Pulse October 2017 | Page 70

ISPA FouNdAtIoN FouNdAtIoN he spa industry is continuously moving and growing, and as professionals, it’s our goal to IGNITE change within our business and practices to support that growth. Our industry is currently witnessing a unique juncture where we are experi- encing fewer individuals entering and staying in spa careers. In fact, research has shown that more than 40,000 job openings remain vacant because of lack of interest and/or targeted messaging about the value of working in the spa and wellness industry. T Therefore, the ISPA Foundation and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) will be launching a compre- hensive workforce development research initiative at the 2017 ISPA Conference & Expo. This research instrument will focus on recruitment, retention and engagement and will include both spa directors/managers and service providers to ensure a broad perspective of the workforce climate is represented. Are you excited to hear Peyton Manning’s keynote presentation at the ISPA Conference & Expo? Be sure to visit the Auction to bid on a signed football he graciously donated to the ISPA Foundation. As the educational and research arm of ISPA, it is the mission of the ISPA Foundation to improve and enhance the 2017 ISPA FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS CHAIRMAN Frank Pitsikalis ResortSuite VICE CHAIRMAN Sharilyn Abbajay Abbajay & Associates, LLC DIRECTORS Todd Shaw ISPA Chairman Todd Hewitt ISPA Vice Chairman Lynne McNees ISPA President value of the spa experience by funding initiatives such as this, which will advance the welfare of the industry. To help support this valuable research, the ISPA Foundation has partnered with Beauty Changes Lives to launch a recruitment campaign that will help spread awareness of the value of working in our amazing profession. The goal is to elevate and celebrate professional careers in the beauty and spa industry while also highlighting the MEDICAL ADVISOR Brent Bauer, M.D. Mayo Clinic HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS Ruth Stricker The Marsh, A Center for Balance and Fitness Deborah Szekely WELLNESS WARRIOR increased job demand. In turn, it is our hope that the industry will see an increase in students enrolling in spa-related careers. ISPA and the ISPA Foundation are thrilled to spearhead this project with the help of PwC and Ruth Stricker tunity to build on these initiatives to ensure our future BENEFACTOR world the many powerful reasons to work in our amazing industry. —FrANK PItSIKALIS, ISPA FouNdAtIoN CHAIrMAN PULSE ■ October 2017 LUMINARY Beauty Changes Lives. Our industry has the oppor- success. Together we can IGNITE change and share with the 68 The ISPA Foundation wishes to thank the following supporters for their generous contributions: Dr. Howard Murad PATRON Red Door Spas ResortSuite