FROM YOUR CHAIRMAN
“ We must not be enemies . Though passion may have strained , it must not break our bonds of affection . The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched , as surely they will be , by the better angels of our nature .”
— PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN ’ S SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS
THE 2020 HOLIDAY SEASON is already upon us , and what a year this has been . I cannot recall a time in my almost 50 years when our nation has been so divided and bruised . I am reminded of Lincoln ’ s second inaugural address , when he urged a nation split by war to seek common ground . He stated ,“ We must not be enemies . Though passion may have strained , it must not break our bonds of affection . The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched , as surely they will be , by the better angels of our nature .”
What do Lincoln ’ s words have to with the spa business , you may ask ? Everything . We are an industry built on the common ground of wellness , an industry that welcomes everyone to its table . When a guest comes into a treatment room , we do not ask their political or religious affiliations . We do not prequalify them based upon their national origins or gender identity . We do not ask their race when they call to book a service . We simply ask ,“ What are we going to focus on in your session ?”
In each of ISPA ’ s recent virtual events , we ’ ve asked guests to share their silver linings — hopeful takeaways from this challenging time . Sometimes , they ’ ve been hard to come by in a year when so many have shed tears , questioned basic truths and wondered what the future holds . But ultimately , I still believe that the work we do can heal a fractured world . Because what we do is build bridges to each person who crosses our thresholds . We find common ground .
And that is my silver lining . That in the midst of rancor , division and a global pandemic , our industry can be a beacon of hope , a shining city on a hill for a world that craves human-to-human connection and the healing experiences our industry is uniquely equipped to provide . Yes , ISPA family , that is my silver lining . And now I want to know : what ’ s yours ?
— PATRICK HUEY , CHAIRMAN
2 PULSE ■ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020
ISPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ELECTED OFFICERS CHAIRMAN
Patrick Huey Montage International
VICE CHAIRMAN
Michelle Adams Somerville Woodstock Inn & Resort
SECRETARY / TREASURER
Kelleye Martin The Edgewater Spa
DIRECTORS
Natasha Burns The NOW Massage
Jill Carlen Seeking new adventure
Brennan Evans Trilogy Spa Holdings
Kristine Huffman Hutchinson Consulting
Lynelle Lynch Bellus Academy
Dawn MacLellan St . Andrews Country Club
Jay Muller Technogym
Frank Pitsikalis Foundation Chairman ResortSuite
Eric Savage Freedom Spa , LLC
Yvonne Smith La Rive Spa at Northern Quest Resort & Casino
Eric Stephenson Elements Massage
Jessica Timberlake Éminence Organic Skin Care
ADVISOR TO THE BOARD Garrett Mersberger
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Todd Shaw
Lynne McNees President International SPA Association
MEDICAL ADVISOR Brent A . Bauer , MD Mayo Clinic