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ISPA
The ISPA is the International Spa Association, a professional organization
that represents all aspects of the spa industry and is recognized worldwide
as the voice of the spa industry, representing more than 2,000 health and wellness
facilities and providers in 63 countries. Members encompass the entire arena
of the spa experience, from resort/hotel, destination, mineral springs, medical,
cruise ship, club and day spas to service providers such as physicians, wellness
instructors, nutritionists, massage therapists and product suppliers.
The ISPA is committed to forming and maintaining alliances that will educate,
set standards, provide resources, influence policy and build coalitions for
the industry. ISPA's vision is to revitalize humanity and its mission is to
educate the public about the value of the spa experience and engage its participation.
Professionals in the spa industry, as well as consumers and the media, look
to the ISPA to clarify and standardize the spa experience, defined by the ISPA
as "your time to relax, reflect, revitalize and rejoice."
The ISPA has grouped spas into seven different categories in order to assist
spa goers in choosing the best spa experience possible. The seven categories
are:
· Club Spa - a facility whose primary purpose is fitness and
which offers a variety of professionally administered spa services on a day-use
basis.
· Cruise Ship Spa - a spa aboard a cruise ship providing professionally
administered spa services, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu
choices.
· Day Spa - a spa offering a variety of professionally administered
spa services to clients on a day-use basis.
· Destination Spa - a spa whose sole purpose is to provide guests
with lifestyle improvement and health enhancement through professionally administered
spa services, physical fitness, educational programming and on-site accommodations.
Spa cuisine is served exclusively.
· Medical Spa - individuals, solo practices, groups and institutions
comprised of medical and spa professionals whose primary purpose is to provide
comprehensive medical and wellness care in an environment which integrates spa
services, as well as conventional and complimentary therapies and treatments.
· Mineral Springs Spa - a spa offering an on-site source of natural
mineral, thermal or seawater used in hydrotherapy treatments. Resort/Hotel Spa
- a spa owned by and located within a resort or hotel providing professionally
administered spa services, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu
choices.
· Resort/Hotel Spa - A spa owned by and located within a resort
or hotel providing professionally administered spa services, fitness and wellness
components and spa cuisine menu choices. In addition to the leisure guest, this
is a great place for business travelers who wish to take advantage of the spa
experience while away from home.
ISPA members will form new business relationships, receive quality education
and be supported by an organization that is continually marketing its members
to the media and assisting them in their own marketing efforts. Membership helps
spas to attract more customers. Members benefit from attending and/or exhibiting
at the ISPA Annual Conference & Expo, being listed in the Membership Directory,
receiving the latest consumer research on spas in the US, the UK, Canada, and
Japan, being able to view ISPA member job listings and resumes, and to be part
of the ISPA Knowledge Networks, which connect spa owners and directors so that
they can discuss circumstances and find business solutions. Additionally, the
ISPA has partnered with the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging
Association in order to provide a certificate program for the spa industry.
The program consists of nine books customized with specific case studies from
the spa industry and can be self-taught or taught in groups. An exam tests comprehension
of the books contents as well as knowledge gained on the job, and those who
pass the exam become designated by the ISPA as a Certified Spa Supervisor (CSS).
ISPA members also receive media leads, can attend ISPA-held media events, can
attend spa awareness days, are able to use ISPA’s logo on printed materials
and websites, and receive “Pulse,” the official bimonthly magazine of the ISPA
that provides informative articles on the spa industry, offers marketing and
public relations tips, surveys new products and treatments, and offers perspective
on global industry trends. Members can also have their products featured in
“Pulse” at no cost.
The ISPA was founded in 1991 as a grass roots movement to build a common network
for member spas, their affiliates, and the media. Since then, the ISPA has grown
dramatically in membership and scope, representing a vast majority of domestic
and international spas. The ISPA is committed to forming and maintaining alliances
that educate, set standards, provide resources, influence policy, and build
coalitions for the spa industry. The ISPA’s mission is to raise awareness and
educate the public about the lifelong benefits of the spa experience. As the
main voice of the spa industry, the ISPA attracts and retains a diverse global
membership.
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