Report on the 2008 ISPA Conference & Expo
in Las Vegas, Nevada
Part 1 of 3

by Julie Register

I, along with nearly 3,000 spa professionals from 39 countries, attended the 18th annual ISPA Conference & Expo November 10-13, 2008 at the Venetian in Las Vegas, Nevada. There were fascinating speakers, 30+ educational sessions, 304 companies at the expo, a relaxation area to try out treatments and spa industry news. This report is divided into three parts. The following chart shows the highlights of the event. This is Part 1 of 3.

Extraordinary Visions
by Dewitt Jones

Dewitt Jones was mesmerizing and inspirational during his keynote speech, Extraordinary Visions, at the opening session of the conference. He spoke about vision, passion and creativity.

During his 20-year career as photographer for National Geographic, his assignment was always to "find what's right with the world." Dewitt then told extraordinary stories as he shared some of his extraordinary photographs. His photos evoked his passion, and he fell in love with the world. "Great visions release passion and energy to transform the ordinary to extraordinary" (creativity). His object in living is to "unite my avocation with my vocation and make them one inside" - to change "I'll believe it when I see it" to "I'll see it because I believe in it."

He asked us if we have a personal vision. We should. It should be short and memorable - about 6 words. We should use it every day. "When the vision is clear, then passion and creativity is here, and discipline is not a problem."

Dewitt suggested four steps to creating extraordinary vision:

Click HERE to see a video of Dewitt Jones talking about these four steps.

Great Dewitt Jones quotes:

Taking the Risk out of Risk Management
by Calvin Martin of Calvin Martin & Company, Linda Bankoski of SpaQuality LLC* and Tony Hirsh of the Resort Hotel Association.

Calvin Martin, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Insurance Counselor and Certified Risk Manager with Calvin Martin & Company and ISPA Board Member started the presentation by reviewing the Risk Management for Spas e-Learning Course ISPA, in cooperation with the ISPA Foundation and the Resort Hotel Association, has developed. It teaches spa professionals how to identify, analyze and transfer risks pertaining to staff, guests, property, treatments, products and equipment and information technology in the spa environment. Information about insurance and the U.S. legal process are included. A certificate of completion is available for individuals who pass the course. He also talked about the Code of Conduct, the rights and responsibilities of a spa guest.

Linda Bankoski, Managing Director of Education and Assessment for SpaQuality LLC* and co-author of The International Standards of SpaExcellence(SM), started her presentation by asking how many people in the audience believed linens were a source of risk to a spa. No one raised their hand. Linda proceeded to tell a story of how a spa attendant had given her a blanket to wrap up in after a bath and then escorted her down the hall to a treatment room. The same blanket was used to drape her while she was given a massage by a male therapist. When the massage was over and the therapist had left the room, Linda sat up and realized the blanket had two rather large holes directly over the center of her pelvic area and had probably given the therapist a clear, unobstructed view of her crotch. She asked the audience again how many thought linens were a source of risk to a spa. Everyone raised their hand. Had this happened to someone else, a lawsuit could have easily followed. Linda showed how a spa could use a 6-Step Process for analyzing, minimizing and preventing risks using the linen problem as an example.

She used a Risk Management Form (download by clicking HERE). She showed how to calculate the risk and assign it a value (to use when trying to prioritize the problems and work on the most important first). She showed how to find the root cause of the problem (5 why's) and create an action plan to reduce or eliminate the risk. She then recalculated the risk based on the proposed solutions to see if they would, indeed reduce the risk. Finally, she explained how important it is to actually verify the solution works once it has been put into action.

You can see Linda's complete PowerPoint presentation HERE. You can request a blank Risk Management Form by emailing Linda at bankoski@SpaQuality.com.

*Julie Register is co-owner of SpaQuality LLC

Tony Hirsh, Director of Claims and Loss Control for the Resort Hotel Association discussed pre-loss, lawsuits and post -loss activities. He talked about and the importance of documentation. "If is isn't written down, it didn't happen." Keeping simple logs of who did what when is a good idea. However, if you have a procedure and don't follow it, get rid of it. All spa documents are discoverable in a lawsuit. He talked about what to do if there is an incident and the whys and hows to conduct an incident investigation - to understand, determine the facts, preserve information, conduct a professional incident investigation, and determine if you have exposure. He explained how to select an incident team and what an incident kit should contain. Contact Tony for more information at tony@rhainsure.com.

This presentation is available on CD MobileTape

Relaxation Area

I made good use of the Relaxation Area this year. I stopped by the Universal Companies area for a foot treatment using Gehwol Foot Care products. It was just perfect for my expo-challenged feet.

