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2009 International SPA Association Spa Trends

From customizing your style, to customizing your car - we all want services tailor made to our busy lifestyles. This is why, as the voice of the spa industry, the International SPA Association is forecasting customization as one of the hottest trends of 2009.

“In this economy, people are watching their money, plain and simple. Spa professionals are listening to the needs of customers and creating specialized treatments. Whether it’s a 30-minute pick-me-up massage on a lunch hour, or soothing those worked-to-the-bone Wi-Fi fingers, it’s all about meeting the demands of consumers,” says ISPA President Lynne McNees.

– Customized Treatments: In addition to 30-minute facials and massages, spas are listening to the demands and desires of their customers. So whether you’re looking to combine a series of treatments or have one tailored to fit your needs (i.e., Wi-Fi massage), talk to your spa about how it can best fit into your lifestyle.

– Mind, Body & Spirit: Consumers are looking to spas to recharge not only their body, but their spirit and mind as well. Many spas are increasing self-discovery services like ropes courses, art classes and other learning activities that help consumers to stop, be still and focus on themselves.

– Family-friendly Resort Spas: In an era where we’re all moving at warp speed, more and more people are looking for spas that cater to families. These spas are responding to the need for families to communicate and spend time together, whether it’s flying through the air on a trapeze or attending family yoga.

– Organic Spas: More spas than ever before are offering environmentally friendly products and services, but that’s not all. Many feature outdoor treatments and eco-friendly facilities, as well as treatments that highlight indigenous plants and the environment in which the spa is located (i.e., seashell body treatment and blueberry body wrap).

– Spa Credits: In this economy, the smart traveler is the one who de-stresses at the hotel spa after a long flight. Hotels are looking to entice travelers and increase bookings by offering free treatments or spa credits when booking a room.

– Spa Memberships: Similar to a gym membership, it allows spa-goers to experience spas at a lower cost. A 12-month membership could include unlimited use of the facility, a treatment a month and discounts on additional monthly services.

– Half-day Spa Vacations: With people watching every penny, many are canceling their expensive vacations and instead turning to spas. Transform your morning or afternoon into a full-blown escape with a massage, facial and pedicure.

– Dental Spas: Your annual cleaning just got more relaxing. The American Dental Association says about 50 percent of U.S. dentists are providing spa amenities at no additional charge. With hand massages, paraffin wax dips and reflexology, you’ll never dread the drill again.

– Tried & True: Consumers are moving away from the trendy and seeking treatments with proven and tangible results. They’re getting back to basics, focusing on core spa services like deep tissue massage and clarifying facials.

– Increased Spa Amenities: Turn a 60-minute service into an entire afternoon of rejuvenation by taking advantage of the spa’s amenities. After your hot stone massage, take a plunge in the pool, sit in the sauna or cool down in an ice room; today’s spas encourage loitering.

ISPA represents 3,200 members, both spas and product companies, in 83 countries

ISPA, Spa Trends

Grove Park Inn spa director named to international board Jaime Huffman, executive director of the spa at the Grove Park Inn, has been elected to the serve on the International SPA Association Board of Directors.

Huffman will begin her term in November during the 18th annual ISPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Huffman was selected for the ISPA Board of Directors following an extensive interview process. Founded in 1991, ISPA’s membership is comprised of more than 3,200 health and wellness facilities and providers from 80 countries. ISPA is recognized worldwide as the leading professional organization and voice of the spa industry.

Currently Executive Spa Director and member of the Senior Operations Team at The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa, Huffman has been a member of ISPA since 2001 and was a contributing member of ISPA’s Spa Textbook Committee.

Craig Madison, President and CEO of the resort, said, “Since joining the resort in January of 2001 to assist in opening our $50-million, 43,000-square-foot subterranean spa, Jaime has led her staff to achieve a ranking of No. 5 in the US and No. 13 in the world of top resort spas. We continue to be very proud of Jaime and her team.”

Huffman holds a Master’s degree in Health Policy and Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a B.S. degree in Psychology/Health Behavior from Appalachian State University, and certifications in programs at Cornell and the University Of Chicago School Of Business. She serves on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork and is a member of the International Resort Managers Association and several community organizations. A sought-after advisor, teacher, writer, and speaker in the hospitality industry, she is currently writing a text on the business spa.

