Spa People in the News

ISPA To Recognize Pat & Juanita Corbett As Dedicated Contributors

LEXINGTON, Ky. - 7/17/2009 - Two spa industry leaders will be honored during the 2009 International SPA Association's Conference & Expo, Oct. 5-8 at the Hilton Austin and the Austin Convention Center in Austin, TX. Pat and Juanita Corbett co-founders of The Hills Health Ranch in British Columbia are the recipients of the ISPA Dedicated Contributor award. The couple has dedicated their lives to wellness with a strong emphasis on international relations within the spa industry.

"The Corbett's have been dedicated members of the association since 1994, and as members of the ISPA Board of Directors and ISPA Committees they played an integral role in ensuring that the "I" in ISPA was never overlooked. We look forward to honoring them this October at Conference," said ISPA Chairman Jean Kolb.

The ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award is given to an active ISPA member who has contributed significantly to the growth of the association. The recipient will have demonstrated leadership and commitment to ISPA and has extensively assisted in the promotion of the association, as well as its mission and vision.

Upon learning of this recognition, Pat Corbett said, "It was important to Juanita and I to make ISPA the engine that would give the international spa industry a voice with "horse-power" and influence. The need to network, learn from industry peers and conduct research to influence governments and the media were all priorities for us that we knew can only come when you harness and use the power of the unity of an entire industry."

In 1982 the Corbett's opened The Hills Health Ranch, the first year-round destination health and fitness vacation resort in Canada. The Hills Health Ranch sits upon 20,000 acres and boasts a winter snow park, stables and The Canadian Wellness Centre. Not only do they run the award winning ranch, but the Corbett's also own Spa Expertise Canada Ltd., a spa product import and distribution company that supplies more than 350 spas in Canada. Another venture started by Juanita and co-owned by Pat is Canadian Natural Oils Ltd., a company that harvests, extracts, bottles and distributes essential oils from regional indigenous plants.

The Corbett's will accept the 2009 Dedicated Contributor award during the General Session on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Other 2009 awards recipients include Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, accepting the ISPA Alex Szekely Humanitarian Award during the closing General Session on Thursday, Oct. 8; and Dr. Howard Murad, accepting the ISPA Visionary Award on Monday, Oct. 5. If you are interested in learning more about the 2009 ISPA Conference & Expo, please visit the ISPA Web site. Registration is open, and the easiest way to register is online.

About the International SPA Association
ISPA is recognized worldwide as the leading professional organization and voice of the spa industry. Founded in 1991, ISPA advances the spa industry by providing invaluable educational and networking opportunities, promoting the value of the spa experience and speaking as the authoritative voice to foster professionalism and growth. More details on ISPA are available on http://www.experienceispa.com/.