Tag Archives: Las Vegas

Spa Businesses Coming Together – Is It a Good Match?

Spa Businesses Coming Together – Is It a Good Match?
by Susie Ellis
SpaFinder Insider

Last Wednesday evening I had dinner with Nancy Griffin, founder of Spa Trade and Spa Exec, and Joyce Jamison, Vice President/Group Publisher of Questex’s Beauty & Spa Media Group which publishes American Spa and American Salon Magazines. It was a chance for the three of us – all with varied careers in the spa world – to share experiences, opinions and ideas.

Spa Businesses Coming Together Is It a Good Match?
Of course the big news, is that Joyce’s company, Questex, just purchased Nancy’s companies, Spa Trade and Spa Exec.
spatrade logo 745941 Spa Businesses Coming Together Is It a Good Match?
I think it was a smart move and the kind of consolidation we will likely see more of in the future. Spa Trade and Spa Exec seems to fit well into the Questex portfolio.
I have known Nancy for many years – ever since we bonded over a shared interest in spa data when she was at Cornell. Peter and Nancy have always enjoyed a common interest and understanding of the value of the Internet for the spa industry. (Many years ago there were few who saw the possibilities, however Nancy and Peter were always on the same page.) Nancy worked for SpaFinder briefly when she ran our day spa retreats. We have seen her grow from someone interested in the spa arena to someone who now has great influence in it. In some ways, she has even become a sort of “watchdog” for our industry. While her tendency to sound alarms may not always make her the most popular person in the room, she is more often than not, right.
Joyce and I had met before although we have never had the chance to spend time together so dinner with Nancy in New York was a treat. Of course I read American Spa magazine cover to cover and have always enjoyed and admired the magazine. Since American Spa is sent directly to subscribers and is not sold on newsstands, it is possible to have beautiful covers on which you don’t have to have a lot of cover lines (they help with newsstand sales). Joyce seems like a
kind-hearted person with a good sense of “next steps” for our industry.
We will all have to stay tuned to see how their new collaboration works. My guess is that it will be a home run.
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Spa Industry Brain Dump

Spa Industry Brain Dump
by Susie Ellis

I had someone in my office yesterday who is a big-time investor (billions of dollars in a fund). He wants to learn about the spa industry as quickly as possible. Someone told him he should begin by getting in touch with me – I am flattered.

Sitting here among my bookcases which house my very extensive library of spa books and magazines from the past 30 years, and my file cabinets which contain copies of spa industry research from around the world that I have archived for as long as there has been spa industry research, I thought to myself….where to begin?

It appears as if he wants to be brought up-to-speed on our industry within about two weeks. Yikes. Tall order.

Since we had only about 30 minutes of time together, I figured the best thing I could do was point out some good resources and let him take it from there. I guess these investor-types are quick studies (hopefully).

Fortunately at that very moment I had three resources on my desk which I thought would be the best place to begin. SpaFinder’s Global Spa Directory, often referred to as the “the Bible of Spas” (not my words, but others) which is always a good overview, and the following new publications:

2. A new book, Understanding the Global Spa Industry, edited by Marc Cohen & Gerry Bodeker.

Lucky guy….I wish those resources had been available when I began my career a few decades ago.

global.spa.economy.research 735290 Spa Industry Brain DumpWhile the SRI report might be a tad pricey for an individual ($1495), it is a solid investment for companies or anyone who will be entering the spa arena. It’s certainly a smart move for someone deciding where to put significant investment money.

The second resource is affordable (although not cheap) but wow….what a valuable read. This 450+ page global spa industry book is actually a spa management text with 25 chapters. Each chapter was written by a different spa industry expert which is why I think it is so interesting. You don’t just get one person’s viewpoint, you get 25 different frames of reference. That’s important because in my opinion our industry is too new and too global to settle for one author’s account.

understanding.spa.industry 758869 Spa Industry Brain DumpNow just for full disclosure, the reason the book was on my desk (it doesn’t come out until July) is because I authored one chapter (the one on spa trends) and this was an advance copy. Lest you think I am “selling” the book on my blog, I should add that none of the authors got paid to write our chapter and none of us (except maybe Marc and Gerry) will make any money from sales. Like so many things in a young industry….it was a labor of love. My guess is that it will turn out to be just that for Marc and Gerry as well since, let’s face it, outside of our industry it won’t likely make the New York Times Best Seller List.

