FROM THE CHAIRMAN
ISPA BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
IT’S HARD FOR ME TO BELEIVE, but my time on the ISPA Board of Directors,
and as ISPA Chairman, has come to an end. In fact, my career in spa has come to an end—
at least for now.
Like so many of you in the spa industry, I was laid off from my position at Blue Harbor
Resort & Spa in late June due to the pandemic. While it is all too easy to slip into a tailspin
when something like this happens, I strongly
believe that when God closes one door, he will
always open another. For me, that door happens
to be outside of the spa industry completely. My
wife and I are buying a family furniture business
that was started by my grandfather nearly 50
years ago, making me the third generation to run
it. I am saddened to leave this amazing industry and so many incredible friends and
colleagues, but I’m leaving with great memories and a ‘full tank.’ I am excited for my
next chapter and the opportunity to walk in my grandparents’ footsteps and continue
their legacy!
I want to personally thank the ISPA staff, the ISPA Board of Directors and all of you out
there who have supported both ISPA and myself over these past six years. I’ve learned so
much from all of you and promise to apply those learnings and best practices in this next
endeavor. The ISPA Board of Directors will elect a new Chairman in early August, and I plan
to help and guide them just as so many in this industry have helped and guided me.
As I close my last column in Pulse, I want to encourage all of you out there—no matter
where you are at in life—to stay strong, stay positive and keep the faith. This is an
extraordinary and difficult time, but ISPA is a family like no other family I have seen
before. Together, we will all get through this. Love to all!
“I am excited for my
next chapter and the
opportunity to walk in my
grandparents’ footsteps
and continue their legacy!”
2 PULSE ■ AUGUST 2020
—GARRETT MERSBERGER, CHAIRMAN