ISPA, NC Spas

Spa Industry Perseveres Through Tough Economy

Members of the International SPA Association are withstanding the current economic climate, according to a recent survey of ISPA members conducted by the association.
Contrary to the current economic struggles many industries are facing, members of ISPA have proven that their businesses are stable as people are seeking out a place to de-stress and relax in these uncertain times.

Survey Results:

Change in Spa Visits: 40 percent of ISPA member spas say that spa visits are up while 11 percent report no change in the number of visits their spa receives.
Revenue Change: 48 percent have seen an increase in their gross revenue while 10 percent have not had any change.
Profit Change: 47 percent say that profits are up compared to last year, and 18 percent report having experienced no change in their profit.

Another study conducted by ISPA found that the average annual visits per spa that ISPA members experienced came in at 16,900 versus 6,900 visits for nonmembers. More visits equals more business and revenue for ISPA members; it literally pays to be a member as they make an average of $175 in revenue per visit while nonmembers only garner $121.

“We had been hearing from our members that visits were steady and this survey confirms those reports,” said ISPA President Lynne McNees. “We are proud to report that our members are seeing steady growth in the number of visits and revenue their spas are receiving. With the increased stress resulting from the state of the economy, it is important to take time out and care for yourself. In fact, reducing and relieving stress is the number one reason that people go to spas. We will be directly addressing the economy at the annual ISPA Conference & Expo, held Nov. 10-13 in Las Vegas, to provide the spa community with the education it needs to continue on this upward path. ”

When members were asked about actions they are taking to increase revenue, responses focused on training, education and creative marketing. Many spas are investing in their employees training and education to provide a better client experience and build loyal relationships that result in less turnover. Spas are creating new promotions and forming community partnerships to identify cost-effective promotions.

About the International SPA Association | ISPA is recognized worldwide as the leading professional organization and voice of the spa industry. Founded in 1991, ISPA advances the spa industry by providing invaluable educational and networking opportunities, promoting the value of the spa experience and speaking as the authoritative voice to foster professionalism and growth.

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It’s not often that you have the opportunity to influence consumers’ perception of our entire industry. However, the two funding opportunities provided by the ISPA Foundation can give you, or someone you know, the chance to do just that. The application deadline for the Ruth Stricker Spa & Wellness Award and the Dr. Howard Murad Research Grant is quickly approaching, and we don’t want you to miss out on this rare chance to conduct research that affects our world of wellness.

DR. HOWARD MURAD RESEARCH GRANT
Provides funding to explore cultural stress and its effects on our culture

The $1,500 USD grant provides financial assistance to those conducting research that addresses cultural stress, its effects and ways to manage it. The grant will be used to research the following topics related to cultural stress:
. Technology overload
. Overworking and lack of purposeful work
. Inadequate nutrition
. Isolation from friends
. Stress occurring in people of all ages

Interested candidates may review terms and conditions for the grant and apply online by June 16 at www.experienceispa.com.

RUTH STRICKER SPA & WELLNESS AWARD
Provides funding to explore the ways that spa can enhance wellness

The $2,500 USD award will support a project that demonstrates a unique or unrecognized benefit of spa in promoting wellness. While all proposals will be considered, those focusing on the following areas will be given special consideration:
. Aging
. Techno Stress
. Chronic illness
. Lost/loneliness

Interested candidates may review terms and conditions for the grant and apply online by June 16 at www.experienceispa.com.

ISPA, Spa Industry Grant

International Spa Association (ISPA) chair Jim Root has been appointed president of the Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa in Corona, California, US.

Root will be responsible for the operations of the company’s four locations, which include the original hot springs spa and three day spas.

With more than 30 years’ experience within the industry, Root most recently served as general manager of spa operations at Sea Island Resorts in Georgia, US.

The company’s founder, John Gray, who previously occupied Root’s position, is to step back from day-to-day operations to focus more on the company’s business development.

ISPA, Spa Professionals

This article is brought to you by Spavelous.com.

Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity that will enable you to nurture the community of your peers?