What I like most about the book is that the authors do not agree on everything. In fact, it’s obvious that different people see things differently. That is reality for the current global spa industry and that is where investors can seize opportunity.

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Global Spa Summit 2008: Spa Economy hits $255 Billion

Global Spa Summit 2008: Spa Economy hits $255 Billion
by Susie Ellis, SpaFinder

Whew…Global Spa Summit 2008 just wrapped and what an amazing event. I learned so much and had such fun. It was wonderful to see so many of my colleagues – there were 230 participants representing 29 different countries from around the world. Highlights included:

  • Regional Briefings from five panels: The Spa Industry in Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America and the newer markets of Russia and South Africa
  • A delegation of spa management students from Cornell, The Lausanne Hotel School and UCIrvine.
  • Keynote address by Dr. Richard Carmona (he received a standing ovation)
  • carmona.summit.2008 734866 Global Spa Summit 2008: Spa Economy hits $255 Billion
  • And some interesting breakout sessions such as “The Soulful Spa,” “Deal Makers Give Advice,” and “Investor Insights.”

There was also a bit of controversy which I will share with you as well. For now, have a look at the Summit agenda to give you a sense of the rich content of this event.
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If you wish to be put on a list that automatically sends my blog posts to your email, just let dulcy.gregory@spafinder.com know and she will add you to that list. Thanks so much!

Day Spa Owners at a Destination Spa: Massages, Facials and Fun with Education Sprinkled In at Red Mountain Spa in Utah

Relaxation.Red.Mountain 733866 Day Spa Owners at a Destination Spa: Massages, Facials and Fun with Education Sprinkled In at Red Mountain Spa in UtahDay Spa Owners at a Destination Spa: Massages, Facials, and Fun with Education Sprinkled In at Red Mountain Spa in Utah
Susie Ellis

I hadn’t been to Red Mountain in over 4 years and was happy to experience it again. Milana Knowles, our VP Day Spa Sales and Marketing, held a Day Spa Retreat there with 35 of our partner day spa owners and managers. She invited me to speak to the group as part of the education part of the program.

I noticed a general level of improvement in décor, food and accommodations at Red Mountain. Of course staying in one of their new villas made the whole experience much more luxe than I had ever experienced it before. Their dedicated spa facility was a real improvement over their previous “temporary” treatment rooms. Now there is a nice view with a relaxation room, good product choices, and in general a more spa-like feel. The only problem was that either they didn’t have enough therapists or all of their treatment times were booked solid. Seems they missed out on a lot of business because so many people wanted more treatments (including me) and couldn’t get them. Although more expensive than in the past, it still is a good value. I understand they are almost fully booked in October. And of course the hiking, as always, was spectacular.
hiking.red.mountain 785065 Day Spa Owners at a Destination Spa: Massages, Facials and Fun with Education Sprinkled In at Red Mountain Spa in UtahWe had arranged day spa retreats in the past but this was our first one in a long time – and the first that Milana coordinated. By all counts it seems it was a tremendous success…with the day spa owners having (in many cases) their first destination spa experience. Milana provided most of the education as she is an expert on retail sales and has managed some of the largest day spas in the country. There wasn’t a question she couldn’t answer! Comfort Zone was the sponsor and they were very generous in gifting all of the participants with facials and an array of their full size products.

We reviewed the results of our recent Day Spa Survey 2007 and I even gave them a “sneak peek” of the Top Spa Trends we are considering for 2008. (top secret!) What I like about these retreats is that the day spa owners are willing to share information very openly because they come from all over the country and for the most part do not compete with each other. By the time we all enjoyed the evening Fire Ceremony at the end of the retreat, we had gotten to know each other and become friends. Even shedding some tears together around the fire on that full-moon night, felt surprisingly good.

Future Trend Book for the Holidays

mindset 714986 Future Trend Book for the HolidaysJust arrived in Palm Desert, California, where my husband and I will spend Christmas and New Year’s. On the long flight I had a chance to get into the book my sister recommended recently, John Naisbitt‘s Mind Set!: Reset Your Thinking and See the Future. What a great way to start a vacation for someone who is thinking about future trends (at least in the spa world) for most of the year. I’m loving the book already.