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May 2008

May 31, 2008

New Job Openings Posted to the SpaWire Job Board

The comprehensive Job Board at SpaWire.com has been updated with new openings, both full time and part time, for those seeking  employment or a career in the day spa, spa hotel, spa resort, and destination spa industry.

Current Job Board Posts: 85

JOB SPOTLIGHTS:

MASSAGE THERAPISTS
ESTHETICIANS
SPA SUPERVISOR
SPA RECEPTIONST

Sought by Spa Esencia at Hyatt Regency Trinidad
Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies, Caribbean

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May 30, 2008

Lodging Interactive To Provide Spa Industry with Internet Marketing Services

Lodging Interactive, one of the industry’s leading hospitality Internet marketing agencies, has announced the launch of Spa Interactive to drive online revenue maximization for Spas and Health Clubs. Spa Interactive is designed to offer comprehensive marketing strategies and solutions for those running and maintaining health spas.

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Chaminade Resort & Spa, Monterey, California, Completes Comprehensive Renovation

Benchmark Hospitality International, which operates Chaminade Resort & Spa, has formally announced the completion of the comprehensive $15 million renovation of the historic property overlooking Monterey Bay in California. The renovation program included all public areas, the restaurant & lounge, guestrooms, as well as meeting and event spaces.

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May 29, 2008

Cosmetic Con: Some Clients Say Med Spas Misleading

Medical spas have cropped up everywhere, a billion-dollar industry that offers non-surgical alternatives to cosmetic surgery.  But in response to complaints, the 2 Investigators found one chain that's misleading and harming clients, and as CBS 2 Investigator Pam Zekman reports, leaving some of them in the middle of a cosmetic con.

The seven NuU Medspas in the Chicago area aggressively promote Lipodissolve, a series of injections that supposedly will melt your fat away. The ads talk about reduced inches with no knives, no tubes, and no pain -- a deceptive ad, patients say.

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Stay Safe from Day Spa Dangers

"You know you don't want things done to your face that you don't know anything about, so I tried to do my homework."  Linda Hampton made that decision before undergoing laser hair removal. She knew there were risks involved and wanted to be safe.  "I was a little apprehensive because I was afraid to tell you the truth but after I had it the first time I had no problem."

Dr. Jim McNatt with Georgia's Medical Board says among things like Botox injections, and chemical peels, laser hair removal is the number one cosmetic procedure being offered at day spas and salons, but there's concern.

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Global Spa Economy Estimated at $225 Billion A Year According To First-Ever Study Unveiled at 2008 Global Spa Summit

The global spa economy is estimated to be over $250 billion, according to a major report unveiled this week at the 2008 Global Spa Summit in New York.  Prepared by SRI International on behalf of The Global Spa Summit, the first-ever Global Spa Economy Report represents the most comprehensive effort yet to quantify the rapidly expanding global spa industry. More than 220 industry leaders from around the world attended this year's summit, which was highlighted by keynote speeches from hotelier Ian Schrager and Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th Surgeon General of the United States and Vice Chairman of Canyon Ranch.

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May 28, 2008

Bikini Waxing for Tweens! Have Spas Gone Too Far?

The simple mother-daughter stress-reducing day at the spa — complete with perfect manicures and pedicures — has morphed into a full-fledged booming beauty business. Some spas now are giving their tween clients resort-type treatments and pint-size pampering. The offerings go beyond the typical painted nails.

Catering to a kid's every possible desire, some spas have stepped up their tween care by offering hair highlights, microdermabrasion and bikini waxes for girls as young as 11 and 12.

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Interview with Susan Harmsworth of Espa

Sitting with Susan Harmsworth in the sunny breakfast solarium at Gleneagles Hotel, she leans over and brushes my cheek. "You really need a facial," she says gently, sympathetically. Coming from her, it doesn't sound like an insult, although it does sound like a salespitch :  Harmsworth sells spas.

She is the founder and driving force of Espa, a renowned spa design and management company as well as high-end spa product manufacturer based in Surrey.  In February, she became partly owned by a leading Dubai sovereign wealth fund, which means her already global luxury brand is about to go platinum.

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Spa wars in Australia

The Mornington Peninsula(Australia) will take on the Hepburn Springs-Daylesford region for the title of Victoria's premier spa destination.  Peninsula spa owners held a strategy summit in March and voted to form a regional association to boost their industry.

"We looked at how we can promote this area as a spa destination," says Alana Dyer, manager of the Peninsula Life Medispa in Mornington. "We really think we can make an impression."

Toppling the traditional titleholder - the central springs area centered on Hepburn Springs and Daylesford - would shake up the state's spring and massage industry and further boost tourism on the peninsula.

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May 27, 2008

LiveSpa Magazine by ISPA debuts June 2008

In 2008, the International SPA Association will build upon its reputation as the voice of the spa industry by debuting LiveSpa. To be published in June, this inaugural publication will focus on educating the spa consumer.

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Spas Take Heat for Offering Ear Candling

At a time when people turn to specialists for everything from detoxing their feet to washing their hair, it appears that the age-old Q-Tip solution to ear wax just isn't cutting it anymore. Enter ear candling, the controversial 15-minute ear cleansing solution done in doctors' offices and spas throughout the country.

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UC Irvine Extension Offers New Spa Management Courses

University of California, Irvine Extension announces the newest online elective courses added to its renowned Spa and Hospitality Management certificate program. Uniquely developed to meet the demands of the burgeoning spa market, "Integrating the Business of Wellness in Your Spa" and "Quality Management for Spas," address the multitude of details involved in day-to-day spa operations. UC Irvine Extension is the first in the United States to offer a Certificate Program in Spa and Hospitality Management in a completely online platform; making it easier for busy professionals to gain the education needed at the flexibility of their schedules.