Or maybe you are searching for a service role in which you can address current issues as well as chart a course for the future?

If so, serving on the ISPA Board of Directors could be your calling. We will start accepting applications March 3, so this is your time to decide if this open opportunity is for you.

Board members are elected to three-year terms, and all ISPA primary and secondary members in good standing are eligible to apply. You can check online to learn more about the responsibilities and commitments of a board member or to reacquaint yourself with the current ISPA Board of Directors.

For a closer look at the 2008 board, take some time to read “At Your Service,” in the March/April issue of Pulse. This enlightening article will give you a more thorough understanding of what it’s like to serve on the board.

The application for the 2009 ISPA Board of Directors will be available online through Wednesday, April 2. To apply, simply visit experienceispa.com. Under My Account, navigate to About ISPA, and click on the Board of Directors tab where you will find the board application form. Following the deadline, the Nominations Committee will review all applications and schedule interviews.

If serving on the ISPA Board of Directors is something you’ve been considering, now is the time to commit your experience and passion to a worthy cause and help create a promising future for the next generation of spa industry professionals. Please let us know if we can answer any questions by contacting us at 1.888.651.4772 or ispa@ispastaff.com.

Spa regards,

Jean Kolb and Charles Mizelle

ISPA Nominations Committee Co-Chairs

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Spas in Albany NY / Find a Spa in NY /  Spas In New York

More spas and salons are opening in Albany NY’s Capital Region, reflecting a national trend, as the popularity of the services extends beyond the wealthy. Fusion Spa in Slingerlands NY, a medical day spa, just opened in June, Stiletto Salon opened in Albany NY late 2006, and Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness is expanding to a new location, to name a few.

The savvy business owners who did their homework realized where the trends in personal enhancement were headed. In 1989, three years after moving his 17-year-old hair salon business, Jean Paul Salon, to Stuyvesant Plaza, Jean Claude Simille opened a second location in the same plaza, which he built into a day spa business. He thought that more and more of his clientele were looking to be able to have all services performed under one roof.

According to a report by the International SPA Association (ISPA), the number of spas is growing. From 2003 to 2006, the number of U.S. spas, with day spas predominating, grew from 12,100 to 14,600.

Meanwhile, nationally, there was a drop from 136 million spa visits in 2003 to 111 million in 2006, with a decrease in revenue from $11.2 billion to $9.4 billion, according to the ISPA. The association reported that the industry is in better shape than last year: Even with a revenue decline, the revenue from spa visits, and profit margins, have increased.

New York Spas , / Albany NY Day Spas

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ISPA, Spa, Spa Business, Spa Opening

The International SPA Association on Jan. 11 issued their Spa Industry Trend Watch for 2008, saying that the as the spa industry has become engrained into everyday culture, many spa trends have extended their stay and moved into full-blown tradition.

“Savvy spa-goers are shaping the trends. Spa professionals want to create the best experience possible, so it’s a ‘buyers’ market’ for consumers who express their wants and needs,” said ISPA President Lynne McNees. “The spa lifestyle is in fashion, though it’s also timeless. As a leading leisure industry, spas have the staying power similar to that of cruise lines, skiing and golf.”

Compiled through comprehensive research and daily communication with a vast network of more than 3,000 members in 75 countries, ISPA releases the following Spa Industry Trend Watch:

* Plenty of Cooks in the Kitchen—You’d be hard-pressed to find a better combination than spa treatments and delicious, healthy food. In fact, 19 percent of U.S. spas offer cooking experiences running the gamut from week-long schools with celebrity chefs to private lessons with tips on taking the healthy cooking experience home.

* Spa Lifestyles Equal Healthy Lifestyles—Eating nutritious food, exercising and relieving stress are critical in leading a healthy lifestyle, and spas are championing this effort by teaching these basic principles. In fact, 51 percent of U.S. spas offer educational programs and nutritional consultations, 40 percent offer healthy eating classes, 26 percent have educational offerings on obesity or weight gain issues and 17 percent offer exercise programs for children and teens.

