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Gold company profile
International SPA Association
International SPA Association: News and press releases
31 Mar 2026
The International Spa Association (ISPA) Conference 2026 has begun today at The
Venetian in
Las Vegas, Nevada, US, where it will continue until Thursday 2 April.
31 Mar 2026
The US spa industry is making steady, meaningful progress, with revenue reaching US$23.
03 Mar 2026
Thirty-one research-backed strategies to positively influence spa guests ahead of their arrival
have been published in a consumer-focused report by the ISPA Research Foundation.
14 Nov 2025
Kate Mearns will receive the 2026 ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award in recognition of her
contributions to the spa industry.
29 Jun 2025
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has announced its newly elected board officers for
2025, including Kenneth Ryan as chair.
18 Jun 2025
Spa staff compensation across market sectors has been revealed in the full
2025 US Spa
Industry Study, published by the International Spa Association (ISPA)
Foundation.
05 Apr 2025
US Consumers are rapidly changing their attitudes towards spas as global events increase
anxiety levels.
12 Mar 2025
The US spa industry has hit another all-time high, generating a record US$22.5 billion (€20.6
billion, £17.4 billion) in revenue in 2024 – a 5.8 per cent increase from 2023’s US$21.3 billion
(€19.5 billion, £16.4 billion).
11 Mar 2025
Spa and wellness professionals from around the world have descended on Colorado Springs for
the annual ISPA Conference & Expo, which kicks off today at The Broadmoor.
08 Jan 2025
On day two of the highly-anticipated 2025 ISPA Conference, world-renowned restaurateur
Will Guidara will take to the main stage to present tried-and-true insights into fostering
remarkable hospitality at every checkpoint of the guest journey.
15 Aug 2024
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has celebrated industry consultant Anna Moine with
the 2025 ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award.
24 Apr 2024
The US spa industry is continuing its upward trajectory, achieving an unprecedented milestone
with a record-breaking revenue of US$21.3 billion in 2023, surpassing the previous high of
US$20.1 billion in 2022.
20 Mar 2024
The International Spa Association (ISPA) Foundation has released the 2024 edition of its
Consumer Snapshot research initiative, shedding light on the behaviours and preferences of
regular spa-goers in the US.
15 Jan 2024
It’s time to unlock your spa's potential at the 2024 ISPA Conference.
01 Dec 2023
ISPA has unveiled a trio of extraordinary 2024 ISPA Conference Power Session keynotes
featuring leadership development authority Ryan Leak, innovation and resilience scholar
Suneel Gupta and MMA expert-turned-philanthropist Justin Wren.
01 Nov 2023
Patrick Huey has been appointed as the new director of global wellbeing operations at Hyatt
Hotels Corporation.
23 Oct 2023
Luxury Texan retreat La Cantera Resort & Spa has appointed Anne Melby as the new director of
spa and recreation at its Loma de Vida Spa & Wellness in San Antonio.
11 Oct 2023
Trade body, the International Spa Association (ISPA), has appointed Todd Shaw and Ella Kent
as the new chair and vice-chair respectively of the ISPA Foundation Board.
08 Sep 2023
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has recognised industry figure Tammy Pahel with the
2024 ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award.
11 Aug 2023
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has announced Michael Tompkins – managing
director and executive recruiter at Hutchinson Consulting: An Arch Amenities Group company –
as its 2024 ISPA Visionary Award winner.
11 Aug 2023
Industry figure Ella Kent has been appointed director of spa and wellness at Sea Island – a
Forbes Five-Star coastal resort in Georgia, US.
10 May 2023
The International Spa Association (ISPA) unveiled its five key US spa industry financial
indicators from its 2023 US Spa Industry Study today during its 2023 Conference and
Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.
24 Apr 2023
International spa, medical, aesthetic and wellness professionals are congregating today in
Austria at St. Martins Spa and Lodge for the second annual Medical Wellness Congress (MWC).
04 Apr 2023
Lynne McNees, president of the International Spa Association (ISPA), has announced the new
ISPA Board of Directors and officers for 2023.
14 Dec 2022
Arch Amenities Group (AAG) has announced the appointment of Blake Feeney, a spa industry
veteran, as vice president of spa business development.
05 Oct 2022
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has named Technogym CEO and founder Nerio
Alessandri as the 2023 ISPA Visionary Award winner.
18 Aug 2022
Jennifer Wayland-Smith has been recognised by the International Spa Association (ISPA) with
the 2023 ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award.
