Founded in 2001 SPAA — The Spa Association was founded out of a labor of love. In the infancy of the spa industry in the United States, consumers, spa owners and spa team members had a lot of questions. Who do we hire to do what in my state? How do I train my staff? What do we call our spa; what is a, “spa?”
Executive Director, Melinda Minton, founded SPAA to assist all spas in achieving excellence in every way. From her own experience as a spa owner and product developer, Minton knew first hand the 24 hour a day, seven days a week of operating a spa. “It can seem like an endless marathon,” Minton says. SPAA attempts to be the back-office group of talent that your business can benefit from. “Growing and sharing great energy with both one’s staff and guests is like walking on a cloud. Imagine the delicate balance and grace it would take to dance on a cloud through rain, hail, snow, blazing heat and still be able to produce a rainbow—or a double rainbow. I’ll take that challenge any day, because the joy experienced by the guest and the talented staff member is magical—unforgettable,” says Minton.
For the consumer SPAA provides a resource for industry advice, understanding of the selection of a spa or wellness facility as well as information on spa travel options. For the industry professional, SPAA provides a plethora of resources from start up to completion and every stage in between. For the media SPAA bridges the divide between questions, new treatments, age-old tradition and creates the connection to the most appropriate professional(s).