* The Next Generation of Spa-goer —Nearly 4 million teenagers have been to a spa where they learn how to deal with stress, eat nutritiously and care for their skin. With 16 percent of spas offering teen programs, 34 percent offering teen packages and 17 percent offering packages for children, Millennials will never have to worry about a bad MySpace picture.

* Corporate Wellness—Google was selected as Fortune’s No. 1 company to work for in 2007. Google is also a member of ISPA and offers on-site massages to its employees. According to the American Journal of Health Promotions, for every $1 spent on wellness programs, employers can expect a return of up to $10 through lower medical claims, reduced absenteeism, improved productivity and other factors. “A spa experience is the perfect way for employers to show their team that they care about their health and well-being,” added McNees.

* High Touch and High Tech—In our constantly-connected society, in order for some people to take a time out, they still need to be plugged in. Spas are incorporating technology such as Wi-Fi in relaxation rooms, cyber treatments that combine biofeedback technology with guidance from wellness professionals and light therapy to help those suffering from depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder and insomnia.

* Customized Relaxation—You can make almost anything your “own” today from custom workouts built into your Nikes, fragrances blended to suit your nose or a zenned-out playlist on your iPod. Spas are creating unique experiences for their guests as well, with 24 percent indicating that clients can book blocks of time instead of specific services. This time block allows them to create a treatment that is all their own from the music to the products to the room temperature.

* Luxury Brands Opening Luxury Spas—Brands that are known for their chic designs are opening over-the-top spas around the world. Some of the well-known brands include the first Armani-branded spa in Tokyo, Versace Group’s spa at its Australian resort, spas at Bulgari’s hotels in Milan and Bali, and Prada Beauty’s line exclusively at Ritz-Carlton properties.

* Greening Grows—As 76 percent of U.S. spas apply environmentally sustainable practices, the spa community’s commitment to the environment is not a passing phase. On-site organic gardens; products made from locally-grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and plants; mineral makeup; and green building tactics are just a few of the ways that spa professionals are showing their commitment to the earth.

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Green Spa, ISPA

Best Spa Locator / Anti Aging / Find a Med Spa / Facials

New industry research released by the International SPA Association (ISPA) reveals interesting facts about the North American spa industry.

The newest installment of the International SPA Association’s industry research shows a viable and healthy North American spa industry. Conducted by long-standing ISPA partner Association Resource Centre Inc., the study offers the newest statistics on revenues, number of spas, visits, employment and square footage.

“This fifth edition of ISPA’s Spa Industry Study shows that our industry is on solid footing and continues to evolve based on consumers’ wants and needs,” said ISPA President Lynne McNees. “We are honored to present to spa professionals, investors, and the media this important resource that shows the health of the industry and enhances its standing as a viable business.”

Association Resource Centre partner of research & strategy, Geoff Thacker, added, “Of the five industry studies, this has been by far the most interesting to work on.  After years of the spa industry being ‘the new kid on the block,’ it was refreshing to see figures demonstrating the natural evolution of a strong and healthy industry.” Core team members from the Association Resource Centre, including Thacker, have played lead roles in all of ISPA’s North American industry research since the inaugural study in 2000.

Key findings from the 2007 Spa Industry Study include:

• Locations—There are an estimated 14,600 spa locations in the United States.  Day spas are the largest segment.

• Spa visits—There were approximately 111 million spa visits made in the United States in 2006.  Day spas receive the majority of visits.

• Revenues—In 2006, the U.S. spa industry generated $9.4 billion in gross revenue.  As day spas receive the most visits, it makes sense that they also generate the most revenue.

• Spa Employment—The U.S. spa industry employs an estimated 232,700 people.

• Square Footage—Spas in the United States occupy 56 million square feet of indoor space.

• Pricing—The average price of a spa treatment in the United States is $79.

• Seventy-six percent of U.S. spas apply environmentally sustainable practices.

• Of the 70% of U.S. spas that offer packages, the most commonly offered are those for men, couples, pregnant women and teens.

• The leading education programs and workshops offered by U.S. spas include those focused on nutrition, healthy eating and stress management.

The ISPA 2007 Spa Industry Study is available for purchase from the association.  Special rates are offered to ISPA members.

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ISPA, Spa Business, Spa Professionals