ISPA FOUNDATION
FOUNDATION
ADAPTABLE . FLEXIBLE . INNOVATIVE .
For about a year now , words like these have defined our industry as spas and resource partners have dug deep and exercised their creativity to keep their spas and businesses safe , keep providing treatments to guests and simply keep the lights on .
The ISPA Foundation has , of course , had to remain flexible as well . After the 2020 ISPA Conference & Expo was initially postponed last year , we organized a virtual holiday auction , which raised more than $ 20,000 to support ISPA ’ s research and other initiatives . Then , we worked with our partners at PricewaterhouseCoopers to adapt the 2021 ISPA U . S . Industry Study to reflect the pandemic ’ s impact on our industry and gather the critical , relevant data our members need now more than ever . The support of our donors and bidders was crucial to those vital efforts .
Now that ISPA has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 ISPA Conference & Expo , it ’ s necessary that we continue to respond with flexibility . In part , that means using Handbid ( the same user-friendly platform we used for the holiday auction ) to conduct a virtual auction in the lead up to ISPA ’ s recently announced Stronger Together Summit . As I ’ ve mentioned here before , the ISPA Foundation Live and Silent Auction typically held at each year ’ s Conference is the single biggest piece of our funding puzzle . Once again , your support will help put the Foundation in position to continue providing key research and educational support to ISPA members as we navigate what we all hope will be the pandemic ’ s swift end .
One simple way to provide that support is to pledge a donation to the ISPA Foundation Virtual Auction . Of course , we love being able to auction off those big-ticket items such as trips and experience packages , but every donation , no matter how small or large , makes a difference . The auction donation site is live now , and donations will be accepted through Friday , May 7 . All donors will be listed both on the auction site and in the Auction ’ s online catalog , guaranteeing maximum exposure for your brand and your donation to ISPA bidders .
To start your auction donation and learn more about the process , please visit experienceispa . com / events / stronger-together-summit and click the ISPA Foundation Spring Auction tile .
ISPA FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS CHAIRMAN Frank Pitsikalis ResortSuite
DIRECTORS Patrick Huey ISPA Chairman Michelle Adams Somerville ISPA Vice Chairman Lynne McNees ISPA President
ADVISOR TO THE BOARD Garrett Mersberger
ISPA MEDICAL ADVISOR Brent Bauer , M . D . Mayo Clinic
HONORARY FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBER Deborah Szekely Rancho La Puerta
FUNDRAISING ADVISORS Lynelle Lynch Yvonne Smith
Donations of all sizes make a difference . Visit experienceispa . com / about / ispa-foundation to show your support .
— FRANK PITSIKALIS , ISPA FOUNDATION PRESIDENT
54 PULSE ■ MARCH 2021