Spa People in the News

ISPA to Recognize Jack Morrison as a Dedicated Contributor to the Spa Industry

LEXINGTON, Ky. - August 15, 2005 - A spa industry leader who has dedicated many years to enhancing both the spa experience and industry will be honored during the 2005 International SPA Association Conference & Expo, Sept. 30 - Oct. 3 in Dallas, Texas, United States. Jack Morrison, a Certified Management Accountant and managing director of the Elmcrest College of Applied Health Sciences & Spa Management in Canada, is the recipient of the ISPA 2005 Dedicated Contributor Award.

"Jack Morrison has been and continues to be a key leader in the worldwide spa industry," said ISPA Chairman Kate Mearns. "This dedicated contributor and loyal ISPA member has attended every ISPA Conference since 1998 and nearly every Knowledge Network. He was also instrumental in the development and promotion of the ISPA Foundation's 'Uniform System of Financial Reporting for Spas.' ISPA is excited to have the opportunity to recognize the vast contributions made by Jack Morrison."

The Dedicated Contributor Award is given to an active ISPA member that has contributed significantly to the growth of the association. The recipient has also demonstrated leadership and commitment to ISPA and significantly assisted in the promotion of the association, as well as its mission and vision.

The Toronto-native shared the following reaction to being chosen as the recipient of the ISPA 2005 Dedicated Contributor Award, "I am in awe of the enormous contributions that so many others make to the spa and wellness industry that I feel very privileged just to be engaged in it. I regard being formally recognized by your peers as the highest form of recognition that one can receive - it is also the most humbling and inspirational. Thank you from my heart to all my dearly loved ISPA and industry colleagues."

Morrison brought more than 30 years of senior financial and general management experience from a variety of industries with him when, in 1998, he became involved in the spa industry. At that time he took the position of Managing Director of Canada's Elmwood Spa. Upon realizing the need for better-trained staff as well as the need to remove the core training from the spa floor, Morrison helped conceive Elmcrest College in Canada. Elmcrest is dedicated to the full range of core education needs within the wellness and spa industry. Current initiatives are underway to make the level of Elmcrest education and training available to a much broader geographic segment of the spa industry.

In his spare time, Morrison currently serves as the president of The Leading Spas of Canada. Prior to joining the board of LSC, Morrison was honored with the President's Award for his outstanding contribution to the Canadian spa industry. Morrison was also a Founding Director of Premiere Spas of Ontario. Additionally, Morrison currently serves on a special Health and Wellness Tourism Taskforce formed in 2004 by the Canadian Tourism Commission to further research, develop and promote the spa industry as unique tourism product.

Morrison will receive the ISPA 2005 Dedicated Contributor Award on Sunday, Oct. 2, during that day's General Session. Recent past recipients include Peter Sng, managing director, SpaCare International Pte. Ltd. and Jane Segerberg, senior consultant, JGL Inc.

In its 15th year, the ISPA Conference & Expo is the spa industry's proven resource for education and networking. For additional details on the Conference, visit www.experienceispa.com.

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.