Honoring industry leadership The ISPA Big Three Awards were also discussed, with the board approving the 2027 ISPA Visionary Award and 2027 ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award honorees.
Watch for profiles of the award recipients closer to presentation of the awards. These selections reflect the board’ s continued focus on recognizing leaders whose contributions have meaningfully advanced the spa and wellness industry.
Volunteer groups bring member insight forward Volunteer group engagement was another key area of discussion. Board liaisons shared updates from the first meetings of the new term for ISPA Collaborate, the Resource Partner Task Force and ISPA Ambassadors.
Common themes included technology, personalization, medical and wellness services, resource partner engagement and opportunities to continue connecting members in meaningful ways beyond the annual Conference.
These conversations offered valuable insight into what spa leaders and resource partners are navigating in real time. They also reinforced the role of ISPA’ s volunteer groups
Miraval Gong Entrance as important listening channels and idea-generating spaces for the association.
Research, education and member value The ISPA Research Foundation report highlighted continued momentum around the Science Says Consumer Playbook, the upcoming 2026 ISPA U. S. Spa Industry Study and expanded iLearn offerings supported by the foundation.
Board members discussed opportunities to further leverage Foundation-funded education to increase the value of ISPA membership and support year-round professional development for spa leaders and teams.
The conversation emphasized the importance of turning research into practical resources members can use to guide decisions, train teams and better understand consumer behavior.
Strategy with purpose The meeting also included broader strategic conversations around the annual Conference, resource partner engagement, potential future education formats and the use of AI to better support exhibitors and sponsors.
Across these discussions, the board emphasized the importance of protecting the ISPA Conference experience, supporting members and ensuring ISPA continues to lead with thoughtful, data-informed resources for the industry.
VOLUNTEER VOICES
Early conversations among ISPA volunteer groups surfaced several themes likely to shape member needs in the year ahead: l
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Technology: Members are exploring how to use new tools responsibly and efficiently. Personalization: Spa leaders are looking for better ways to tailor service, communication and guest experiences. Wellness evolution: Medical, wellness and recovery services continue to influence spa business models. Resource Partner connection: Stronger collaboration remains a priority across the ISPA community. Year-round engagement: Members continue to seek meaningful connection beyond the annual Conference.
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