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Mersberger tells Spa Business he wants to lead ISPA to “big things”
Garrett Mersberger is a busy man. As director of wellness for Kohler Waters Spas, he’s just seen the brand’s flagship European location in Scotland transformed and doubled in size, and he’s also recently been named chair of the International Spa Association (ISPA) in the US.
But neither he, Kohler nor ISPA are standing still and talking to Spa Business he reveals Kohler’s spa growth plans and how ISPA’s going to increase its presence internationally.
From bathrooms to spas Kohler, a household name for bathroom and kitchen fixtures, has recently broken ground on an expansion project for its flagship property in Kohler, Wisconsin – the original Kohler Waters Spa – where they’ll be adding five additional treatment rooms, more Kohler relaxation space, a cafe, and a new bridal lounge. Additionally, Mersberger reveals the company will launch a new spa in the US next year and is working on another potential opening in 2020.
“You’re going to start seeing Kohler Waters Spas expanding – I’d say by one spa annually moving forward,” Mersberger explains. “The hope is growth for the Kohler Waters Spa brand. Customer demand is obviously high, wellness is booming and we see this as a great way to partner with the Kohler plumbing brand and to use our spas as brand showcases.”
Founded in 1873, Kohler Company has an estimated revenue of US$6bn and is one America’s largest companies. It has its own hospitality arm and first entered the spa industry 18 years ago, and now owns and operates four – three in the US and one in Scotland.
“It’s been a nice marriage of brands and the Kohler name,” Mersberger explains. “When we opened our first spa in 2000, we did a lot of research into the history of spa and we kept coming back to water and the Roman bath houses. And Kohler’s been in the water business for the last 150 years, so we know a thing or two about water. So it was a natural fit.”
The St Andrews spa was growing – not just through customers in the hotel, but also through its membership component. “So we decided we needed an expansion and we actually doubled the square footage of the spa,” says Mersberger.
The spa has been completely refreshed and well-known industry figure Kirsty MacCormick came on board as spa director last year. Two couples’ rooms have been added – bringing the total to 13 – as well as a spa cafe serving healthy cuisine and coed relaxation space.
“Everything we did keeps water in mind – the colour schemes, the noises you hear – everything,” explains Mersberger.
“In the thermal area, we have an 8ft waterfall that cascades into the pool. We have little trickling waterfalls in different rooms throughout the spa so you’re always able to hear water.
“But it’s also about being able to see water, so a lot of the artwork uses different water scenes from Scotland. In the colour schemes we chose colours of water, but not just water from anywhere, water specifically from Scotland. We want to stay true to the local area and not lose sight of the fact that we’re in Scotland and we’re right by the North Sea.”
Growth for ISPA In the middle of all this growth for Kohler Waters Spa, Mersberger also has his position as chair of ISPA – a role he takes seriously. He’s interviewed the four past chairs, picking their brains on what their vision was, what their hardships were, what they loved about the job.
“I’d like to carry that torch and lead our association to big things,” he says. “That includes growth internationally – that’s a big push. Right now, with so much going on in the spa industry – it’s growing so fast – spas need someone to turn to.
“Maybe they don’t have harassment policies in place, or transgender policies in place – things like that that they haven’t thought of. Our world is moving so fast that they need to look to ISPA, and hopefully we can provide some of those tools and some of that direction for them. We don’t write policy necessarily, but hopefully we can be a good resource for them to help them create their own policies.”
But Mersberger’s role with Kohler shows no signs of slowing down. Now, he says that the company is getting inquiries from hotels that are interested in putting a Kohler-branded spa in their hotels. Mersberger concludes: “We’re exploring that – absolutely. The future looks bright for Kohler Waters Spa.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
People profile: Garrett Mersberger
Garrett Mersberger on the overhaul of Kohler Waters’ flagship spa in Europe, plus his vision for ISPA following his appointment as chair of the association
Spa programmes: On the menu
Underwater yoga, healing breathwork and genetics all feature in Spa Business’ brand new series revealing the latest treatments, programmes and retreats in spas
Promotional feature: Zimmer MedizinSysteme
Cold therapy is suddenly all the rage, but Zimmer MedizinSysteme’s icelab takes it a step further, creating a cold sauna for the whole body. Rainer Bolsinger explains more about this cutting-edge therapy
Promotional feature: The Tides: pure Dutch nature inside
Modern living might be tough on our minds and bodies, but newly-launched Dutch wellness and self-care brand The Tides offers just the antidote with a new class of pure, raw products and treatments
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the
most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
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Mersberger tells Spa Business he wants to lead ISPA to “big things”
Garrett Mersberger is a busy man. As director of wellness for Kohler Waters Spas, he’s just seen the brand’s flagship European location in Scotland transformed and doubled in size, and he’s also recently been named chair of the International Spa Association (ISPA) in the US.
But neither he, Kohler nor ISPA are standing still and talking to Spa Business he reveals Kohler’s spa growth plans and how ISPA’s going to increase its presence internationally.
