“Happy Fall Ya’ll”
September has arrived! Just saying that sets off my inner most emotions and memories that summer has ended and fall is tiptoeing in. Although I no longer live in New York waiting for those magnificent colors to turn on trees, anxiously anticipating that delightful fall weather, I continue to hang onto my NY roots, watching through the eyes of my family up north. But I also eagerly await the season to change in Florida, having now lived here for 22 years. September in the Sunshine State signals the close-at-hand end of hurricanes, the start of football games, the Jewish New Year and most of all, the approaching delightful weather which make snowbirds flock to Florida. It also sparks preparation and expectation for the start of “the busy season” in our spa community. Although this past summer, typically known to be our “slow season” was quite the opposite of sluggish, as we experienced a surge in spa appointments and retail sales. The Florida Spa market surpassed goals by far this past summer, with booming numbers and anecdotal evidence that supports staying on track for business to sky-rocket this coming season. Still in a pandemic, our spa community has taken on the challenge of our time, turning it around through creativity and perseverance. With health and safety on the forefront, advancements have been welcomed into our spas. Clean air technology engineered to eliminate airborne impurities along with forward-thinking sanitation are now available along with new cutting edge discoveries using high tech and touch-less equipment for wellness experiences, providing anti-aging and relaxation with many health benefits. Although traditional spa services remain top tier, high sanitation standards have risen to the utmost in safety and cleanliness by adopting new disinfecting measures and protocols to maintain the health of guests and staff members as we move forward this fall.
September 27th also marks our 4th time holding the FSA event at the private and prominent Ocean Reef Club. This year our “Connect & Inspire” event is in collaboration with ISPA, powered up to drive our education. With a sold out vendor showcase, plans are all set for an exhilarating program designed for our spa leaders and community. Proudly our top-notch Vendor Partners will exhibit their innovative brands, with some offering pampering spa treatments. Included will be many added features such as a healthy plated lunch, cocktail reception, deluxe giveaways, prizes and so much more……most of all, this event will be an exciting opportunity to reunite while keeping it safe. The health of our guests is always our number one priority!
Lastly, September includes a time that hits us all. Heartfelt recollections and sadness, as we memorialize September 11th and the loss of nearly 3000 people during a series of coordinated terrorist attacks on our nation. It was one of the most destructive days in America’s history and changed our way of life. But it also brought our nation together as we saw some of the bravest acts in American history. We will always honor the heroes of 9/11 for their bravery and pledge to never forget their sacrifice.
Wishing Wellness,
Ilana
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Congratulations to our Movers & Shakers
Our extraordinary Spa Industry is continuously evolving through innovation and transformation.
Highly appreciated professionals in the Spa community take on new challenges and positions
as they start a new venture in their career.
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Brian Brytus
Director of Spa
Nobu Eden Roc Hotel, Miami Beach
Cheers to Brian who recently accepted the position of Spa Director at Escenia Wellness Spa located in the iconic Nobu Eden Roc Hotel. Esencia Wellness Spa, managed by WTS International, is a definitive luxurious escape for the body and mind offering tranquility for personalized renewal and relaxation with deluxe treatments. Brian, who has over 20 years’ experience in hospitality and with more than 11 years in management is primed to spearhead his team, which is bound for success. Previously Brian had been Head of Department at Soho House and Company for over 6 ½ years and prior to that, Head of Department at Morgan’s Hotel Group. Brian has been a welcomed addition at his Spa and the WTS International family and a sure bet to flourish in his new role.
Lots of luck, Brian!
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Chawnacee Bryan
Director of Health & Wellness
Sailfish Point Club, Stuart,
Chawnacee was newly appointed as the Director of Health & Wellness at Sailfish Point Club, a private 532 acre sea island club community surrounded by water at the southern tip of Hutchinson Island. In her new role, Chawnacee will lead her staff of seasoned professionals to provide innovative health and wellness services at her spa. Previously Chawnacee was Director of Spa & Fitness at The Biltmore Hotel for nearly 2 years. Chawnacee, a veteran hospitality executive with a strong focus on wellness management has more than 20 years of experience in the wellness industry, running 5-star spas. Chawnacee is an expert in discovering and delivering natural and healing tactics from around the world and will be an outstanding addition to her new spa family.
