FROM THE CHAIRMAN
ISPA BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
BUSINESSES, LIKE HUMANS, ARE SOCIAL CREATURES: every spa and resource
partner belongs to a local network of businesses, organizations and artisans.
It’s likely that you’re constantly thinking of new ways to grow your brand awareness,
increase your monthly sales and lower some expenses. For myself, engaging with our local
network through partnerships has proven to be an excellent tool for accomplishing all three of
those goals.
As Director of Sales, Marketing & Spa at Blue Harbor Resort & Spa, I work every day to
deepen Blue Harbor’s connection to our Wisconsin community through new, exciting partner-
ships that benefit all involved. We recently partnered with a local winery and had an amazing
“Ladies’ Night Out” event. Like all good partnerships, it was a major success for both parties.
Our beautiful spa was introduced to several new people, while the winery received greater
exposure to a new clientele. Furthermore, the winery covered the costs, and my staff loved the
event because they got to enjoy some extraordinary wine themselves—bonus!
ISPA is also constantly evaluating new, creative ways to partner with other associations
and organizations, with the goal of broadening the impact of our industry worldwide and
enhancing the value of your ISPA membership. Over the past few years, we’ve partnered with
Cosmoprof Worldwide and provided educational content and speakers to their annual
tradeshow in Bologna, Italy, and we are excited to again partner with them in 2020. And we are
so excited for a new partnership with the International Coaching Federation, who will supply
professional coaches offering one-on-one sessions at our inaugural Resource Partner Summit
and Talent Symposium this April.
If you aren’t currently partnering with anyone within your organization, I encourage you
today to think outside of the box. If you’re not sure where to start, read this month’s cover story
on page 34—it may give you some ideas. Once you start reaching out to your local community
for partnerships, you might be surprised by how many businesses are out there waiting for
your call!
—GARRETT MERSBERGER, CHAIRMAN
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MARCH 2020