Highlights of the Spa & Resort Expo/Medical Spa Expo & Conference New York
Julie Register attended this industry event on April 18 & 19, 2004
http://spaandresortexpo.com/

This was the third Spa & Resort Expo / Medical Spa Expo & Conference in New York and I have attended all of them. I always look forward to seeing what new products are on the market and what issues the spa industry is currently facing. From past experience, I knew there would be lots to see and hear. This year I brought my colleague, Linda Bankoski, to help me report on some of the 50+ conference sessions. Unfortunately, we arrived too late to hear the keynote address from Kyan Douglas, the grooming guru from the TV reality show, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy."

This part of the report highlights the product expo and Monday's spa tour. Of course, only a sample of the 200+ vendors at the expo are represented here. The next part of the report (to be published in about 2 weeks) will focus on the conference.

For those of you in the spa industry, this will provide some of the highlights of this year's event and, perhaps, give you some ideas for your own businesses. For those of you who are spa consumers, this report will point out some of the new things you may look forward to finding in a spa near you.

GoSMILE The crowd around the booth attracted me. Everyone was "brushing" their teeth with a little tube. It was GoSMILE, a portable approach to tooth whitening with a simple, quick and easy application that can be done anywhere, anytime. Two applications a day for two weeks whiten the teeth by 4-6 shades. Used by lots of celebritied - see web site for details.

Exotica Gourmet Exotic International Spa Cuisine Training Packages for rejuvenation from the inside out. Chefs Lisa Soto and Robert Yarosh have designed a Lifefood program for spas. It is based on organic, vegetarian and healing live foods which are never heated over 115 deg F in order to protect the life force of the food. They work with a spa's cooking staff to integrate anti-oxidant rich Exotic International Spa Cuisine to promote youth and longevity; create signature creations custom designed for an individual spa; provide a full 5-day menu of fabulous rejuvenating Lifefood cuisine; provide hands-on training to the spa's kitchen staff; and teach the art of preparation and presentation. The vegan samples at the conference were delicious and the photos of the food they prepare were beautiful!

The Comphy Co. - 323-225-8234 This company displayed their line of high quality treatment table dressings - fitted sheets, blankets, client covers, bolster covers and table skirts - that feel wonderfully soft for the client but are extremely durable and stain resistant. They are treated with an oil release finish so oils come out with routine washing. They maintain a new appearance even after 300 washings. The bedding is designed specifically to fit treatment tables and is color-coordinated to easily integrate into the visual esthetics of a treatment room. Customers include spas at Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons Hotels. However, according to owner Mia Richardson, you don't have to be a big spa to afford these products. The pricing is the same for small orders to make it affordable to small spas.

Tarifold Aromatherapy Diffusers web site Issimo web site Chadsworth & Haig web site Allegra M. France web site Hylunia web site Gemisphere web site Eminence Organic Skin Care web site Spa Junkie web site Universal Companies web site Yu-Be Cream from What's Hot web site Dead Sea Products Mineral Care web site Terme di Chianciano web site

I went on Monday's Spa Tour. We met at Pier 94 at 7:15 am and headed for Exhale. There were two busloads of attendees, so once we got to the spa, it took a while for everyone to get a chance to see the 2,000 square-foot facility (photos below). We then drove to the other spa on the tour, Paul LaBrecque. We were back at the conference in about 3 1/2 hours - most of the time was spent waiting for everyone to get through the spas. Next year, I suggest they send one bus to each spa, then switch. It would be a more efficient use of time.

Spa Tour - Exhale (Click on thumbnail image to see full-size image)

Exterior Reception Desk Waiting Area Retail Lounge Studio Facial Treatment Room 980 Madison Ave New York, NY 10021-1848 212 249 3000 http://www.exhalespa.com/

 

Spa Tour - Paul LaBrecque (Click on thumbnail image to see full-size image)

Paul LeBreque 1st Floor Reception Desk Waiting Area Facial Treatment Room Wet Treatment Room 2nd Floor Salon Reception Desk Men's Salon Cafe Lounge Pedicure Stations Hair Station 171 E 65th Street & 3rd Avenue at The Chatham New York, NY 10021 http://www.paullabrecque.com/

In case you don't want to wait until next year to attend the New York show, the Spa & Resort Expo/Medical Spa Expo & Conference will be in Miami, FL September 12 & 13, 2004 and in Los Angeles, CA February 27 & 28, 2005. Details can be found at http://spaandresortexpo.com/.