LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 14, 2006) – A spa and fitness leader who has dedicated more than 20 years to the industry will be honored during the 2006 International SPA Association Conference & Expo, Nov. 6 – 9 in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Gayle Brady, director of development for Skin Authority, is the recipient of the ISPA 2006 Dedicated Contributor Award.

“Gayle Brady is highly deserving of this award and ISPA is excited to recognize her as a leader in the industry,” said ISPA Chairman Kate Mearns. “She has greatly contributed to the association by serving on the ISPA board of directors as Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary. And, through more than two decades in the industry, she has been and continues to be a key contributor to the spa movement.”

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

“I am truly honored to receive ISPA’s Dedicated Contributor Award. To be recognized by your peers is clearly the pinnacle of one’s career,” said Brady. “My involvement with ISPA goes back to its beginning days. I know it has been said a thousand times that you get back 10-fold what you put into an organization, though it really is true. My spa career would not have taken the path it did without my involvement with ISPA. I am truly a better spa professional because of it.”

Brady has a comprehensive background in spa operations, marketing, branding and development. In her role with Skin Authority, she is focusing on strategic planning and identifying resort/hotel and destination spas that are a fit for the company. In 2004 she founded Brady Spa Consulting. Prior to that, she served as the vice president of spa operations and development for Canyon Ranch where she oversaw operations at all Canyon ranch facilities and was responsible for planning and developing spa facilities at future Canyon ranch ventures. Prior to this role she was the director of development for Natural Resources Spa Consulting where she was responsible for developing spas in all stages. She was also the regional director for Golden Door Spas & City Spas, served as spa director for Golden Door Spa at The Peaks and was the executive spa director for Marriott’s Spa at Camelback.

Brady will receive the ISPA 2006 Dedicated Contributor Award on Nov. 8 during that day’s General Session. Recent past recipients of the award include: Jack Morrison, manager, Elmcrest College of Applied Health Sciences & Spa Management; Peter Sng, managing director, SpaCare International and Jane Segerberg, vice president, JGL Inc.

About ISPA
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.