ISPA 35TH ANNIVERSARY

AS ISPA MARKS ITS 35TH ANNIVERSARY, Pulse sat down with a former ISPA Chair to reflect on how a community of like-minded individuals grew into an international industry— and where it’ s headed next.

Pulse: How did the spa community take shape before ISPA’ s founding? Jim Root: Before ISPA, there were no resort spas, no day spas, no Conference— no one even said spa community or spa industry. There were owners who were also operators, individuals sharing a lifestyle who formed a community. The industry grew from there. It grew and it grew and it grew— until today, hotels and resorts are measured by the state of their spas.

Pulse: What makes you most proud of that growth? JR: The global conversation about taking care of ourselves and each other. That’ s a good thing. The growth of options is wonderful; it’ s how we choose to embrace them that matters.

Pulse: Can luxury coexist with the authenticity of spa’ s traditions? JR: As long as spa leaders are true proponents of the lifestyle, authenticity will translate into the operation. Leadership sets the tone— it can’ t just be about numbers. At the end of the day, we’ re still a very high-touch industry in every sense of the word.

Pulse: What balance do you hope the industry strikes next? JR: Industry and community— the two have to coexist. It’ s why they call it a practice— you have to work at it. When we stay grounded in community, everything else follows.

Then-chair Jim Root( center) shares a lighthearted moment with fellow board members during the 2008 ISPA Conference, celebrating the spirit of the spa community.

Pulse: What keeps you optimistic about the years ahead? JR: ISPA is about people, and if we stay people-centered, the future is bright. n

THE NEXT 35 YEARS: LOOKING AHEAD TO 2060“ I hope that in 2060, ISPA Conference attendees will laugh remembering how we once worried that technology would replace therapists. The best augmented reality is still going outside into nature.”

— JIM ROOT

PULSE n DECEMBER 2025 / JANUARY 2026 11