Congratulations Chawnacee!
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Alicia Howell, Regional Vice-President for Ready Care Florida
This past month, Alicia was named Regional Vice President for Ready Care Florida. Alicia’s background includes education in Massage and Esthetics which will help pave the way for her new position. Previously Alicia served as the Executive Spa Director for Remington Hotels and Spas (La Concha and Pier House Spas), managing both Spas in Key West Florida. Alicia has been in the hospitality industry for over 22 years as an Executive Spa, Fitness and Recreation Director at prestigious properties and provides expertise in Spa management with oversight on revenue, inventory, marketing, training, product knowledge, productivity, budgets, and team building. Ready Care is a leading provider of personal care amenities, supplies & private label solutions to world-class hotels, spas, health clubs & golf clubs and we know that Alicia will achieve great success in her new role. Congratulations Alicia!
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"Voice-It" Spa Talk with Mitchell
The View From Europe
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Maybe it is “misery loves company” talking, but on a recent trip to Lisbon & Porto, Portugal, I visited two great spas. At each the COVID protocols were being followed, one in Lisbon had saunas & steam rooms open, while the one in Porto did not. Each had different approaches to complimentary snacks: the spa in Lisbon did not have anything other than water in plastic bottles, and the one in Porto had tea and cucumber water dispensers with glass cups that had paper lids and little individually sealed Ball jars with clamps for the nuts and butter cookies. The take-a-way from this experience was that even 4,700 miles away from Miami, each does its best to serve their clients and offer a safe destination for spa services. The difference, Portugal is #2 in the world for vaccinations at 87% and the USA is 18th with 62% vaccinated. Both countries have a “life goes on” philosophy, but one is doing so with less lives being lost or infected. That was my view from Europe last week.
Stay Cheerful! Mitch
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Mitchell Berkman
Spa & Wellness Director
Porto Vita Club at Villa Grande
FSA Committee Chair - Events
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September 1st started the new “biennium” for Florida Massage Therapists. The rule that allowed for relevant, hands-on classes to be taken through distance learning was only valid for the 2019-2021 biennium. This means all classes for relevant, hands-on continuing education must be acquired through live in person classroom hours.
On September 23rd the Florida Board of Massage will have a rules workshop to determine what the details of "massage therapy assessment" will look like.
The FSMTA Legislative Team will return to Tallahassee in October to meet with Legislators to educate and promote the Massage Therapy Profession. During this visit we will meet with several key members of the Florida Legislature and provide chair massage on the 3rd Floor Rotunda of the Florida Capitol Building.
The Florida Board of Massage Therapy will hold their next quarterly board meeting October 28th and 29th at the Renaissance World Golf Resort in St. Augustine.
If you would like more information on all upcoming Board of Massage Meetings please visit the following link:
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Ian McIntosh, LMT
FSMTA Board Member
FSA Regulatory Committee
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Be sure to visit the new
Florida Spa & Wellness Association website
We made the new website faster, easier to navigate,
and more user friendly!
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Be Connected . Be Involved . Grow your Business
VISIT US
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Returning to Ocean Reef Club for the 4th time!
If you missed going to ISPA.......ISPA is coming to FSA!
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"Education is the passport to the future,
for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today!"
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“You don't build a business, you build people,
then people build the business.”
Thanking our Vendor Partners
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Brian David Douglas, Director of Spa & Recreation, Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach
In March 2020 the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach, an oceanfront luxury resort in South Florida, announced the appointment of Brian David Douglas as Spa Manager of the 290 all-suite resort situated on Fort Lauderdale’s exclusive North Beach.
From the time that Brian was initially proclaimed Spa Manager, Brian has proven to be an exemplary Spa Leader resulting in his promotion to Director of Spa & Recreation within a short time frame. Brian led his team throughout the pandemic, steadily superseding all sales and has been responsible for spearheading all operations at the property’s CONRAD Spa to provide guests with an unparalleled ambiance, experience and intuitive service. Boasting a dual license as an esthetician and massage therapist, the spa aficionado brings more than 13 years of industry experience with him to the Conrad. Brian’s professional skills with his fusion of contemporary luxury and Southern charm to build and lead his spa team has advanced the atmosphere and prestige of the Conrad Spa.
