FROM YOUR CHAIRMAN
“... I am an optimist , always looking for that silver lining . For me , that optimism comes from looking toward ISPA ’ s Conference & Expo , May 10 – 12 , 2021 in Phoenix , Arizona , when we get to release the pause button and shine .”
AS WE OFFICIALLY HEAD INTO FALL , it reminds me of how the season was supposed to start--with the 2020 ISPA Conference & Expo . This month , we were going to take our “ Shine ” to the nation ’ s capital to celebrate 30 years of ISPA and another banner year for our industry , but the unforeseen events of the past seven months caused us all to pause and place those plans on hold .
Here is a little “ inside baseball ” background for you . It takes our ISPA headquarters team years to plan each Conference . Locations must be scouted , contracts agreed to and signed , themes bandied back and forth in board meetings , volunteer committees vetting speakers and relevant keynotes secured for our annual three-day gathering where we celebrate what is best about the industry . In our fast-paced , dynamic Conference , we make deals , embrace old friends and forge human- to-human connections over dinners , mini services and good old dance parties — remember those ? And for now , all of that anticipation and excitement is paused .
So where does that leave us today ? We ’ ve all sung “ Happy Birthday ” thousands of times while washing chafed hands . We know what six feet of space looks like . We are Zoom experts . But I am an optimist , always looking for that silver lining . For me , that optimism comes from looking toward ISPA ’ s Conference and Expo , May 10-12 , 2021 in Phoenix , Arizona , when we get to release the pause button and shine . ( And even see one another in person after months of virtual connections . Imagine that !)
So , while we are in the midst of carving out budgets for 2021 , let ’ s all make the commitment to come release that pause button together . We are diligently working on a fantastic education and speaker lineup for 2021 . Our resource partners are preparing to welcome you to the Expo Floor with so much that is new . Fall 2020 is a hopeful season ! Because , you see , the beauty of fall is the promise of the spring .
ISPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ELECTED OFFICERS CHAIRMAN
Patrick Huey Montage International
VICE CHAIRMAN
Michelle Adams Somerville Woodstock Inn & Resort
SECRETARY / TREASURER
Kelleye Martin The Edgewater Spa
DIRECTORS
Natasha Burns Seeking new adventure
Jill Carlen Seeking new adventure
Brennan Evans Trilogy Spa Holdings
Kristine Huffman Hutchinson Consulting
Lynelle Lynch Bellus Academy
Dawn MacLellan St . Andrews Country Club
Jay Muller Technogym
Frank Pitsikalis Foundation Chairman ResortSuite
Eric Savage Freedom Spa , LLC
Yvonne Smith La Rive Spa at Northern Quest Resort & Casino
Eric Stephenson Elements Massage
Jessica Timberlake Éminence Organic Skin Care
ADVISOR TO THE BOARD Garrett Mersberger
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Todd Shaw
2 PULSE ■ OCTOBER 2020
— PATRICK HUEY , CHAIRMAN
Lynne McNees President International SPA Association
MEDICAL ADVISOR Brent A . Bauer , MD Mayo Clinic