I also stopped by the Rouge Spa by Jen Morgan Studio for a 50-minute Rose Oracle Massage. The premise behind this treatment is that every plant essence is connected with a key human archetype, and contains a wealth of information that can help shine a light on our path. My therapist, Maneesha, had me start my treatment by selecting four bottles of Body Bliss essential oils. I couldn't see the labels. I was to use my intuition. My first bottle (representing something that is already a part of me - something that I have) was Patchouli which represents leaning back and enjoying life. The second bottle (representing something I need) was Frankincense which represents a male figure I can lean on. The third bottle (representing something that influences me) was lime which represents getting away - vacations. The fourth and last bottle (representing what I do to get centered) was vetiver, the monk, which instills inner silence and peace. This all was eerily true to me. I go to spas to get centered. Maneesha mixed Fankincense (what I need) with Body Bliss' Renewal blend of Ylang Ylang, Rosemary (call to action, picking us up when we feel overwhelmed or dispirited), Cypress (helpful during periods of transition and grief; it gives comfort and strength in the growth process - physically, emotionally and spiritually) and Lemongrass to help me receive what I need. She then proceeded to give me a fabulous massage and finished up with a scalp massage using warm oil with lime and vetiver. It was terrific. I haven't had a massage using oil for a long time. It was lovely and smelled fabulous. Maneesha was excellent. Next time I'm in Sedona, I will make sure I give her a call.

Expo Highlights:

After having such a great massage with Body Bliss oils, I had to stop by their booth at the expo. Body Bliss believes in the healing potential of aromatherapy and insists on the use of the purest and most complete therapeutic grade essential oils. They search the world for “boutique” growers and distillers of oils to source over 100 organic, ethically wildcrafted or ecologically sensible essential oils and CO2 extracts. These wonderful oils form the basis of their products - chakra balancing oils, herbal formulas, ayurvedic products for face and body, bath oils, bath salts, soaps, organic essential oils, organic essential oil blends, carrier oils and aromatherapy diffusers. Services offered include Body Bliss branded products, seamlessly integrated from back-bar to retail; custom formulation and private labeling; uniquely designed amenity programs for resorts and spas; spa menu and treatment development and design and training and education. I picked up a sample of Lavender Arnica Therapeutic Bath Salt and used it the first day after I returned home. I loved it!

Whiter Image
I stopped by the Whiter Image booth to get my teeth whitened. I was given a swab with vitamin E to rub on my gums (to prevent sensitivity) and instructed to bite down on the prefilled tray. I leaned back on the comfortable zero gravity recliner. They gave me goggles to shield my eyes and adjusted the light in front of my mouth. 15 minutes later, my teeth were whiter. I was hooked. I stopped by later had two more sessions. Whiter Image offers the Chair-Side Premium Whitening System (Premium L.E.D. whitening light and advanced Dual Action Whitening Gel ), Home Edition Kits, and Whiter Image™ TOGO Whitening Pens and combination Whiter Image™ TOGO Whitening Pens and lip plumpers.

Seaflora Wild Organic Seaweed Skincare
Diane Bernard, the Seaweed Lady from British Columbia, Canada, had exciting news. The seaweed used her product line had just gotten certified by the FDA as Organic. It was no small task. The FDA considers the soil the plant is grown in. Seaweed does not put its roots in soil. After much education and demonstrations, the seaweed was deemed organic. Now Seaflora uses US and Canadian Certified Organic Seaweeds such as Alaria (Winged Kelp), Laminaria Digitata, Nerocystis (Bull Kelp), Fucas (Rockweed), Ulva lactuca (Sea Lettuce) and Iridaea Cordata (Rainbow Seaweed) in their products. Seaweeds are rich in vitamins A1, B1, B2, B6, C, Folic Acid and Niacin. Seaweeds are an important supply of 60 trace elements, a primary source of B12 with significant amounts of vitamin E and K, and an excellent source of over 60 minerals, especially potassium, calcium, iodine, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc and manganese. In addition to these nutrients and minerals, Seaweeds are a treasure of nutritional concentrates. Seaweeds contain amino acids to help firm and renew tissues. They have fatty acids to help increase fluidity of cellular membranes and to fight against inflammation. Seaweeds contain beta-carotene to help slow skin's aging, treat acne and irritated skin, as well as eczema problems. What better ingredients to go into skin and body care products? Seaflora offers facial products, body poducts and specialty items. I tried some of the body products when I returned home - Detoxifying Fucus Exfoliating Body Wash, Wild Rockweed Exfoliant, Oil-Free Seaweed Body Polish, Nourishing Alaria Body Wrap, Therapeutic Firming Seaweed Gel, and Laminaria Body Lotion. The kit comes in a lovely wooden tube with a dried piece of seaweed to use as a washcloth. I liked the results. My skin was decidedly softer. There was a very slight seaweed aroma. You can ad a drop of essential oil if you to mask it. However, I rather liked it. It reminded me of Thomas Moore's Venus (read about this in Part 2).

More from the Expo

Chi Herbal Formulas and Inhalation	Somme Institute One of Julie's Favorites New from Somme Institute - MDT5 Vitamin Infusion Professional and Neckline with MDT5
ResortSuite read press kit	Ole Henriksen of Denmark
CBI Laboratories	Kryolan Professional Makeup
Aveda	Alchimie Forever
Herbescent Organic Tea & Botanicals	Bella Lucce
Alaska Glacial Mud	Silk N' DREAMS

Mark your calendars for the 2009 ISPA Conference & Expo in Austin, Texas on Oct. 5-8!

Part 2 of 3
Part 3 of 3

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photos copyright Julie Register 2008