T.The professional spa industry has always been a close community, and we at Eminence Organics are committed to helping you find the support you need at this time and beyond. While every industry is affected by this pandemic in one way or another, the spa industry in particular – known for its human connection and wellbeing of body and mind – has to adapt.
Pandemic or not, there are a plethora of spa industry associations offering support and resources, and an entire network of spa professionals is ready to share their experiences and expertise. Your participation in these associations is growing and promoting the professional spa industry as a whole.
To help you navigate all of the spa industry associations, we've created a guide that will guide you to the support you need.
Spa industry associations for owners / directors
As a spa owner or director, you want to learn from the best in business: people with experience in running successful spas who know the industry inside out. You don't want to reinvent the wheel every time you make a business decision, with so much help available and a multitude of proven ones recommended procedure. Access to these resources starts here:
International Spa Association (ISPA)
The The International Spa Association (ISPA) is recognized worldwide as the professional voice of our industry and represents spas in over 70 countries. ISPA defines a spa as any place “dedicated to general well-being through a variety of professional services that promote the renewal of body, mind and soul”. This broad definition encompasses most spa experiences, from resorts to medicine to individual service providers, including doctors and nutritionists. ISPA membership shows spa visitors that they adhere to the ISPA Code of Conduct, including best practices regarding safety, disinfection, and hiring qualified personnel.
As a member, you get access to training such as the Certified Spa Supervisor Program, a research library, and webinars, courses, and textbooks on topics such as retail management and financial reporting. They also keep you up to date with the latest industry news and provide templates and guidelines for spas that may not have access to marketing or operations teams.
The ISPA network of spa operators, resource partners and providers is a big draw, and members have access to the full membership directory and ISPA job bank. You will also receive special prizes for the annual ISPA Conference & Expo, one of the leading networking events in the industry.
Green spa network (GSN Planet)
Eminence is proud to be a "green" company and Certified B Corporation, which is committed to the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility. Given our many shared values, it's no surprise that the Green Spa Network or GSN Planet is very important to us. GSN Planet is committed to “promoting the critical links between personal wellbeing, economic sustainability and the health of our planet” and believes that the spa industry is particularly suited to be a catalyst for positive change.
GSN Planet memberships are tiered and begin with a free membership that includes access to webinars, newsletters and job search features. The higher levels include listings in the GSN Planet Spa Locator, access to the Sustainability Assessment Tool, the Green Toolkit, and industry research.
They also host the annual Green Spa Network Congress and recognize innovation and leadership in sustainability through the GSN Sustainability Awards.
Spa Industry Association (SIA)
In 2017 the Day Spa Association and meInternational Medical Spa Association consolidated their membership under the new one Association of the Spa Industry (SIA). Her mantra is: "Connect the community around the world" with a free membership that gives access to day spas and individual service providers.
SIA supports the professional spa industry by taking part in trade fairs, speaking at events and making industry tools more accessible. They gather resources and relevant information for their members – including spa and wellness research reports, industry news, and state legislative information. They also summarize accredited spa industry certifications, insurance options, and state spa associations.
Leading spas from Canada
The Leading Spas of Canada is a nonprofit organization founded by a group of "future-oriented spa professionals who saw great potential for spas in Canada to compete with the best in the world." Without national regulations, the organization developed standards and practices , a code of ethics, and a third-party quality assurance program to ensure that all members meet or exceed training, service, hygiene, and safety benchmarks.
The Leading Spas of Canada lead and connect the national spa industry, including spas, individual service providers, resource partners and educational institutions. Membership costs vary by category, from discounted student memberships to leading QA spa members (which indicates quality assurance for spa visitors).
Associations of the spa industry for beauticians / bodyworkers
While all of these associations are valuable to beauticians and service providers, many resources are aimed at spa owners and managers. The following organizations are aimed more directly at spa professionals at an individual level, including non-business owners and those in the early stages of their careers. You also focus on Training, certification and further training of beauticians – who we love!
Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP)
The Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) pride themselves on being an essential partner “for beauticians at every stage of the journey”. This includes membership options for students, educators, spa professionals, and employers developing their businesses.
ASCP publishes a bi-monthly magazine (ASCP Skin Deep) and continuously updates its news and video libraries to reflect the latest research, laws, events and trends in the industry. They offer on-demand webinars, marketing support, website building tools and the ASCP Career Toolkit, including costing and business resources.
ASCP members also receive discounts on training, beautician training, insurance, equipment and events.
Professional Beauty Association (PBA)
The The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) is open to a wider membership, including beauticians, hairdressers, makeup artists, freelancers and manufacturers. Her goal is to promote and expand careers within the broader beauty industry in the United States.
PBA members have access to an insurance market, industry research reports and business blueprints – various guides to compensation, operations, business planning, etc. Their visionary premium memberships include branding for your company, a marketing campaign and an account manager.
Finally, the PBA offers scholarship opportunities and supports a number of charities that benefit the professional beauty community.
While most of these associations have looked at COVID-19 and its impact on our community, it is important to remember that nothing that is proposed will replace your federal, state, or provincial government regulations. Check them frequently as the situation changes quickly. You can start here in the US and here in Canada.
In the meantime, we recommend that you contact your spa industry associations to obtain models for dealing with, adapting, and progressing. The most comprehensive is so far ISPA Spa Reopening Toolkit – a free guide for members and non-members with resources to prepare spas for safe reopening if the government allows it.
These professional associations are just a few of the organizations available in the industry. Which associations do you work with? Let us know in the comments below or share it with use on social media. Stay safe and check our blog as always Spa professional content