focus on the foundation
focus on the foundation
International SPA Association Foundation
PHOTO © MARK ASHLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
The wait is almost over. The 2011 ISPA Conference & Expo is only a few short months away. This also means that one of my favorite parts of Conference is almost here as well – the Foundation Auction. If you’ ve never experienced the Auction, you’ ll soon get to be a part of a fun evening of laughter, networking and a little friendly competition. As many of you know, I’ m pretty competitive, so I enjoy getting in on the bidding action.
Even those of you who have attended the Auction before are in for a few surprises this year. The biggest change for 2011 is that the Auction will be located on the Expo floor. As the center of lots of the Conference action, the Expo floor is the perfect place to bring even more excitement and traffic to the Auction. You can shop for your spa by visiting the exhibitor booths and shop for yourself or friends by perusing the Auction items – all in the same place.
In addition to the location change, the Auction itself will take place simultaneously with the Expo on Tuesday evening. The Expo hours for Tuesday have been extended to 6:30 p. m., so you can enjoy the Auction and visit exhibitors at the same time.
Being environmentally conscious is important and in order to be more environmentally friendly, there will be no printed Auction catalog this year. We will save a tremendous amount of paper and continue to promote all of the items on the Web site. You can visit ispa2011. com to start contemplating your shopping list – and also make your donation.
Lawrence Biscontini will be back again as our auctioneer. I’ ve heard he’ s already hard at work on ways to make this year’ s event even more memorable. The 2011 Auction will also feature some exciting destination packages which include spa treatments, lodging and other fun activities within each destination’ s local community. Trust me, these packages are amazing, and I can already see a bidding war erupting.
Don’ t forget that for the first time, money raised will help make a consumer research study a reality. This is something many of you want, so be sure to donate and help out the cause. The more items we have, the more money we can raise, and the more education opportunities that can be provided. It ' s an investment in yourself and the industry.
— JEFF KOHL, ISPA FOUNDATION PRESIDENT
2011 ISPA Foundation Board of Directors
OFFICERS
President Jeff Kohl Precor Inc.
Vice President Cathy Cluff Oaks at Ojai
Secretary Sharilyn Abbajay Marriott International
Treasurer Calvin Martin, CPA, CIC, CRM Calvin Martin & Co., PLLC
DIRECTORS
Lynne McNees ISPA President
Deborah Waldvogel Sedona Resorts
Jennifer Wayland-Smith Golden Door Spa at The Boulders
Ruth Stricker The Marsh, a Center for Balance and Fitness
MEDICAL ADVISOR
Dr. Brent Bauer, M. D. Mayo Clinic
HONORARY BOARD MEMBER
Deborah Szekely Rancho La Puerta
Have you sent out your Auction donations already? DONATE NOW. The earlier you donate, the more exposure your item( s) receive. Donate online at ispa2011. com. Be sure to check out the entire online catalog of items while you’ re at it.
80 PULSE ■ August 2011