From bathrooms to spas Kohler, a household name for bathroom and kitchen fixtures, has recently broken ground on an expansion project for its flagship property in Kohler, Wisconsin – the original Kohler Waters Spa – where they’ll be adding five additional treatment rooms, more Kohler relaxation space, a cafe, and a new bridal lounge. Additionally, Mersberger reveals the company will launch a new spa in the US next year and is working on another potential opening in 2020.
“You’re going to start seeing Kohler Waters Spas expanding – I’d say by one spa annually moving forward,” Mersberger explains. “The hope is growth for the Kohler Waters Spa brand. Customer demand is obviously high, wellness is booming and we see this as a great way to partner with the Kohler plumbing brand and to use our spas as brand showcases.”
Founded in 1873, Kohler Company has an estimated revenue of US$6bn and is one America’s largest companies. It has its own hospitality arm and first entered the spa industry 18 years ago, and now owns and operates four – three in the US and one in Scotland.
“It’s been a nice marriage of brands and the Kohler name,” Mersberger explains. “When we opened our first spa in 2000, we did a lot of research into the history of spa and we kept coming back to water and the Roman bath houses. And Kohler’s been in the water business for the last 150 years, so we know a thing or two about water. So it was a natural fit.”
The St Andrews spa was growing – not just through customers in the hotel, but also through its membership component. “So we decided we needed an expansion and we actually doubled the square footage of the spa,” says Mersberger.
The spa has been completely refreshed and well-known industry figure Kirsty MacCormick came on board as spa director last year. Two couples’ rooms have been added – bringing the total to 13 – as well as a spa cafe serving healthy cuisine and coed relaxation space.
“Everything we did keeps water in mind – the colour schemes, the noises you hear – everything,” explains Mersberger.
“In the thermal area, we have an 8ft waterfall that cascades into the pool. We have little trickling waterfalls in different rooms throughout the spa so you’re always able to hear water.
“But it’s also about being able to see water, so a lot of the artwork uses different water scenes from Scotland. In the colour schemes we chose colours of water, but not just water from anywhere, water specifically from Scotland. We want to stay true to the local area and not lose sight of the fact that we’re in Scotland and we’re right by the North Sea.”
Growth for ISPA In the middle of all this growth for Kohler Waters Spa, Mersberger also has his position as chair of ISPA – a role he takes seriously. He’s interviewed the four past chairs, picking their brains on what their vision was, what their hardships were, what they loved about the job.
“I’d like to carry that torch and lead our association to big things,” he says. “That includes growth internationally – that’s a big push. Right now, with so much going on in the spa industry – it’s growing so fast – spas need someone to turn to.
“Maybe they don’t have harassment policies in place, or transgender policies in place – things like that that they haven’t thought of. Our world is moving so fast that they need to look to ISPA, and hopefully we can provide some of those tools and some of that direction for them. We don’t write policy necessarily, but hopefully we can be a good resource for them to help them create their own policies.”
But Mersberger’s role with Kohler shows no signs of slowing down. Now, he says that the company is getting inquiries from hotels that are interested in putting a Kohler-branded spa in their hotels. Mersberger concludes: “We’re exploring that – absolutely. The future looks bright for Kohler Waters Spa.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
People profile: Garrett Mersberger
Garrett Mersberger on the overhaul of Kohler Waters’ flagship spa in Europe, plus his vision for ISPA following his appointment as chair of the association
Spa programmes: On the menu
Underwater yoga, healing breathwork and genetics all feature in Spa Business’ brand new series revealing the latest treatments, programmes and retreats in spas
Promotional feature: Zimmer MedizinSysteme
Cold therapy is suddenly all the rage, but Zimmer MedizinSysteme’s icelab takes it a step further, creating a cold sauna for the whole body. Rainer Bolsinger explains more about this cutting-edge therapy
Promotional feature: The Tides: pure Dutch nature inside
Modern living might be tough on our minds and bodies, but newly-launched Dutch wellness and self-care brand The Tides offers just the antidote with a new class of pure, raw products and treatments
Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year
renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across
the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans
to expand.
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research
initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry
perspectives.
The Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) has published a non-regulatory global industry
framework designed to ensure the retreat market offers responsible experiences.
A new survey of UK and international spa practitioners shows that stress, burnout and
wellbeing concerns have caused one in three respondents to consider leaving the industry.
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity
guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's
physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing
sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Anna Bjurstam has left her role as Wellness Pioneer at Six Senses Hotels and Resorts and
launched a new wellness, longevity and “consciousness consultancy” called Wahayla.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has opened today (10 July) in the Northwest of England
with a
1,715sq m Fairmont Spa that has been designed using a ‘Wellness without Walls’
concept.
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the
most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Voya Organic Beauty Voya Organic Beauty, founded in 2006 in Ireland by Mark Walton and Kira Guckian Walton, is a private [more...]