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Recession? Relax. Spas build sales through corporate clients

The consuming masses may be worried about making ends meet, but the luxury hotel spa industry is finding new ways to attract business. They're reaching out to corporations. 

"Companies are looking for the perfect outing to entertain their best clients or reward their best employees," said Pamela Margolis, co-owner and president of the Hotel Ivy Spa Club in downtown Minneapolis. "You don't have to be good at spa-ing -- there's nothing to practice. It's more flexible than organizing a round of golf ... and it doesn't take six hours out of your day."

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May 14, 2008

BIOTONE Introduces Facial Therapy MicroRefiner with Bio-Firming Complex

BIOTONE introduces Facial Therapy MicroRefiner with Bio-Firming Complex at the International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conferences (IECSC) in New York. The latest addition to the BIOTONE Spa family of facial products is a gentle microdermabrasion creme for the face, neck and décolleté. It prepares the skin for a facial massage or treatment and also reduces the appearance of pores and fine lines to provide smooth, younger looking skin.

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Steiner Leisure Limited Announces Agreement to Operate a Luxury Spa in Bali

Steiner Leisure Limited (NASDAQ:STNR) recently announced that its luxury resort spa division, Mandara Spa, has entered into a ten-year agreement to operate a deluxe spa facility at the Ayodya Resort Bali, Bali, Indonesia. The resort is located in the heart of Nusa Dua, a premier resort community in the South of Bali, with a stunning location overlooking the Indian Ocean.  Steiner Leisure will invest $700,000 to create the new spa, which is anticipated to open by the end of November 2008.

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May 13, 2008

The Westin National Harbor Awakens the Senses in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announces the opening of The Westin National Harbor, a newly constructed, sophisticated hotel in Prince Georges County, Maryland. The 195-room hotel is part of the upscale National Harbor development, a 300-acre, waterfront lifestyle center that combines the best in dining, shopping and entertainment.   Guests are invited to rejuvenate at The Westin WORKOUT® fitness center or pamper themselves with a selection of indulgent spa amenities as part of the industry-leading Westin in-room spa program.

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Shady Day Sunscreen Wipes receives honors

Shady Day Inc., the company that combined high-quality sunscreen protection with mess free wipe-on application, today announced that its Shady Day Daily Sun Protection Wipes SPF 30 have received an Honors Award in the 2008 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Parenting Resources competition. The award is the latest in a succession of honors for Shady Day including being named Best New Sunscreen by Luxury Spa Finder in 2007 and Best New Cosmetic Product at the Extracts Beauty and Wellness meeting in 2006.

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Life Time Fitness Announced Grand Opening of Resort Spa Center in Missouri

Life Time Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: LTM) today announced that the Grand Opening of its newest sports and athletic, professional fitness, family recreation and resort-spa center in the St. Louis suburb of Ellisville, Missouri, will occur Saturday, June 7, 2008, at 6:00 a.m. The center, Life Time Fitness West County, is the Companys first location in the St. Louis market.

Life Time Fitness members, area residents and special guests are invited to take part in a VIP preview celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 5, 2008, beginning at 6:45 p.m. The event will offer tours of the distinctive new facility and feature opportunities to experience program demonstrations and activities.

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May 12, 2008

Epi Center Eco MedSpa Celebrates

More than 400 San Franciscans turned out yesterday to celebrate the new Epi Center Eco MedSpa, the first eco medspa of its kind in the nation. The Epi Center opened the doors to its new LEED certified space in April to mark Earth Month and its 10th Anniversary as one of the countrys premier medical spas.

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New Spa Courses from UC Irvine Extension

University of California, Irvine Extension announces the newest online elective courses added to its renowned Spa and Hospitality Management certificate program. Uniquely developed to meet the demands of the burgeoning spa market, Integrating the Business of Wellness in Your Spa and Quality Management for Spas, address the multitude of details involved in day-to-day spa operations. UC Irvine Extension is the first in the United States to offer a Certificate Program in Spa and Hospitality Management in a completely online platform; making it easier for busy professionals to gain the education needed at the flexibility of their schedules.

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Hilton Hotels and Resorts Rejuvenate Spa Offerings with L’Occitane

Hilton Hotels and Resorts announced today a partnership with French luxury cosmetics and toiletries company LOccitane to redesign the hotel companys full service spas, menu of services and spa product offerings.

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Conde Nast Hottest New Spas

The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg is named in the May issue of Condé Nast Traveler as one of nine spas in the United States to make the magazine's annual list of the hottest new hotels, restaurants, spas and clubs in the world.   To develop the list, the magazine's editors anonymously visited hundreds of new properties, evaluating each one on a standard set of criteria.

In addition to The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, the eight other American spas named to the list are Spa Solage, Calistoga, Calif.; Voda Spa, Calif.; Spa Desert Springs, Calif.; Spa at Grand Del Mar, Calif.; Drift Spa, Las Vegas, Nev.; Spa at Four Seasons, Austin, Texas, Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, Texas; and Solitude Spa, Jackson Hole, Wyo.

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May 07, 2008

Red Mountain Spa Internship Program

The internship program at Red Mountain Spa in Southern Utah offers a unique opportunity for students to experience full service resort operation on the path of pursuing a career. Working directly with professionals at Red Mountain Spa provides all interns with hands on experience in their selected area of interest.

Interns are provided with the following:

  • Accommodations and meals while staying in residence
  • Use of the resort facilities
  • Discounts on services and products
  • A healthy, smoke-free / drug-free environment
  • Wonderful learning experience working with professionals in chosen field

All internships require liability coverage through the student's school for any occurrences while working at Red Mountain Spa. There is no compensation earned while fulfilling an internship.

Visit Red Mountain Spa Online