SPA BABY . . .

2^nd WEST COAST ISPA EVENT A SPA BABY'S DREAM

by Bonnie Carroll

Tibetan Chakra Balancing at ISPA

The ISPA gathering of spa experts and media spa specialists convened at the beautiful Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills for the 2^nd annual ISPA West Coast Media Event, and was a full house of media experiencing the latest in new spa trends and products presented by representatives from a collection of outstanding spa destinations throughout the country. The annual event is billed as the place where media come for a world of inspiration, and ISPA is considered the voice of the spa industry.

Gift bags were brimming with hot new products and tools for relaxations and bliss, including skin products, meditation tapes, special exercise equipment, make-up, home-made body scrubs and more. Sponsors for the event included Aspira The Spa, Island Spa Catalina, Stemulation Care, Colorescience, Kohler Waters Spa, Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program, Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, Miraval Resort & Spa, The Oaks at Ojai, Massage Envy Spa, and Spa Montage. Additional sponsors were ResortSuite and Spa Week (Bag Sponsors).

Allie Hembree, public relations manager and the ISPA staff welcomed guests and walked them through the inviting suite, where Montage Chef Patrice Martineau and his staff provided the ultimate in healthy beverages and bites to be enjoyed by all. Cruditee with dips, vegetable salads, cevieche with the works, fresh squeezed juices, fruit desserts and more were plentiful, along with healthy teas and fine wine.

I personally enjoyed a Tibetan Chakra Balancing treatment by a therapist from Miraval Spa in Arizona, and was delighted to meet with former travel spa writer friends attending the event. The Sugar Foot Scrub Massage given by Massage Envy representatives was simply wonderful, and a great treat for anyone with tired feet. Facial by Stemulation was delightful as well, and every treatment given looked so inviting. The guests were very happy with the services offered, and media people are always finding good stories on the latest in spa at ISPA.

Kathy Cluff and her mother Sheila Cluff of the Oaks at Ojai spa said they were delighted to be participating in the ISPA event again this year. Elizabeth, a former manager and great friend of mine was busy helping media, including moi, make their own delicious Ojai pixie tangerine body salts to take home. Mayo Clinic was offering a Postural Analysis to guests, and Kohler Waters Spa of Wisconsin demonstrated the new Banboo Bliss Massage. The Four Seasons Westlake Village was giving mini-hand treatments, and facials were also offered by Stemulations and Island Spa Catalina. Everyone loved the colorscience makeovers and mineral samples.

The event was considered to be yet another great event presented by the ISPA, and we all look forward to attending the 3^rd Annual. For information visit: experienceispa.com.

___________________________________________________________________