Pulse December 2015 | Page 4

FROM YOUR CHAIRMAN ME! WELCO 2016 ISPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS (Term starting mid-December) race yourself for a confession: I’ve never ELECTED OFFICERS considered myself a performer but, in my CHAIRMAN Michael Tompkins PALM Health heart, I’ve always known that life itself is a performance. When I first thought of VICE CHAIRMAN Todd Shaw The Club at Las Campanas the idea during my morning walk in a nearby St. Louis park, I immediately called ISPA Visionary SECRETARY/TREASURER Laura Parsons ZaSpa at Hotel ZaZa Award recipient Boldijarre Koronczay about dressing up in his iconic fashion style and having impersonators IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Ella Stimpson The Spa at Sea Island dance to the tune of Dirty Dancing’s “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” on the General Session stage. His DIRECTORS Sharilyn Abbajay ISPA Foundation Vice Chairman response? “Michael, I love this, let me help.” It was a crazy idea but we had to do it! Noel Asmar Noel Asmar Group, Inc. When we heard the joy and laughter from the Blake Feeney Feeney & Co. audience, we knew the outside-the-box idea paid off—it helped set the tone of what was to come at this year’s event! And more importantly, we learned to bend our personal feelings, think intuitively to come up with a solution, and trust in each other and in our teams that the outcome would far exceed the risk. No doubt, throughout Conference, joy and laughter were recurring themes. It was evident in every genuine smile from exhibitors who welcomed attendees to their booths, in every friendly tease and laughter while attendees hugged old and new friends, and even in the tears shed as attendees felt moved by the powerful stories told by inspiring speakers like Amy Purdy, Dr. Bertice Berry and Scott Michael Harmsworth ESPA International (US) Ltd. Todd Hewitt Four Seasons Toronto Kristine Huffman Huffman Hospitality Concepts Garrett Mersberger Kohler Co. Julie Oliff St. Regis Aspen Resort Frank Pitsikalis ISPA Foundation Chairman Eric Stephenson Well World Group Harrison. There were so many memorable moments at this year’s ISPA Conference Dawn Tardif BodiScience Wellness Center & Spa & Expo as recapped in this Pulse issue. Todd Walter Red Door Spas But, ultimately, we hope you found Lynne McNees International SPA Association your own memorable moment, one that made you say: “Wow, I just had MEDICAL ADVISOR Brent A. Bauer, MD Mayo Clinic the best time of my life!” Thank you for coming home, for being part of this year’s event, for trusting in each other, sometimes being a bit crazy and learning the powerful sense of community—we owe our “best time of our lives” to each and every one of you! —MICHAEL TOMPKINS, CHAIRMAN 2 PULSE n December 2015 CHAIRMEN’S COUNCIL Past ISPA Chairmen who are current members: Gayle Brady • Brady Spa Consulting Jeff Kohl • Spa & Club Ideations Jean Kolb • Well By Choice John Korpi • Korpi & Korpi Kate Mearns • 5 Spa Consulting LLC Jim Root • Glen Ivy Hot Springs Jane Segerberg • Segerberg Spa Consulting, LLC Deborah Waldvogel • Sedona Resorts