11 Aug 2022
This year’s World Wellness Weekend (WWW) will be the largest to date, reaching over 140
countries and involving over 4,000 venues, including spas, gyms and a range of other wellness,
tourism and hospitality destinations.
27 May 2022
The International Spa Association (ISPA) Foundation has released the 11th volume of its
Consumer Snapshot initiative titled New Era, New Consumer.
11 May 2022
The International Spa Association (ISPA) championed dedication and innovation at its recent
Las Vegas conference.
03 May 2022
Spas across the US generated US$18.1bn (€17.2bn, £14.4bn) in revenues in 2021, marking an
almost 50 per cent increase compared to 2020 (US$12.1bn, €11.5bn, £9.7bn).
03 May 2022
Deborah Szekely, philanthropist, social activist, teacher and entrepreneur, has been inducted
into the Wellness Hall of Fame (WellHOF) as its inaugural Fellow on the day of her 100th
birthday.
24 Mar 2022
As a member-led organisation, ISPA depends upon its members to identify the most pressing
issues facing industry professionals to optimise educational offerings at each ISPA event.
24 Mar 2022
The International Spa Association (ISPA) is bringing its popular virtual Town Hall Series to
Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, live and in-person from 2-4 May for the 2022 ISPA Conference.
11 Feb 2022
Year after year, International SPA Association (ISPA) members cite the wealth of research
reports available to them in the ISPA Research Library as one of their most valued member
benefits.
25 Jan 2022
The 2022 ISPA Conference boasts a lineup of keynote speakers who are sure to light up the
main stage for three inspiring Power Sessions from 2- 4 May at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas,
NV.
17 Jan 2022
Sensei, the wellness brand owned by tech billionaire Larry Ellison, has appointed Annika
Jackson as general manager and Michael Conte as retreat director of the brand’s upcoming
second outpost Sensei Porcupine Creek.
10 Jan 2022
Join ISPA at its 2022 ISPA Conference where the most innovative spa products and services on
the market will be showcased for motivated spa buyers from all sectors of the spa industry
to
explore and access.
16 Dec 2021
ISPA board chair Patrick Huey has left his role at Montage Hotels and Resorts’ VP of spa and
retail and joined the team at Boston’s new luxury private social club, The ‘Quin House.
14 Dec 2021
The International Spa Association (ISPA) will grow its ISPA board of directors and officers in
2022 with five newly-elected members.
18 Nov 2021
Bestselling author and entrepreneur Dan Heath has been announced as the opening Power
Session keynote speaker for The International Spa Association’s (ISPA) 2022 Conference.
26 Aug 2021
Iconic Californian health and wellness destination Golden Door is the latest location to join
Healing Hotels of the World – a global consortium of holistic hotels, resorts and retreats.
29 Jul 2021
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has released the full findings of the 2021 ISPA US
Spa Industry Study, marking the 22nd anniversary of this annual research initiative.
02 Jun 2021
Throughout the pandemic, the International Spa Association (ISPA) has championed the
strength of the spa community and strived to support, inform and inspire the industry as it
grapples with the new challenges of operating in a COVID-19 landscape.
13 May 2021
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has revealed its annual five key spa industry
financial indicators from its 2021 US Spa Industry Study – known as the Big Five – during
its Stronger Together Summit.
10 May 2021
Marketing guru and New York Times best-selling author Seth Godin kicked off ISPA’s
Stronger Together Summit today (10 May) with an insightful keynote Power Session about
the benefits of using creative, remarkable thinking to transform spa businesses' ideas and
practices.
23 Apr 2021
Spa consultancy and management firm WTS International has received an ISPA Innovation
Award for its LifeStart on Demand platform, following its acquisition of corporate fitness
and amenity management services provider LifeStart in November 2020.
13 Apr 2021
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has named 12 winners of the 2021 ISPA Innovate
Awards.
04 Feb 2021
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has released more details about its upcoming
virtual Stronger Together Summit on 10-14 May 2021.
14 Jan 2021
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has decided to cancel its upcoming ISPA Conference &
Expo in May, due to the ongoing global pandemic.
21 Dec 2020
“It’s tempting to think that 2020 changed everything in the spa and wellness industry,” said
Lynne McNees, president of the International Spa Association (ISPA), “but in many ways, it also
reaffirmed so much of the core of what our industry is about.”
