Tag Archives: National Sleep Foundation

A Father’s Day Surprise: Dads & Spas

Fathers Day 751336 A Fathers Day Surprise: Dads & SpasA Father’s Day Surprise: Dads & Spas
by Susie Ellis

Quite a Father’s Day surprise. Yesterday I received an email from Steve Kane, who is a senior vice president at SpaFinder, with some extremely interesting data. Apparently Father’s Day gift card and gift certificate sales this year have increased quite dramatically. That means that most day spas out there, if they did a Father’s Day promotion, would have also seen large increases. Some may have even doubled their business from last year!

This is the kind of tidbit which I think deserves a ‘blue light.’ Do you remember years ago (well maybe decades ago) when K-Mart would move a flashing blue light next to some merchandise that was a really hot item? Then they would announce over the intercom ‘Blue Light Special,’ ‘Blue Light Special!’ Well, I think the fact that so many people purchased spa gift certificates for Father’s Day this year is a ‘Blue Light Special’ for the spa industry.

Here is why. It signals to me that the we have hit a tipping point. Malcolm Gladwell describes it this way in his book, The Tipping Point, ‘a tipping point is a sociological term which describes the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point.’ Another description, which I like even better, is from Bryan Walsh who wrote in Time magazine, ‘tipping points are levels at which the momentum for change becomes unstoppable’.

Think about it. People are buying spa gift certificates for dads. This would have been unheard of even a decade ago. It means that men going to spas has now become a norm rather than an exception. Spas which have attempted for years to attract men to their facilities for therapeutic massage services or grooming experiences, have gotten their message across.
Taking into account the economically turbulent times makes this increase even more significant. It may also indicate that current stressful times have caused people to think about the value of something nurturing and positive for the men in their lives. Rather than buying dads another tie or tool for the garage, people valued giving dad a break.
Here is how I would sum it up:
1. Men going to spas is now mainstream
2. People recognize that in stressful times, men need help de-stressing
3. Experiences are trumping ‘things’ as gifts for men
4. A new generation is thinking Fathers & Spa go together
5. The spa business is somewhat recession-proof (like alcohol and lipsticks)
It may be a funny thing to get excited about….but I consider this an ‘ah ha!’ moment for our industry and just wanted to share it with you.

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Dr. Richard Carmona Speaks About Spas and Their Vital Role in Global Health: Spas Matter!

dr.carmona.susie.2 786881 Dr. Richard Carmona Speaks About Spas and Their Vital Role in Global Health: Spas Matter!Dr. Richard Carmona Speaks About Spas and Their Vital Role in Global Health: Spas Matter!

by Susie Ellis

Dr. Richard Carmona, the 17th U.S. Surgeon General (2002-2006), was a keynote speaker at the 2008 Global Spa Summit held at the Waldorf Astoria here in New York City last month.
He received a standing ovation!

Here is why I think there was such spontaneous and enthusiastic response to his remarks. Dr. Carmona, who is now Vice Chairman, Canyon Ranch and president, Canyon Ranch Institute, Arizona, said what many of us in the spa industry have been saying for years. The thing is that hearing Dr. Carmona say the words is different than you or me saying them. He spoke with complete conviction, authority, and enthusiasm to ‘make good’ on his words. We believed him. He ‘gets’ spas and the value they bring to society. At last. This is what we have been waiting for.
Here are a few quotes from notes taken during his session, Prevention and Global Health: The Vital Role of Spas.

“We are living in a ‘sick care’ system where we reward providers to wait until we get sick, and then we need to pay more to get better.”
“Most things I have treated as a doctor were preventable and due to sedentary lifestyles, negligence in life, poor diets, smoking, and drinking.”
“Health should not know any geographical borders.”
“Everyone can contribute to change the general health situation. The key is changing people’s behavior. Let’s embrace health and wellness. How do I stay healthy and how can I prevent myself from diseases? Everyone needs to come together as a team to change the health issues globally.”
“Awake the sleeping giant. Combine spa and wellness to prevent the reactive effect to sickness.”
And then his final observations which were music to all of our ears: “The spa industry is taking a very key role in changing the global health situation.”

After his remarks which included his expressed interest in a working relationship with our entire global spa industry, I responded on behalf of the delegation present that we would be very interested in working together as well.

I am happy to report that there is progress. His office called last week and we have a meeting set up next week to begin the dialogue and conversation. Dr. Carmona and the Global Spa Summit working together should be able to accomplish what neither would be able to do as well alone.
Hurray. Good news indeed.

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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!