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A conscious approach to skin and planet with sustainable solutions to recreate your
skin’s natural [ comfort zone ]
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COMPANY BACKGROUND
THE BRAND
Conceived in 1996, [ comfort zone ] is the skincare division of Davines Group, a family-owned, B-Corp certified company located in Parma, Italy. The brand’s continual evolution and pursuit of excellence rests in the vision and scientific background of its president, Dr. Davide Bollati, pharmacist and cosmetic chemist. Created with people in mind, not just their skin, [ comfort zone ] products are formulated without parabens, fillers, or animal testing and are manufactured in Italy with energy from renewable resources. The brand’s higher purpose is to encourage individuals to take care of themselves and to live more soulfully. The brand’s collaborative team of doctors and scientists are dedicated to ongoing research aimed at understanding the skin and how to best guarantee its beauty and vitality. This ensures that every skin care solution is the most innovative and effective integrated response to a specific skin need.
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10 Actionable Tips to Boost Your Spa Retail Sales in 2021
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Due to their high-profit margin, retail sales have always played an important role in increasing the overall profit for the spa business. So if you haven’t given your retail sales the importance they deserve, it’s high time you should.
Here are 10 actionable tips to boost your spa retail sales in 2021:
- Choose the right products to sell at your spa
- Perfect your spa displays
- Train and educate your staff
- Set sales targets and incentivize your employees
- Employ personalized marketing
- Offer a test drive
- Give offers and discounts
- Bundle up
- Reward your customers through loyalty programs
- At last, promote!
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The pandemic has made mental well-being a public health must!
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- With mental health symptoms surging during the pandemic, nurturing mental wellness has become a collective social responsibility.
- Early diagnosis and self-care can help manage the progression of mental illnesses and reduce healthcare costs.
- Great self-care means expanding the range of mental-health services available to the public.
With the psychological impact of the pandemic likely to linger for years, self-care is not a luxury but a public health necessity. Focusing on mental wellness is a collective social responsibility. As third and fourth waves of COVID-19 surge in some parts of the world, highly vaccinated countries are cautiously reopening, breathing more freely, hopeful in early indications that inoculation will keep virus and variants under control. As we look ahead, we must also find solutions to supporting and improving mental health.
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Why Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry Must be Our Top Priority
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As we look forward, past the coronavirus pandemic and into an economic recovery, sustainability in the hospitality industry must be our top priority.
As we look forward, past the coronavirus pandemic and into an economic recovery, sustainability in the hospitality industry must be our top priority in accordance with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). We draw on the knowledge and expertise from Dr. Emma Wong, Program Director (Postgraduate) at BMIHMS and why this comes into focus on the road ahead.
We are in a moment of unprecedented environmental and climate crisis, and on track to exceed the safe ceiling of 1.5C warming within 12 years or less. However, we are also slowly recovering from a disruptive pandemic at a moment of crucial opportunity.
In an editorial for the Telegraph published last December, Inger Anderson, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), explains why we should think beyond going back to normal after COVID-19:
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SPA GUIDELINES COVID-19
FLORIDA SPA SUGGESTIONS
We thank our FSA Vendor Partners and Collaborating Spa Organizations for their contribution to our Spa Guidelines, COVID-19 FSA Manual & Suggestions. We also express gratitude for our exceptional FSA Team for their hard work in putting together this manual to help our Florida Spa Community reopen their spa doors with safety and ambiance in mind. Check out these spa guidelines using the link below and you can download the manual using the link.
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Skillet Creamy French Mustard Chicken
Believe it or not, this elegant dish comes together in about 30 minutes using only one skillet
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Let "THE SOURCE" be with you!
Enter "THE SOURCE", on the FSA website.
Education & Resources is our priority!
"The Source" was created to be your platform for resources and up to date information
to stay ahead of the curve of everything happening in the spa industry!
BEST SPA ASSOCIATION SERVING FLORIDA SINCE 2009!
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CONTACT US
The Florida Spa Association
Phone: (561) 413-5843
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ABOUT US
Florida Spa Association network of spa professionals is unified by the desire to promote Florida as the finest destination for wellness and beauty experiences in the country.
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