Pulse September 2021 | Page 58

ISPA FOUNDATION
I RECENTLY HAD THE PRIVILEGE of moderating a pre-launch virtual webinar for the 2021 ISPA U . S . Industry Study . At this event , the ISPA community was treated to an in-depth discussion and evaluation of the study ’ s full findings , courtesy of our old friends Colin McIlheney and Russell Donaldson of renowned research firm PricewaterhouseCoopers . Getting to share a virtual stage with Colin and Russell made me realize once again just how much I ’ ve missed the opportunity to engage with all of you in person .
But as I listened to Colin and Russell break down the study and watched as questions and comments rolled in from attendees , I was also reminded of the sheer scope of ISPA ’ s efforts to support the spa industry during the pandemic . Between virtual education sessions , town halls , consumer research , the award-winning ISPA Reopening Toolkit and the Stronger Together Summit , the team at ISPA has spent much of the last year collecting feedback and building resources intended to meet the real-time needs of spas and resource partners alike .
It isn ’ t often that you ’ ll hear ISPA toot its own horn , but with everything that the industry has been through in the past year , we can ’ t help but be proud of the ways in which we ’ ve worked to help spas and resource partners recover from the worst of the pandemic . Of course , the industry ’ s next steps are just as important as those it has taken over the past 18 months , and ISPA will continue to look for ways to make those steps a little easier .
That ’ s where you come in . There are a number of ways , large and small , that you can help the ISPA Foundation in its research and other efforts , and we encourage you to commit to at least one . That may mean leaving the $ 25 donation box checked when you renew your ISPA membership , it may mean donating an awesome prize to an ISPA auctions or it may simply mean making a direct donation .
Your contributions will allow ISPA to continue our industry-elevating work and deliver much needed support to spa and resource partner leaders everywhere . We ’ re grateful for the support of the best members an association could as for , and we ’ re confident you ’ ll continue to blow us away in the coming months .
FOUNDATION
ISPA FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS CHAIR Frank Pitsikalis ResortSuite
DIRECTORS Patrick Huey ISPA Chair Kelleye Martin ISPA Vice Chair 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 CHAIR
56 PULSE SEPTEMBER 2021