Pulse May 2021 | Page 61

“ I ’ ve talked to vendor partners where the right hand doesn ’ t seem to be talking to the left ,” said Shea . “ Maybe they have a b2c team and they have a b2b team , and they ’ re not strategizing together . How can they be symbiotic versus competing against each other ?”
Burke Williams has developed — alongside their massage therapists — multiple services that utilize CBD products , and Robert Vance believes that education will be key to its continued adoption .“ I think in many ways [ CBD ] will work like organic products we ’ ve seen in the past , which is , as we leaders and the hands-on people are learning more about CBD , learning more about the efficacy of it , the integrity of its development and the integrity of the companies that are developing it , we will find better and
more interesting ways to utilize that ,” Vance said .“ But I think we ’ ll also rely a great deal on the producers , on these companies , to educate us too .”
Deirdre Strunk agreed , but noted that scientific research , in addition to education will be key to Canyon Ranch ’ s future consideration of CBD . “ Our main concern currently is about how it will affect our team members long term , if they ’ re using it in three and four treatments a day . So we ’ re just really waiting for the science on that ,” she said , adding ,“ I ’ ve used it
and … really feel like there ’ s a benefit , but the staff piece is really important to me and the team .”
Over the last year , the dynamics between resource partners and spas have shifted considerably , as leaders on both sides of the equation strove to find workable solutions to the many challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic . ISPA has worked to connect Conversations like the one held by this panel will continue to be essential to a strong recovery as the industry bounces back throughout 2021 . ■

“ I ’ ve talked to vendor partners where the right hand doesn ’ t seem to be talking to the left ,” said Shea . “ Maybe they have a b2c team and they have a b2b team , and they ’ re not strategizing together . How can they be symbiotic versus competing against each other ?”

— JESSICA SHEA , senior director of spa and wellness operations for Hilton

Deirdre S�unk Robert Vance Pa�ick Huey

“ That relationship and support , to us , is just so important , as well as the efficacy of the products and how products are sourced , if it ’ s a skin care line . And even where the work is being done , if it ’ s a clothing line — those things are really important , as well as having a philanthropic mission to their brand .”
“ A completion of brand is extremely important . What is your story ? What does your packaging look like ? What is your intention ? What are your unique selling points ? What ’ s your sustainability story ? What ’ s your innovation ? What ’ s your growth strategy ? All of these pieces are going to tell your story , and just as importantly , tell our story .”
“ I think it ’ s important that lines have longevity , and if they ’ re not long in the business , that they have the fundamentals that I can see they can grow upon and be here in time . It ’ s very costly to bring a line into a spa , or multiple spas , so you want a line that ’ s going to be there once you ’ re making those financial commitments .”
MAY 2021 ■ PULSE 51