23 Nov 2020
ISPA and global beauty and spa therapy educational organisation, CIDESCO, are collaborating
to tackle the training and staffing issues in the world of spa.
26 Oct 2020
Tributes have been flowing in from the wellness and fitness sector after the passing of industry
icon, Sheila Cluff, the owner and founder of well-known Californian destination spa, The Oaks at
Ojai, which she opened in 1977.
21 Oct 2020
ISPA has revealed it will host a new virtual education series, called Shine On, featuring leading
industry voices sharing their insights on a range of subjects critical to the industry’s present and
future.
02 Sep 2020
ISPA is hosting a virtual event series bringing together luminaries from a variety of backgrounds
for in-depth conversations touching on topics that impact spa professionals both personally and
professionally.
06 Aug 2020
ISPA has elected a new chair, vice-chair and secretary-treasurer to its board of directors. The
new officers’ terms will begin effective immediately.
19 Jun 2020
ISPA is partnering with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) to offer pro bono virtual
coaching sessions for its members to support them during reopening.
05 Jun 2020
ISPA has kicked off its Town Hall Meeting series to share learnings from industry leaders as spas
reopen across the globe.
29 May 2020
Globally, spas have only got one opportunity to get reopening right, says Frank Pitsikalis, chair
of the ISPA Foundation board of directors.
29 May 2020
ISPA has announced it’s hosting a series of virtual Spa Reopening Town Halls to share insights
and observations of spa leaders who’ve reopened businesses as lockdown eases.
13 May 2020
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has announced it has rescheduled and relocated the
30th annual ISPA Conference and Expo.
04 May 2020
The ISPA Foundation has released the 10th volume of its Consumer Snapshot Initiative, which
examines the behaviours and expectations of US spa-goers and non-spa-goers during the
coronavirus crisis.
27 Apr 2020
ISPA has created a COVID-19 Reopening Toolkit to control spa reopening planning, once
businesses are officially allowed to open by their respective governing bodies.
22 Apr 2020
Industry non-profit organisation Beauty Changes Lives has announced it will launch a second
round of relief funding to support US beauty professionals or students of beauty programmes,
whose lives have been drastically changed by the mandated closures in response to COVID-19.
18 Mar 2020
With businesses in the industry being forced to adapt quickly to the impact of the coronavirus,
ISPA has launched a survey to collect data relating to its impact.
10 Mar 2020
ISPA has called off the ISPA Talent Symposium and Resource Partner Summit, due to be held in
California in April.
28 Feb 2020
ISPA has announced it will present Ella Kent with the 2020 ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award at
the 2020 ISPA Conference and Expo.
19 Feb 2020
ISPA has announced the addition of private coaching sessions for attendees at the upcoming
ISPA Talent Symposium.
06 Feb 2020
American psychologist Adam Grant has been announced as a keynote speaker for the 2020
ISPA Conference and Expo, scheduled for 14-16 October 2020.
06 Dec 2019
On-demand massage service, Soothe, has rolled out CBD massages to customers in Southern
California.
20 Nov 2019
Industry veteran Deborah Szekely has reached out for donations to support the community
of Tecate in Baja California, Mexico – the nearest settlement to wellness destination, Rancha
La Puerta – following wildfires which claimed four lives.
23 Oct 2019
Nearly half (43 per cent) of the respondents to ISPA’s 2019 US Spa Industry Study feel
cannabidiol (CBD) products and treatments will be the industry’s next big thing.
15 Oct 2019
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has announced Seth Mattison, an international expert
on workforce trends and strategy, as its keynote speaker at the ISPA Talent Symposium which
is taking place on 15 April 2020.
01 Mar 2019
The 2019 ISPA Conference & Expo is headed back to Las Vegas between 11 and 13 September
2019.
13 Feb 2019
The 2019 ISPA Conference & Expo is headed back to Las Vegas between 11 and 13 September 2019.
05 Mar 2018
The International SPA Association (ISPA) has announced that it is now accepting
applications for
the 2018 ISPA Foundation Mary Tabacchi Scholarship.
13 Feb 2018
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has announced that happiness expert Shawn
Achor will deliver the opening keynote speech at the 28th annual ISPA Conference & Expo,
which takes place in Phoenix from 24-26 September.
24 Jan 2018
The International SPA Association (ISPA) has announced the election of Garrett Mersberger,
director of wellness and Kohler Waters Spas at Kohler Co., as chair of the ISPA board of
directors, effective immediately.
