ISPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

RECENTLY , I WAS READING a speech by Mary Bemis of Insider ’ s Guide to Spas , who was chosen by the ISPA Board in 2013 to receive the Dedicated Contributor Award . In her acceptance speech for this esteemed honor that each year recognizes an individual for what they have given to the industry through their dedication , commitment and service , Mary said ,“ Spa , my dear colleagues , is not trivial . Its meaning and mission are ancient and real . Spa gives us back our humanity … to take time to question and reflect — and to be a better person in the world at large .”

We should keep Mary ’ s words in mind as we gather at Conference this month in Las Vegas . We will all be looking for that new product for our businesses . Or that new piece of equipment we finally got approved through CapEx . We will all be with Smiley Poswolsky during a special Pre-Conference gathering to demystify and disentangle the ongoing idiosyncrasies of the spa labor market . We will all be attending the Power Sessions with our three keynote speakers : Neil Pasricha as he talks to us about overcoming barriers ; Erica Dhawan , who is giving us the inside track on reaching the top by giving people more than they expect ; and Ben Nemtin , who reminds us that we can make the impossible possible .

All necessary and good business dealings and lessons , for sure . And … it bears remembering that at the core of our business is the human-to-human connection that is the fuel for all that we do . It ’ s kind of the beauty and the brilliance of the ISPA Conference , that we are not only buying and selling , but we are also communing with one another . That ancient ritual of hugging ( that I ’ m sure we will be doing much of ) literally places us heart-to-heart .

So , I ’ m looking forward to seeing you all there . Wrapping my arms around as many of you as possible and engaging in the ancient rituals that Mary spoke about a decade ago . Rituals that bring us together . Rituals that make the world a better place to be .

ELECTED OFFICERS CHAIR

Patrick Huey We Care Spa

VICE CHAIR

Kelleye Martin Trellis , The Spa at the Houstonian

SECRETARY / TREASURER

Michelle Adams Somerville Woodstock Inn & Resort

DIRECTORS

Taylor Fields PCH Hotels & Resorts

CG Funk Massage Heights Corporate LLC

Jennifer Holzworth Montage International

Dawn MacLellan The Landing Golf & Athletic Club

Barry McCaffrey BABOR

Terry Prager Seed to Skin

Charlotte Prescott Fisher Island Club Spa Internazionale

Kenneth Ryan Marriott International

Eric Savage Freedom Spa , LLC

Foundation Chair Todd Shaw Fountain Life

Jessica Shea Hilton

Jessica Timberlake Jessica L . Timberlake Consulting

Lynne McNees President International SPA Association

— PATRICK HUEY , CHAIR MEDICAL ADVISOR Brent A . Bauer , MD Mayo Clinic

2 PULSE n MAY / JUNE 2023