ISPA’s Stimpson says the spa market is growing again
by Aoife Dowling | 22 Oct 2013
Stimpson: ISPA has published Male Consumer Insights, a snapshot of male spa goers
Speaking at the opening of the ISPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas today (21 October 2013), ISPA chair, Ella Stimpson announced the appointment of Miraval CEO Michael Tompkins as next year’s chair and confirmed that recent ISPA research shows the major performance indicators for the sector – including spend, attendance and investment – are finally running ahead of pre-recessionary highs.
The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Grow’ and Stimpson urged delegates to drive performance to make the most of the improved financial situation.
Rancho la Puerta’s Deborah Szekeley – who recently celebrated her 91st birthday – spoke compellingly to delegates about the ‘power of one’, calling for support for her Wellness Warrior campaign which is working to raise awareness of and garner government support for a raft of wellness interventions. “Healthy, happy, centred people are the ones who go out there and are a force for change,” she said.
Szekeley has bold visions of a better world: “I demand a day when the air, water and land are safe,” she said, “and when people eat a plant-based diet and think of prevention first.
“My ultimate fantasy is a Wellness March down the Mall in Washington. I may not be alive by then, but I’ll be watching.”
The final keynote came from Blake Mycoskie, founder of Tom’s Shoes, who told the story of how he launched the company from his kitchen table with no knowledge of the shoe sector, before growing it to be a global brand with a huge charitable arm.
The last piece of big news came from Stimpson who said ISPA has just published its first survey of male spa consumers.
Speaking at the opening of the ISPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas today (21 October 2013), ISPA chair, Ella Stimpson announced the appointment of Miraval CEO Michael Tompkins as next year’s chair and confirmed that recent ISPA research shows the major performance indicators for the sector – including spend, attendance and investment – are finally running ahead of pre-recessionary highs. The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Grow’ and
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by Helen Andrews | 28 May 2026
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by Helen Andrews | 04 Mar 2026
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"Culture is the beating heart of this project"
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
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