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.

The 21-year active ISPA member will be honoured during the expo at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada, between 19-21 October.

With more than 35 years’ experience, Abbajay is an expert within the fields of spa development, strategy, retail, trend innovation and operational excellence. Prior to working for Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas, Abbajay was VP of global spa, retail and fitness for Marriott International. Before that, she had her own company, Abbajay & Associates, which was a global consulting firm specialising in strategic insights, trends and creative development for the spa, retail, beauty, hair and wellness industries.

The ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award is given to an active ISPA member who has contributed significantly to the growth of the association. According to ISPA, “the recipient will have demonstrated leadership and commitment to ISPA and has extensively assisted in the promotion of the association, as well as its mission and vision.”

Having previously served on the ISPA board of directors as a secretary/treasurer and on the ISPA Foundation Board of Directors as vice chair, Abbajay has also presented at the ISPA Conference & Expo, written and published ISPA textbooks, lectured internationally and served on – and led – numerous committees and task forces.

“I have devoted my professional life to the beauty and spa industry and am beyond grateful for the opportunities that have been bestowed upon me,” said Abbajay.

ISPA chair, Michael Tompkins commented: “Sharilyn’s uncompromising drive to push spa forward, along with her steadfast volunteering of time and resources – in an effort to improve our industry – makes her a standout among spa peers.”