ISA

The Irish Spa Association (ISA) hosted its second business forum in the stunning surrounds of the Lodge at Ashford Castle in the West of Ireland on Thursday February 6th. Guests travelled from as far as Germany, the UK and Hawaii in the US. With membership increasing from both the hotel and day spa sectors and suppliers, the ISA is set to be a force within the wellness industry in Ireland. Once again sustainability and recruitment topped with the agenda with expert speakers and panels. Michelle Ryan, Spa Manager at Ashford Castle chaired the panel on sustainability that included Ailish Keane, Head of purchasing & Sustainability at Ashford Castle Estate, Maurice Bergin, Green Hospitality Programme (greenhospitality.ie) and Robert Cooper, Spa Sustainability Association (SSA) in the UK. Ashford Castle is a leader in sustainability in the hotel sector in Ireland. Working with Green Hospitality, major changes have been implemented through the Castle estate including the elimination of plastic water bottles in 2019, saving 56,928 bottles from landfill. “In the spa we are partnering with companies with a low carbon footprint,” Ryan adds, “but we need spa suppliers to work with us to,” she pleads. “Look at how you are sending products to us – be mindful of he paper you are using, reduce the boxes and bubble wrap etc,” “Sustainability is the most abused term around,” Bergin says. Sustainability is made up of three pillars: economic, social and environment. These principles are also informally used as profit, people and planet. Green Hospitality specialises in environmental sustainability in the hospitality sector and Bergin urges everyone to do their bit to make our hotels, spas and planet a better place. “Basically, use less energy – pollute less (stop plastic dead!) and waste less - especially food.” “Align your business model with the needs of your customers and of Generation Z (born between 1995- 2015) as this group is forecast to be the single largest consumer market in the world by 2030.” THE LODGE AT ASHFORD CASTLE HOSTS A FULL HOUSE OF IRELAND LEADING BEAUTY, SPA AND WELLNESS OPERATORS, SUPPLIERS AND STAKEHOLDERS FOR THE IRISH SPA ASSOCIATIONS FIRST BUSINESS FORUM OF 2020

“Consumers want more – and we need to provide what they are looking for and going green soon will be the only game in town.” Robert Cooper, co founder of the recently created, not-for-profit Sustainable Spa Association (SPA) outlined their objective of achieving long-term reduction in the environmental impact of the spa industry across Europe, for a greener and healthier future for Spa Operators, Spa Consumers and the planet. GLOBAL WELLNESS DAY First celebrated in 2012, this not-for-profit, social project dedicated to living well is now a worldwide event with over 7,000 locations in 150 countries. Celebrated on the second Saturday in June with the slogan ‘one day can change your whole life,’ Fiona Collins, Global Wellness Day Ambassador and spa director at The Brehon & Angsana Spa, urges ISA members and wellness industry experts to host an event on Saturday June 13th 2020. www.globalwellnessday.org

RECRUITMENT OVERVIEW AND INTERNSHIP PILOT PROGRAMME Quoting Steve Jobs, Anita Murray, Co-Founder of ISA said that ‘Hiring the best is your most important task’ But it can prove a diffcult one with the recent ISA survey finding that 80% of Irish beauty businesses are not operating at optimum staffng levels, with 75% of spa and beauty operators in urgent need of senior therapists. “The Irish Spa Association will represent all members as your authoritative voice to champion the contribution of the Spa to Irish health, social and economic prosperity and ensure your voice is heard when it comes to the critical issues affecting our sector,” Murray adds. Maria Morgan, Managing Director of Beautiful Jobs Ireland, highlighted the current recruitment trends and what employees are looking for in a job. ”Ten years ago jobs were advertised via newspapers, radio and word of mouth. But 2020 means digital job boards, search engines, social networks with candidates seeking a more personalised experience. Candidates are becoming the new customers – and employers the new marketers,” she warns with more emphasis on recruitment marketing, videos, social media and an overall environment insight. The recent ISA survey found that 81% of spa/salon owners and managers are facing recruitment challenges. Other noted challenges include a notable decline in numbers of people choosing spa therapy as a career. From education sector Sinead Hunt, Westport College of Further Education, Gillian Byrne, Blackrock Further Education Institute, Ger Kingston and Sandra Mc Grath, Cork College Commerce and Anna Keeley, Brownyn Conroy in Dublin jointly highlighted a college-wide reduction in class sizes, with students viewing this professional as relatively poorly paid. All agreed that students need to be mentored, motivated, trusted and respected. They also need a work-life balance and there is a lot more employers can do, apart from money, to keep them motivated. INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME Tanya Mansfield, Hayfield Manor and Michelle O-Connor, Druids Glen in collaboration with BFEI and CCOC developed a pilot internship programme for beauty and holistic students. Designed to market the spa industry to students, with the results of a survey finding 82% of students were interested in this opportunity. “AS employers we need to market ourselves to colleges so students will know about us,” O’ Connor adds. ISA intends to work with ITEC and BIBTAC-accredited colleges to progress this programme.

WELLNESS INCLUSION With ‘Burnout’ now being an offcial m edical diagnosis by World health Organisation (WHO) our industry is needed now, more than ever before. The objective of Michelle Hammond’s TPOT, the power of touch is to eradicate the challenges of treating clients with cancer and other limiting health conditions in Irish Spas & Salons and to ensure we are always accessible and inclusive. The ISA wants to build a roadmap for inclusion and code of best practice for cancer, dementia and other chronic illness. The ISA wishes to thank its sponsors and Ashford Castle for making this event possible. “We are not for profit, we are not a commercial venture,” concludes co-founder Peigin Crowley.“We want to build a serious educational forum for renowned speakers, for benchmarking and accreditation.” The meeting culminated with a professional workshop entitled Soul Craft: ‘The Value of Your Work in Wellbeing’ with Karuna, founder of Hub for the Heart and Wellness Mentor for the ISA. The ISA welcomes input from everyone working across the beauty, spa and wellness sector and all inquiries, membership information or feedback can be directed to: info@irishspaassociation.ie www.irishspaassociation.ie