am proud to announce to you the new officers of ISPA that will take their positions at Conference and be the leadership to carry this association through, to keep it strong and to lean on as a dependable resource.

Deborah Waldvogel of Sedona Resorts has been on the board for five years and has been my right hand for the last year as vice chair. She has been speaking around the world on behalf of this association and educating spa professionals on the amazing resources we provide. Deborah is your new chairman and you are certainly in good hands with her dedication and passion for the industry. Serving as her right hand and your vice chairman is Jennifer Wayland-Smith, of Golden Door Spa at The Boulders in Carefree, Arizona. Jennifer has been involved in the creation of some of the amazing resources you have come to depend on such as the Global Best Practices and has been serving as a board member for six years now. Her passion has always been to focus on the needs of the members and partnering resources by providing them with benefits that can have a lasting impact. And rounding out the leadership for the association as the Treasurer/Secretary is Ella Stimpson of Encore Spa at Wynn Las Vegas. She brings a tremendous amount of experience in creating five-star experiences while managing large budgets. That's exactly her charge for the next year as your treasurer - keep the five-star experience and resources you have come to expect while keeping the association financially stable.

The ISPA Foundation also selected a new group of leadership to keep the projects and focus on research and scholarships forefront. Jeff Kohl of Precor will continue as the president with Cathy Cluff of Oaks at Ojai as the vice president. Calvin Martin of Calvin Martin and Associates will be the treasurer and Sharilyn Abbajay of Marriott Corporation will serve as the secretary.

So as I started this, it is with mixed emotions that I wrap up this letter, but with a great confidence in the leadership team that has been elected along with the new board members that will be taking office. ISPA is the one resource to depend on through these uncertain times. As questions arise - use your membership and spa professional network to guide you through. And as I've quoted many times from our friend Jim Collins, who spoke at Conference a few years ago, being data-driven is essential. Use the Snapshot Surveys and other benefits from ISPA that are at your fingertips and be sure to recruit other peers to join this association to keep spreading the good word.

Most importantly, I look forward to seeing all of you in D.C. in a couple short months. The early bird deadline is approaching quickly, so take advantage of the ability to save expense and make plans now. I assure you - this is the time when we need to be together and an event not to be missed.

Let's keep talking.

Jean Kolb
ISPA Chairman   

P.S. As always, a special thanks to our folks at our Lexington headquarters. They are razor-focused on ensuring  our 20th Conference is THE very best of all, while serving our members and ensuring ISPA is invaluable. Thanks for being our steady rock on which we can stand strong.