Connectedness

In this day and age, the rise in people’s perceived need to be attached to smartphones and devices  24/7 has undoubtedly created a barrier between one another. In many ways some are more electronically connected to devices than they are humans, sadly resulting in a loss of connectedness with others, whether it be face-to-face or by human touch. We need to pause, put down our high-tech barriers and seek connectedness with each other.

Through touch, spas are able to offer a form of connectedness unlike any other through services like massage, facials and reflexology. Spas create connections and can serve to restore connectedness in society. A new spa trend on the rise is spas serving as gathering spaces for people to reconnect. Going beyond standard service offerings, spas are beginning to offer new programs such as book clubs, wellness workshops and healthy cooking classes.

I personally chose to pursue a Spa Management Certificate and join ISPA as a student member to make new connections with industry professionals in this tightknit community. ISPA has been my go-to source for information on spa trends, marketing, products and professional networking.  Pulse has provided me with relevant research and information to use in my class projects. I encourage my fellow students to become ISPA members and to take advantage of all the benefits.

As a student, I’m continuously wowed by other spa professionals’ openness to connect with spa neophytes like myself through various internship programs, ISPA events and task forces. Similar to the nature of spas, I feel that spa professionals have an innate disposition to nurture, heal and grow. This natural characteristic encourages connectivity among ISPA members and spa industry professionals alike.

This year’s ISPA Conference theme, “Grow,” is a call to action. The ISPA Conference is a great opportunity for spa professionals to gather and create connectedness so that we can grow our skills, relationships, businesses and industry. This year, as an ISPA member, I am looking forward to growing my connections with my spa peers at the 2013 ISPA Conference & Expo in real time, face-to-face.

Michelle Montgomery – ISPA Member
Spa student at Orange Coast College

Would you like to contribute a post to the ISPA Blog? Contact ISPA for more information on upcoming exposure opportunities.