Lexington, Ky. - July 25, 2012 - The International SPA Association is pleased to announce that Susie Ellis, president of SpaFinder, Inc., will be honored as the recipient of the International SPA Association Visionary Award during the 2012 ISPA Conference & Expo, Oct. 15-17 at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla. In addition to leading the world’s largest spa media and marketing company, she is the forward-thinking leader who helped spearhead the development of the Global Spa & Wellness Summit, which brings together leaders and visionaries from across the globe to strategically discuss the future of the spa and wellness industry each year.

“Susie Ellis has an infectious passion for advancing the spa industry and connecting thought-leaders from across the globe to achieve this goal. She is a true visionary in every sense of the word,” said ISPA President Lynne McNees. “Her dedication to promoting the benefits of living a healthy spa lifestyle continues to change the way people interpret the word spa.”

The ISPA Visionary Award is given each year to someone in the spa industry who has made significant contributions to both the definition and positive movement of health and wellness over the lifetime of their career. Ellis began her spa career in California at Golden Door and later became the first spa director of the Greenhouse Spa at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Fla. She has also served on the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, chaired by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Upon learning of this recognition, Ellis said, “When I received the call that I was to receive the 2012 ISPA Visionary Award, I was deeply honored to be among past esteemed recipients that include Deborah Szekely, who has been a special mentor to me during the four decades I have been privileged to be part of our incredible industry. I am also proud to have been associated with ISPA almost since its inception in 1991. It has truly blossomed into a very important organization, recognized around the world, and continues to bring a great deal of value to its members.”

“This honor makes me reflect on the profound changes in the size and perception of the world of spa that I have witnessed and for which I am proud to have been an advocate – maybe even a zealot, some would say. My passion is to help spas embrace their identity as wellness providers, and, through organizations like ISPA and the Global Spa & Wellness Summit, bring unity and a spirit of collaboration so together we can do an even better job of helping people find their path to a healthier lifestyle,” Ellis continued. “Today our future is even brighter than the past has been - and I only wish I had another four decades to be part of this vibrant, exciting and valuable industry.”

The 2012 ISPA Visionary Award will be presented to Ellis during the General Session on Monday, October 15 at the ISPA Conference & Expo. Other award winners include John Gray, co-founder and principal of Voelker Gray Design, who will be honored as the recipient of the ISPA 2012 Dedicated Contributor Award. If you are interested in learning more about the event or would like to register to attend, visit ispa2012.com.

More Spa People in the News