Extracts Announces Best New Product Awards

Extracts announced the Best New Product Awards at the August exhibition of more than 140 new products in beauty and wellness. DayNa Decker was named Best of Show winner for its Botanika Collection, a range of candles, diffusers, and bath and body products. The winners and finalists were selected by a panel of editors based on design, use of materials/construction, and use of materials/technology. The other winners of each category include:

• Bath & Body: Earthworks Soap Wrapper by Earthworks Products
• Beauty Accessory: Green Walnut Masque by Warren Tricomi Haircare
• Cosmetic & Fragrance: Cette Nuit La Fragrance by Fragonard Parfumeur
• Natural/Organic: Ylang Noir Dry Oil by Compagne de Provence
• Packaging: Garden & Forest Infusions Candles by Tatine

Dermalogica Deals in Optimism

It seems that lately, we’re all being inundated with negative headlines, and it’s easy to start seeing things in a “glass-half-empty” kind of way. Thankfully, our industry has people like Dermalogica’s Jane Wurwand to remind us of the power of positive thinking. She recently brought an audience of 500 business leaders to their feet in a thundering standing ovation as she delivered the rousing keynote address at the 21st Annual Business Forecast Conference, hosted by the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) in Los Angeles.

Here’s what she said: “Speaking as an entrepreneur myself, I know that pessimists are often right. But optimists are the ones who create innovation, change, and growth, especially when times are bad, because we refuse to look away from the positive potential.”

Jane cited the launch of CLEAN START, Dermalogica’s new teen skin care brand, as well as Dermalogica’s 20-minute MicroZone targeted treatment, as lucrative responses to the massive shifts in the professional skin care marketplace. What are you doing to fight the tide of negativity and make positive progress in your spa? Email us as spablog@americanspamag.com and we’ll share your feedback here.

And cheers to Jane for reminding us to keep moving forward, one positive step at a time.

Reader Giveaway: Hit the Deck!

‘Tis the season for holiday parties, cheer, and merriment—AND, unfortunately, expanding waistlines. Help your clients fight the end-of-year battle of the bulge with PowerHouse Performance’s Hit the Deck fitness card system. Perfect for those on the go, this helpful retail item can provide your guests with efficient and effective exercises routines, which don’t require equipment.

•FOUR lucky readers will win their very own deck of cards. Please email us at spablog@americanspamag.com and let us know how you plan on keeping fit around the holidays. Good luck!

ACSM Survey Reveals Health and Fitness Trends

As I get older, my health has become very important to me. I love the feeling of satisfaction I get running here in New York City, taking in the views as I make my way up the West Side Highway. Yet, with the winter quickly approaching, the thought of outdoor exercise is less than appealing. That’s why my plan in the near future is to join a gym where I can take indoor classes with a qualified trainer who will help me achieve my fitness goals. With that in mind, I was delighted to read a recent survey conducted by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) citing the importance of experienced and educated fitness professionals as the top trend of 2010. The survey, which was distributed to nearly 1,500 ACSM-certified health and fitness professionals, was designed to reveal trends in various fitness environments. Here are the top 10 fitness trends predicted for 2010:
1. Educated and experienced fitness professionals
2. Strength training
3. Children and obesity
4. Personal training
5. Core training
6. Special fitness programs for older adults
7. Functional fitness
8. Sports-specific training
9. Pilates
10. Group personal training

By sharing these trends with your staff members, as well as incorporating them into your spa programs, hopefully we can all (including me) move forward into the New Year living a healthier and more satisfying lifestyle.

How Are You Preparing for the Upcoming
Holiday Season?

Calloway Gardens' Fantasy in Lights

“During the holiday season, we are very fortunate to be a spa at a destination for holiday travelers who are visiting Callaway Gardens’ Fantasy in Lights, a holiday light and sound show featuring more than 8 million lights. In anticipation of these guests, I am creating services that incorporate seasonal elements, such as a Peppermint Scrub as part of the Jack Frost Treatment. Special offerings such as this supplement our regular spa menu. Because we are the spa at Callaway Gardens, our menu is inspired by the therapeutic benefits of the indigenous plants and herbs within the gardens and the adjacent Pine Mountain Ridge. Considering our current economy, I will be listening to what our guests need and will be ready to offer specials as well as implementing a variety of marketing strategies.”—Diane Hatcher, spa director, Spa Prunifolia at Callaway Gardens (Pine Mountain, GA)

Ritz-Carlton Ready to Launch Phulay Bay

Set to open December 22nd, Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve will be offering guests an exclusive hideaway in Krabi, Thailand. I was able to get a sneak peek at photos this morning during a breakfast meeting and the property looks absolutely stunning. With the Andaman Sea as a breathtaking backdrop, Phulay Bay, situated where the mountains meet the ocean, will be offering 54 elegant, spacious villas, featuring contemporary Thai decor and amenities such as private plunge pools and outdoor baths. While it may be difficult to leave the confines of the posh villas, guests will not want to miss the 11-treatment-room ESPA at Phulay Bay. Outfitted with expansive relaxation areas, a VIP treatment area with a private entrance, a vitality pool, and a café serving healthy local fare, the spa sounds like it will truly be an escape within an escape. We look forward to hearing more about it!

Riviera Resort & Spa offers Guests a Taste of Desert Indulgence

I’m currently sitting in the Palm Springs airport waiting for my flight back to New York City after enjoying an amazing weekend at the Riviera Resort & Spa. This was my first time in the desert, and I was immediately impressed by the breathtaking landscape, not to mention the gorgeous weather. After spending my days hiking in the San Jacinto mountains, eating indulgent meals, and enjoying time in a private cabana at the pool, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to take my relaxation one step further at the spa. I experienced several amazing treatments, but the 80-minute signature Balinese massage was hands-down my favorite. After a wonderful weekend, I am headed back to the hustle and bustle of Manhattan fully rejuvenated and ready to plan my next trip to this decidedly decadent desert paradise.

Wynne Business Offers Spa Professionals A Chance to Boost their Bottom Line

One of the main reasons I love the spa industry is the fact that it is constantly evolving. There is always so much to learn, and there are amazing resources at our fingertips to help us keep gaining knowledge and growing our businesses. If you are interested in improving your spa operations, here are two great upcoming opportunities offered by Wynne Business:

•Moments of Truth: Mastering Service Recovery and Complaint Resolution is an informative webinar available Nov. 17, at 1PM EST. For a log-in fee of $99, this 75-minute course, which will be hosted by Peggy Wynne Borgman, will teach you how to restore your clients’ trust and loyalty.

•The Spa Director’s Management Intensive is a four-day seminar, taking place in Saratoga, CA, to help participants understand all aspects of running a successful business. Taking place Nov. 15-18, this event will cover topics ranging from understanding financial statements to employee recruitment advice. Tuition is $1,899, and, as an added bonus, mention American Spa and you will receive a free copy of a new customer service book.

For more information, visit www.wynnebusiness.com.

Scenes from IECSC Florida

I’m on the show floor at the International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference (IECSC), which is being held at the Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center. Doors opened just two hours ago, and the floors are packed, classrooms are full, and attendees are trying out the products, equipment, and more in the 250 booths. Here are some shots from the show—enjoy!

Exhale and Cole Haan Make Exercise Stylish

Want to make your Cole Haan obsession a healthy one? Thanks to Exhale Mind Body Spa, you can! The two brands are working together this month to offer clients a complimentary Exhale Core or Yoga Class with the purchase of any handbag at a Cole Haan store, between November 9th and November 22nd. After all, wellness is all about looking good from the inside out. Click here for more info.