2026 ISPA CONFERENCE RECAP
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3 Sales as service, not pressure A recurring theme was the need to reframe“ selling” as enhancing the guest experience. When teams confidently connect services and products to wellness goals, both satisfaction and revenue increase.
Call to Action: Train teams on recommendation psychology— focusing on authenticity and guest outcomes rather than scripts.
4 Culture is the ultimate differentiator From“ Collective Lift” to creating a culture of“ mattering,” sessions emphasized that team performance and retention are driven by leadership behaviors, not just KPIs. High-performing spas build environments where employees feel seen, valued and essential.
Call to Action: Implement one daily leadership practice— such as recognition or personalized feedback— to strengthen team engagement.
5 Designing transformational experiences Top-performing spas are moving beyond relaxation to measurable transformation, using sensory design, personalization and intentional programming to deepen guest impact.
Call to Action: Map your guest journey and identify one moment where you can elevate emotional or sensory engagement. n
More education on demand— on iLearn
ABOUT NEXT YEAR …
WANT TO SUGGEST SPEAKERS OR TOPICS for the 2027 Conference? Or would you like to express interest in serving as a session presenter? Find more information at experienceispa. com / speaker-applications.
DURING THE POWER SESSION ON DAY TWO, ISPA Chair Kenneth Ryan announced three 2026 ISPA Conference Education Session presenters are creating new courses for iLearn— and that these resources are included in ISPA membership with no additional fees. Watch for iLearn courses from: l Dan Gingiss l Zach Mercurio l Carol Phillips
EDUCATION SESSIONS SPONSOR
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