20 Nov 2017
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has launched its Get Your Dream Job campaign,
designed to “elevate and celebrate careers in the spa industry”.
16 Oct 2017
Spa and wellness professionals are preparing for the start of the annual ISPA Conference
and Expo, which opens in Las Vegas later today (16 October).
11 Oct 2017
Kate Mearns, the former chair of the International Spa Association (ISPA), has been
named director of spa and wellness at global management and consulting firm LIVunLtd.
21 Sep 2017
Three new board members have joined the International SPA Association’s (ISPA) board of
directors and officers.
16 Mar 2017
New York Times' best-selling author Daniel Pink has been announced as the second day
keynote speaker for the 2017 ISPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas from 16-18 October
2017.
17 Feb 2017
The International SPA Association (ISPA) will present Dr. Mary Wisnom, professor at
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), with the 2017 ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award at
the ISPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, October 2017.
02 Feb 2017
Social psychologist Amy Cuddy has been confirmed as the opening keynote speaker for
the 2017 ISPA Conference & Expo at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas from
16-18 October 2017.
26 Jan 2017
Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna, in collaboration with the International SPA Association
(ISPA), has announced the speaker line-up for it first Spa Symposium, taking place on 17
and 18 March 2017.
10 Aug 2016
Todd Shaw, director of spa, fitness and wellness at La Quinta Club and Resort, has been
elected chair of the International SPA Association (ISPA), with Todd Hewitt, corporate
director of spa, health clubs and recreation with Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, elected as
vice chair.
26 Feb 2016
The International SPA Association will present Jean Kolb with the 2016 ISPA Dedicated
Contributor Award at the 26th annual ISPA Conference & Expo from September 13 – 15,
2016 at The Venetian in Las Vegas.
13 Jan 2016
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has announced the 2016 ISPA board of directors
and officers, which includes newly-elected members Michael Harmsworth, CEO of ESPA
International; Garrett Mersberger, director of Kohler Waters Spa & Development, and
Dawn Tardif, president of BodiScience Wellness Center & Spa.
20 Oct 2015
The 25th annual ISPA Conference and Expo got underway in Las Vegas yesterday (19
October). Randi Zuckerberg, CEO of Zuckerberg Media, author of Dot Complicated, and
sister of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, opened the show with a high-energy talk
about technology trends that are shaping the way we do business.
07 Oct 2015
With an estimated total of 360,000 employees in the US spa industry – a record high – the
demand for US spa staff does not appear to be slowing down, according to The
International Spa Association's 2015 US Spa Industry Study.
27 Aug 2015
The International SPA Association (ISPA) has released its annual findings of US spa
industry financial indicators, reporting the industry continues to grow as it surpassed the
US $15bn (€13.3bn, £9.7bn) mark.
17 Jul 2015
The International Spa Association’s sixth
Consumer Snapshot Initiative, which focuses on
trends and attitudes among consumers to the spa
industry, highlights several small but important
variances across four major economies – the US,
UK, Canada and Australia.
13 Jul 2015
The International SPA Association (ISPA) will
present a host of high-profile keynote
speakers at the 25th annual ISPA Conference &
Expo at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas from 19 - 21
October 2015.
13 Jun 2015
With events well underway in Europe, on the other
side of the pond, US wellness firms are
now opening their doors to the public, offering free
wellness-focused activities for
everyone as part of Global Wellness Day.
09 Jun 2015
Candidates for the six-month Global Mentorship Programme may now submit applications
to the scheme’s website, according to Jean-Guy de Gabriac, CEO of Tip Touch
International spa consultancy and a leader of the educational initiative alongside Deborah
Smith, principal of Smith Club & Spa Specialists – a US-based wellness consultancy.
01 Apr 2015
The International Spa Association (ISPA) will present Sharilyn Abbajay – senior vice
president of operations, brand development and retail concepts for Elizabeth Arden Red
Door Spas – with the 2015 ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award at the 24th annual ISPA
Conference & Expo.
18 Mar 2015
During this year’s annual Washington Spa Alliance Symposium, on 17 March at the
National Press Club, pioneers of the modern US spa industry – including Deborah Szekely
and Clodagh – have been honoured with a Spa Hall of Fame.
11 Feb 2015
The Global Mentorship Pilot Programme, spearheaded by a team of spa and wellness
experts from around the world, has kicked off with 17 experienced spa directors serving as
mentors to spa managers looking for guidance.
