The Partnership between ISPA and LOHAS
As a result of this burgeoning partnership, the ISPA Pavilion debuted this year at LOHAS 11 Forum in Marina del Rey, Calif, USA, May 14-16, 2007. This intimate area was designated for ISPA members committed to sustainability and to educating the LOHAS consumer on the spa world.
See pictures from the inaugural ISPA Pavilion at LOHAS 11.
What is LOHAS?*
LOHAS is an acronym for Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability, a market segment focused on health and fitness, the environment, personal development, sustainable living, and social justice.
LOHAS companies practice "responsible capitalism" by providing goods and services using economic and environmentally sustainable business practices. LOHAS business owners and industry leaders from around the world meet each year at the LOHAS Conference to discuss industry trends, share ideas and learn how to run a successful LOHAS business.
LOHAS consumers, sometimes referred to as Lohasians, are interested in products covering a range of market sectors and sub-sectors, including: Green building supplies, socially responsible investing and "green stocks", alternative healthcare, organic clothing and food, personal development media, yoga and other fitness products, eco-tourism and more.
The LOHAS Forum, LOHAS Journal and online properties are owned and operated by Conscious Wave, Inc., a 501(c)(3).
*Excerpt from www.lohas.com.
How our partnership began
In 2006 The Natural Marketing Institute published an article on the demographics and growth of the LOHAS market segments. Under the heading of Personal Care Products & Services, the article stated that Lohasians' purchases of spa services had a compounded annual growth of 70 percent from 2003 to 2005. Needless to say, our interest was piqued.
We attended the LOHAS 10 Forum last year and discovered that a number of ISPA members were already there learning how to engage this influential market segment. As we networked with our members and the LOHAS Forum organizers, it became obvious that ISPA had a home at the Forum so the partnership began.
