LEXINGTON, Ky., Oct. 15 -- After the Austin City Limits music festival concluded, spa professionals from across the globe met Oct. 5-8 in Austin, Tx. for the 19th annual International SPA Association Conference & Expo. Attendees strengthened connections within the spa community, participated in educational sessions, learned about the newest products and most importantly…how to simplify. The Conference theme, “Simplify,” resonated with attendees as they discussed how to get back to the basics of their business. The Conference was filled with many firsts including live Tweeting, a record number of Expo and education hours, speakers and a Power Panel.
The ISPA Conference was documented through tweets by attendees who stayed connected by following @ISPA09 and tweeting about their experience. The arguable kings of Twitter addressed the Conference during the week’s General Sessions. Lance Armstrong (@lancearmstrong) spoke about incorporating wellness into his life by getting “more than 200 massages a year.” The Power Panel - Tony Hsieh (@zappos), CEO, Zappos.com; Jeremy Gutsche (@trendhunter), chief trend hunter, trendhunter.com and Guy Kawasaki (@guykawasaki), managing director, Garage Technology Ventures - discussed the advantages of social media, knowing your audience and giving great customer service. Kawasaki got in on the action by tweeting about his observations. He said that Twitter has made the “nobody into the new somebody,” and that spas can take advantage by offering up-to-the-minute deals.
Conference by the Numbers:
The ISPA Conference & Expo’s 20th anniversary is set for Nov. 15-18, 2010 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on the Potomac in Washington D.C.
About ISPA
ISPA is recognized worldwide as the leading professional organization and voice of the spa industry. More details on ISPA are available on www.experienceispa.com.
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The ISPA Conference was documented through tweets by attendees who stayed connected by following @ISPA09 and tweeting about their experience. The arguable kings of Twitter addressed the Conference during the week’s General Sessions. Lance Armstrong (@lancearmstrong) spoke about incorporating wellness into his life by getting “more than 200 massages a year.” The Power Panel - Tony Hsieh (@zappos), CEO, Zappos.com; Jeremy Gutsche (@trendhunter), chief trend hunter, trendhunter.com and Guy Kawasaki (@guykawasaki), managing director, Garage Technology Ventures - discussed the advantages of social media, knowing your audience and giving great customer service. Kawasaki got in on the action by tweeting about his observations. He said that Twitter has made the “nobody into the new somebody,” and that spas can take advantage by offering up-to-the-minute deals.
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Conference by the Numbers:
- More than 1,600 attendees (200 first-timers) from 25 countries.
- 153 exhibitors with 201 booths launching more than 50 new products.
- 60 speakers dishing out more than 45 hours of education.
- 218 auction items raised $95,000 for the ISPA Foundation’s initiatives.
- 131 pairs of Reeboks donated to the Boys & Girls Club of the Capital Area.
The ISPA Conference & Expo’s 20th anniversary is set for Nov. 15-18, 2010 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on the Potomac in Washington D.C.
About ISPA
ISPA is recognized worldwide as the leading professional organization and voice of the spa industry. More details on ISPA are available on www.experienceispa.com.
Contact: Shelby Jones, 1.859.425.5072, [email protected]
SOURCE International SPA Association