06 Feb 2015
Michael Tompkins, CEO of weight loss resort Hilton Head Health and ISPA chair, has
confirmed the opening of The Indigo spa at destination retreat on Hilton Head Island, US.
International SPA Association: featured in our publications
Spa Business 2026 issue 2
The Iran war has shaken the world and will have long-lasting consequences for tourism. Industry experts share their views on likely impacts and how to navigate them with Liz Terry
Spa Business 2025 issue 3
In a Spa Business exclusive, the author of the 2025 ISPA US Spa Industry Study, Colin Mcilheney, reveals the fresh trends and opportunities shaping the US sector’s next wave of growth
Spa Business Handbook 2025 issue 1
The US spa industry continues to show steady growth.
Nelson Lane offers a look into ISPA’s latest ‘Big Five’ statistics
Spa Business Handbook 2024 issue 1
Spa revenue is at an all-time high in the US for the second year running, but does this
momentum have a threshold? Megan Whitby digs into the findings of two fresh ISPA studies
Spa Business 2024 issue 2
Spa revenue is at an all-time high in the US for the second
year running, but does this momentum have a threshold?
Megan Whitby digs into the findings of two fresh ISPA studies
Spa Business 2023 issue 3
A deeper analysis of ISPA’s latest study shows that despite record
KPIs, the US spa industry continues to face workforce shortages, as
Eloise Corner from PricewaterhouseCoopers Research reports
Spa Business 2023 issue 3
In 2050, we envision an industry which has significantly expanded stature to influence policy and society
Spa Business Handbook 2023 issue 1
Revenue is at an all-time high in the US spa industry according
to ISPA’s latest study. Megan Whitby outlines the findings
Spa Business 2023 issue 2
Revenue in the US spa industry has exceeded the
US$20bn mark according to ISPA’s latest stats
About International SPA Association
ISPA members gather in person each year at the ISPA Conference to experience the latest innovations and trending developments in the spa industry
BackgroundSince 1991, the International SPA Association has been recognised worldwide as the professional organisation and voice of
the spa industry. As a non-profit trade organisation, ISPA members are the heart
of the association and encompass the
entire arena of the spa world from day,
club, destination, medical and resort/hotel spas to service providers, educators and resource partners. Through their volunteer contributions, the association works in unison to address the opportunities, challenges and advance the future of the global spa industry.
Main products and servicesISPA advances the spa industry by providing invaluable educational, research and networking opportunities, promoting the value of the spa experience and speaking as the authoritative voice to foster professionalism and growth among its membership. Through offering practical resources, cutting-edge industry research reports, inspiring networking events and more, ISPA seeks to assist its members in surpassing their operational goals and capitalising on every opportunity to maximise revenue, sharing the benefits of spa and making a difference in their communities. From topical Snapshot Survey research reports to the annual ISPA Conference, members are invited to take advantage of the collective knowledge and strength of
the spa community in a way that equips them with the necessary tools to rise above challenges and provide the best possible experience in the lives of guests and clients.
USPsISPA is the leading global network of spa industry professionals and the chief source of practical resources which sustain spa
professionals through prosperity and hardship alike. The sense of belonging, togetherness,
co-operation and collaboration ISPA has cultivated throughout the past few years demonstrates the strength and impact of ISPA’s collective spirit, as the association was
called the “mothership of the spa industry” in the height of the pandemic due to its
resiliency in the face of staggering uncertainty.
ISPA is also the only non-profit international association featuring professional
education which applies specifically to the spa industry. Additionally, ISPA’s Pulse
magazine is constantly kept fresh with articles on pressing industry subjects, along
with insights and updates from a deeply knowledgeable membership base.
Where in the world?
ISPA is fortunate to have members all around the globe and a Board of
Directors representing a diverse set of regions. The ISPA Headquarters team is based in Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Plans for the next 12 months
From 31 March – 2 April 2026, the annual ISPA Conference will be returning to The Venetian in Las Vegas for the first time in more than five years. As technology continues to introduce new opportunities in the way spa business is done, attendees will be invited to discover the future of spa in new and exciting ways.
ISPA will continue to unveil new research studies, educational resources and opportunities for members to engage with industry-leading business tools.
ISPA will also continue to focus on its work with partners, legislators, educational institutions and career fairs to promote and educate students and employee prospects about the many benefits of a career in spa.
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