Travel Industry Job Bank to be Aimed at Helping Hurricane Katrina Victims

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Sept. 13, 2005 – The International SPA Association is helping displaced spa professionals find new employment through a partnership with the Travel Industry Association of America. TIA, in partnership with the Travel & Tourism Coalition and the Travel Business Roundtable, is offering free use of a job bank to help workers displaced by Hurricane Katrina find new employment as soon as possible.

The job bank at www.katrinajobs.com will be launched Sept. 15. ISPA members will be able to link to the site from ISPA’s Web site, www.experienceispa.com. “After talking with ISPA’s members along the Gulf Coast, it’s clear that finding a job is one of the most pressing needs for displaced spa professionals,” said ISPA President Lynne Walker McNees. “ISPA commends Roger Dow and TIA for launching a national initiative to help displaced travel industry employees. ISPA looks forward to supporting this important effort.”

The Web site will include a section for postings by both those seeking employment and companies with positions available. While the impetus is to help those in the travel industry, the job listings will include information from all types of businesses, whether they are travel related or not.

“With so many hotels, shopping and gaming attractions, restaurants and other travel-related businesses devastated by the hurricane, the travel industry was particularly hard hit,” said TIA President and CEO Roger J. Dow. “The job bank at www.katrinajobs.org will be ready by Sept.15 to take information from job-seekers and listings businesses across American. The goal is to help provide work as quickly as possible for those who have been displaced.”

Additionally, ISPA’s Web site has been updated to serve as a news center for information on spa industry relief efforts. The site includes information on special events, fundraisers and/or programs where all or a portion of proceeds will benefit hurricane survivors.

About the Travel Industry Association of America
The Travel Industry Association of America is the 2,000 member national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $600 billion travel industry. TIA’s mission is to represent the whole of the U.S. travel industry to promote and facilitate increased travel to and within the United States.

The Travel Business Roundtable (TBR), a strategic partner to the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), is a CEO-based organization representing all sectors of the travel and tourism industry. In addition to airlines, car rental companies, travel management agencies, hotel chains, resorts and theme parks, TBR's membership roster also includes such entities as The Coca-Cola Company, USA Today, the National Football League, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, demonstrating the broad scope and diversity of the industry. For more information, visit www.tbr.org.

About the International SPA Association
ISPA is recognized worldwide as the leading professional organization and voice of the spa industry. Founded in 1991, ISPA’s membership is comprised of more than 2,500 health and wellness facilities and providers from 73 countries. ISPA strives to advance the professionalism of the spa industry by providing invaluable educational and networking opportunities, to promote the value of the spa experience to society and to be the authoritative voice of the spa industry.

Spas are entities devoted to enhancing overall well-being through a variety of professional services that encourage the renewal of mind, body and spirit.

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