by Linda Bankoski and Julie Register

The International Standards of SpaExcellence^SM2008

Each year SpaQuality LLC (Linda Bankoski and myself, Julie Register) update The International Standards of SpaExcellence^SM with improvements based on our experiences with and knowledge of best practices in high performance organizations and recommendations from spa consultants, owners, directors, GMs and guests.

We are very excited about the just-released International Standards of SpaExcellence^SM2008! This year we've added detailed guidance, tools and examples to help explain and illustrate the practical application of each section of The Standards.

We added detail on risk management with the addition of a risk analysis process, form and example that includes actual calculations to help spa managers identify their greatest risks and help them prioritize their efforts and resources. Some of the other tools and examples include:

Spas all over the world have purchased The Standards since the first edition was published in 2004. Spa owners, spa directors, spa managers, spa consultants and general managers of hotels or resorts with spas will find the information found in The International Standards of SpaExcellence^SM2008 extremely valuable.

Availability: The International Standards of SpaExcellence^SM2008 will be ready to ship mid-March.
Description: 86-pages, 8.5" x 11", spiral bound
ISBN: 978-0-9815649-0-6
Cost: $195 US, includes shipping in the US (email julie.register@dol.net for a quote to ship outside the US)
Payment: Pay by credit card through PayPal by clicking the button below

or send a check with shipping information to:
Julie Register
Managing Director, Operations
SpaQuality LLC
1024 Oriente Avenue
Greenville, DE 19807

Click here for more details on The International Standards of SpaExcellence^SM2008...

Montecatini Spa, Italy
March's featured photo: Montecatini Spa, Italy
Size: 13" x 19"
Price: $450 US includes shipping in the USA

Go to the DiscoverSpas.com Spa Art Gallery and Store for additional image sizes and more photos.

This is the ninth month I am featuring the Spa Photography of artist Linda Troeller. Linda is an award-winning photographer who has been featured in the New York Times, Marie Claire Magazine, Healing Retreats and Lifestyles, GQ Magazine, Forbes Magazine and a number of publications for spa professionals. She is the creator of Spa Journeys and Healing Waters. Troeller's style captures the fluidity of water and the luminosity of physical shapes in spa settings. I had the pleasure of spending time with Linda at Toskana Therme in Bad Sulza, Germany where many of her photographs adorn the walls. A new giclee print, signed by the artist, will be featured each month.
~Julie

Win Trips to Spas!

Be sure to enter the 16 contests and sweepstakes that end in March for a chance to win:

- a prize worth $15,000 including $10,000 spending cash, 5 days/4 nights at the Gran Melia in Puerto Rico, Airfare for 2 people, High-end luggage, Spa treatment, Dinner, Sunset and dinner tour boat charter, Golf, Horseback riding and Cooking class with chef to learn local cuisine.

- a $2750, two-night trip to Miami for Cosmo's Record-Breaking Bikini Challenge including accommodations, airfare, a nutritionist/trainer session, a spa package, a bathing suit, and products from Nivea.

- a $3,900+ trip for 2 to the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa including air transportation, 2 nights accommodations, a $400 Spa gift certificate, a $200 American Express gift card and a Maybelline prize package.

- a $500 Spa Gift Certificate.

- a spa gift certificate for you and 4 friends and 5 BlackBerry Pink Pearl Smartphones. Total value: $5,000.

- a trip for 2 to the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa resort in Ojai, CA including air travel, 4 days / 3 nights accommodations, use of a rental car for 4 days, 3 luxurious spa treatments per person (gratuity included), use of Spa Facilities, 1 round of golf for 2, and a $700 food and beverage card.

- $5,000 USD that may be used toward a trip for two to a spa resort of winner's choice.

- 2 nights of accommodations at Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa, breakfast for two each morning of your stay, a Ferrari F430 to cruise the California coast for half a day, limo transport to and from an exquisite yacht for a romantic harbor cruise, dinner for two in the hotel's award-winning restaurant, Adobe El, and a couple's massage.

- two $350 USD Spafinder.com gift cards, 1 for the winner and 1 for a guest.

- Four days and three nights at the luxurious Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona. There you'll have unlimited use of the spa facilities, a selection of 45 complimentary fitness classes and three gourmet meals every day.

- one of 5 stress relieving spa getaways - choose from 1) Canyon Ranch Spa, in Tucson, AZ, 2) Ritz Carlton Marina del Rey Hotel and Spa, in Los Angeles, CA, 3)The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, in Miami, FL, 4) Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman Silver Rain Spa, in the Cayman Islands or 5) Grand Hyatt Kauai ANARA Spa, in Kauai, HI.

- a $3,000 Spa Weekend Getaway

- a 2-night, $4,500 spa trip.

- A $8,700, 5-day/4-night trip for 2 to a Spa Resort in Las Vegas NV, Los Angeles CA, Tempe AZ or Gulf Breeze FL.

- an all-inclusive four-day, three-night spa resort trip for two, including airfare worth $3,200 USD.

- One of 7 unique vactions including a 4 day/3 night trip for two to Las Vegas, Nevada with tickets to KA by Cirque du Soleil, dinner for two at Fiamma and spa admission passes for two to the MGM Grand Spa or a 4 day/3 night trip for two to San Diego, California including dinner at Mistral and spa treatments for two at Sea Spa

Enter the Contests and Sweepstakes...