LEXINGTON, Ky. - As spa attendance continues to rise and new spas are being built in large and small towns across the globe, spa professionals are utilizing educational opportunities that will ensure the industry's continued success. Last fall, ISPA and the ISPA Foundation created their Supervisory Skill Builders series and the Certified Spa Supervisor program for the spa industry. ISPA is proud to recognize the first spa professionals who have completed the program and passed the exam earning them the impressive ISPA Certified Spa Supervisor designation.

"The Supervisory Skill Builders program launched last October during the 2003 ISPA Conference & Expo. With 10 Certified Spa Supervisors already, and hundreds moving in that direction, it demonstrates how dedicated spa professionals are to furthering their education," said ISPA President Jeff Kohl. "ISPA applauds them for their initiative in advancing the industry as a whole."

The program is designed for individuals who are beginning a spa management career or current spa supervisors seeking advanced education. The exam tests supervisors'comprehension of nine workbooks as well as supervisory knowledge gained on the job. The Certified Spa Supervisor exam is held in conjunction with ISPA events throughout the year or through an approved proctor. The spa professionals who recently earned the Certified Spa Supervisor designation include:

The Supervisory Skill Builders program consists of nine books such as "Motivation and Team Building" and "Conducting Orientation and Training."Each book is customized with specific case studies from the spa industry. Printed in English, the workbooks are currently being translated into Chinese, which is expected to be completed this fall. The Supervisory Skill Builders books and Certified Spa Supervisor application are available online at www.experienceispa.com.

About ISPA
ISPA is recognized worldwide as the leading professional organization and voice of the spa industry. Founded in 1991, ISPA's membership is comprised of approximately 2,000 health and wellness facilities and providers from 63 countries. ISPA strives to advance the professionalism of the spa industry by providing invaluable educational and networking opportunities, to promote the value of the spa experience to society, and to be the authoritative voice of the spa industry.

Spas are devoted to enhancing overall well-being through a variety of professional services that encourage the renewal of mind, body and spirit.

About the ISPA Foundation
The ISPA Foundation is the 501(c) 3 arm of ISPA and was created in 1999 to serve the educational and research needs of the spa industry. The Foundation's mission is to improve and enhance the value of the spa experience, and its vision is to advance spa culture to sustain health and well-being. The ISPA Foundation Core Values are as follows: