Pulse October 2015 | Page 54

10. The evolution of Pulse into a glossy magazine. From an eight-page, black-and-white newsletter, Pulse evolved into a glossy magazine in 1999. The new, full-color format allowed the award-winnig Pulse magazine to better engage readers, helping reinforce the magazine’s growing status as a leading source for spa industry news, game-changing trends and expert insights. 11. ISPA Alex Szekely Humanitarian Award was given to Cooper Aerobics Center founder Dr. Kenneth Cooper during the 2003 ISPA Conference & Expo at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas. The award recognizes exceptional contributions to well-being and honors the memory of former ISPA president, Alex Szekely, whose family founded Rancho La Puerta. The launch of the new website. In 2000, ISPA launched its new website, experienceispa.com. ISPA’s online presence provided ISPA members easy access to valuable industry resources and information 24/7. Earlier this year, ISPA rolled out a refreshed and digitally responsive website. 12. 14. The creation of the ISPA Alex Szekely Humanitarian Award. The first The first ISPA U.S. Industry Study was released. The first ISPA U.S. Industry 15. The release of the first ISPA Consumer Trends Report. In 2004, ISPA released its first ISPA Consumer Trends Report. Conducted by The Hartman Group, key findings in the study pointed toward consumers’ enhanced interest in local and indigenous spa experiences as well as a growing need for customization. 16. The record-breaking attendance at the 2006 ISPA Conference & Expo. Study, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, was released in 2000. Monitoring the “Big 5” indicators in the spa industry, the study allowed ISPA members to stay abreast with industry trends. The first report predicted a rapid spa industry growth and indicated that there were 5,689 spa locations and 95 million spa visits in 1999. In contrast, data from the ISPA 2015 U.S. Spa Industry Study showed that spa locations have reached 20,660 and spa visits were estimated at 176 million in 2014. At the 2006 ISPA Conference & Expo at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, the event hit a historical first with 3,302 spa professionals in attendance, the most number of attendees the event has ever had. A testament to the event’s growing reputation as the premiere spa industry event, the ISPA Conference & Expo has grown exponentially since it was first held with 150 spa leaders in attendance. The launch of the Supervisory Skill Builders program. In 2003, ISPA launched The official release of the ISPA Mission/Vision. In 2003, ISPA released its 13. its Supervisory Skill Builders program. As a prerequisite to a Certified Spa Supervisor (CSS) designation, the Supervisory Skill Builders program consists of nine books, each customized to key supervisory areas in the spa industry. Attendees enjoyed an evening of fun during the 2000 ISPA Conference & Expo at The Venetian in Las Vegas, Nevada. 52 PULSE ■ October 2015 17. official mission and vision. ISPA continues to uphold its vision “to be the leader in promoting and enhancing the well-being of the spa industry and the people it serves.” (CONTINUED ON PAGE 54)