FROM YOUR
CHAIRMAN
2016
ISPA BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
ELECTED OFFICERS
CHAIRMAN
Michael Tompkins
PALM Health
It’s a small
world, after all.
VICE CHAIRMAN
Todd Shaw
La Quinta Resort & Club
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Laura Parsons
ESPA International (US) Ltd.
During an official trip with ISPA President Lynne
McNees to represent ISPA at the PROMED Conference
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN
Ella Stimpson
The Spa at Sea Island
in Costa Rica, I can’t help but be reminded of this ageold truth.
DIRECTORS
Sharilyn Abbajay
ISPA Foundation Vice Chairman
Connecting with other leaders in the global health
and wellness industry and hearing some of the
Noel Asmar
Noel Asmar Group, Inc.
challenges they face as they continue to strive to move
Blake Feeney
Feeney & Co.
the needle and push the industry forward, I realize the
vast opportunities for ISPA to support and grow our
Michael Harmsworth
ESPA International (US) Ltd.
international partners.
Today, more than ever, we need to break down cultural barriers that divide us and open
our community to collaborative partners from different parts of the world in order to embrace
diversity of ideas that could spark new resources and ways of thinking for the spa industry.
One great benefit I see is access to spa products and solutions by international resource
partners that have yet to bring their products to the U.S. market due to a lack of distribution
channel. By opening our doors to international partners, we mutually ensure the sustainable
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
growth of a global spa industry.
The sharing of knowledge is another big reason to think global. While at Costa Rica for
the event, I learned a thing or two about Costa Rican culture from the warm hospitality of
the spa employees themselves, understood how thermal water is a big part of the Costa
Rican spa experience and discovered that there is an actual “cloud forest” much like a
rainforest. Fascinating, indeed!
If we are to truly embrace the New Year as an opportunity to start new beginnings, let us
start with this. Let us build a spa community not restricted by borders—whether that’s
geographic, cultural or one that exists only in our heads. We may live in a small world, but
Eric Stephenson
Well World Group
Dawn Tardif
BodiScience Wellness Center & Spa
Todd Walter
Red Door Spas
Lynne McNees
International SPA Association
MEDICAL ADVISOR
Brent A. Bauer, MD
Mayo Clinic
we are all bound to leave a big footprint if we choose to make a difference.
CHAIRMEN’S COUNCIL
Past ISPA Chairmen who
are current members:
—MICHAEL TOMPKINS, CHAIRMAN
2 PULSE
■
January/February 2016
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