CHAIRMAN'S UPDATE

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

This is the time about once a quarter where I have the opportunity to talk directly to you, the members, about the conversations and outcomes of a recent ISPA Board meeting and keep you updated on what is happening in the world of ISPA. The ISPA and Foundation boards recently got together in California for time to focus on you, your needs and how ISPA can continue to provide more invaluable benefits.  My mantra for our board, based on training that we've been doing is - "We need to be a remarkable board that can serve the members in the best way."

I know we all go through that in our daily businesses too - how can we be a remarkable leader, leadership team and service provider to our guests?

This is also the time of year when our membership renewals are due and the ISPA budget is finalized, so a focus on being a remarkable board is more important than ever. Each year we all have to evaluate the investment we make in ISPA membership and consider the value we are receiving to justify expenses when budgets are still tight. Yes - business is up and we are seeing so many positive signs in the industry- through what you're saying in Snapshot Surveys, the number of ISPA members renewing and the excitement around the 20th Anniversary celebration in the Washington, D.C. area this November. We still know that some of you have to make the choice to renew and I hope that part of what I can tell you - along with what you are experiencing personally - will help make that investment an easy decision.

Some of the great news I want to share is ISPA will continue to make a commitment to invest in quality research that is consistently provided to members. You will be seeing the results of the recent industry study shortly. Investing in quality research you can depend on is a very heavy investment for the association, but one we will not compromise. There is so much information out there, which can be overwhelming at times, so we want to be sure you know the one place you can consistently come. We'll also be announcing more consumer research efforts in the coming months as well. This ensures you're continuing to get numbers to build your business balanced with numbers on what consumers are saying.

Another ISPA commitment to quality information is the Snapshot Surveys, which will continue and have quickly become the number one member benefit. Be sure you are participating in these quick surveys to get the results and implement them. We are also working on repacking and reworking some of the existing tools you've come to know and love. An entire textbook of information may be daunting to you, but wouldn't just a chapter on ratios and how to use them be helpful some days? We want to make all of ISPA's resources available to you in a variety of ways so you can use them to their full extent.

And while we all need data to make solid decisions - we also count on ISPA for our network of industry peers. We are excited to announce a shift in the Knowledge Network format for 2011. These events have served the association well for many years and now it is time modify them to meet the needs of the members. ISPA will now have networking events three times a year to bring members together in given locations all with the hope that you can walk away and start regional groups on your own.  These regional group connections are proving valuable for consistent networking throughout the year so be sure to check out the Regional Group template we have now provided on the Web site to members to help you get started.

And of course, the biggest networking event of the year is the annual Conference. As you may have heard, we are celebrating 20 years this year and are so excited to gather in the Washington, D.C. area. There is a group of visionary leaders who created this association we will be celebrating while also looking to our future.

The association is in the perfect place to consider who we want to be when we grow up. Remember when you were 20 years old and wondered what you would do with the rest of your life? It can be an uncertain time, but staying grounded and true to who you are always pays off. That's what we intend to do - serve this great industry and the owners and operators of spas as well as the companies that supply services to spas. We are committed to continuing this journey with you and hope you'll commit another year of membership to us.

Let's keep talking.

Jean Kolb
ISPA Chairman