Pulse Legacy Archive December 2011 | Page 55

focus on the foundation PHOTO © MARK ASHLEY PHOTOGRAPHY International SPA Association Foundation I hope all of you enjoyed this year’s Conference as much as I did. There was so much positive energy throughout the event from the Auction to the General Sessions and the sold-out Expo floor. It was an amazing three days for me and I hope you had a similar experience. One of the highlights for me was the fact that the ISPA Foundation was able to announce the release of the first piece of the Spa Consumer Snapshot Initiative. Look for more information on the release this month in Touch Points. Each piece of the Spa Consumer Snapshot Initiative will help us better understand the behaviors, motivations and attitudes of consumers regarding the spa industry. This information will help all of us develop strategies and ideas to grow our businesses and grow the industry as a whole. At Conference, Colin McIlheney, global research director with PricewaterhouseCoopers, discussed what topics the December report would include. If you missed this presentation, here are a few pieces of information you’ll find when you look at the report: Reasons why spa-goers visited spas. Reasons why others chose not to spa. What would entice non-spa-goers to spa. A profile of the average spa-goer. Frequency of spa visits. As you can see, even though each piece of the initiative is a “snapshot,” there is a robust amount of information to be found. The next piece of the initiative will be available in the spring of 2012. Of course, none of this would be possible without the generosity of benefactors. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our newest donor – Global Spa Summit/SpaFinder. This generosity will help ensure the consumer initiative and other Foundation educational programs continue. Thanks again to all of our donors for making a difference for the association. For a list of these donors, visit the ISPA Foundation area of experienceispa.com. While I’m on the subject of generosity, I just wanted to briefly touch upon the amazing generosity shown at the 2011 Live and Silent Auctions. I’ll provide full details on the Auction in the January/February Conference wrap-up edition of Pulse, but for now I’m happy to say the Live & Silent Auctions were a major success! All of this, from the Conference experience to the success of the Auctions and the continued generosity of ISPA members, is proof-positive we are all part of an amazing industry. We truly are a family and together we can achieve anything. Let’s continue to grow together 2012 ISPA Foundation Board of Directors OFFICERS President Jeff Kohl Red Door Spas Vice President Sharilyn Abbajay Marriott International Secretary/Treasurer Calvin Martin Calvin Martin & Co., PLLC DIRECTORS Ruth Stricker The Marsh, a Center for Balance and Fitness Ella Stimpson ISPA Chairman Wynn and Encore Las Vegas Lynne McNees ISPA President Michael Tompkins ISPA Vice Chairman Miraval Resort & Spa MEDICAL ADVISOR Dr. Brent Bauer, M.D. Mayo Clinic HONORARY BOARD MEMBER Deborah Szekely Rancho La Puerta —JEFF KOHL, ISPA FOUNDATION PRESIDENT From $10 to $10,000, any and every amount helps the ISPA Foundation continue its education initiatives—give today by visiting experienceispa.com. December 2011 ■ PULSE 53