Attending the 2016 ISPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, Sept. 13-15? I hope to see you there. Thinking back to when I attended my first ISPA conference as a spa director, hoping to gain some insight on how to be as successful as possible – to a few years later attending as a member of the ISPA Board of Directors – I know how significant attending the conference can be, and I want you get as much out of the experience as possible.
Here are a few tips to help you make the most of #ISPA16.
1. Make a plan.
What are your goals for attending the 2016 ISPA Conference & Expo? Consider what you want to achieve – whether it is networking, finding new products and resources for your spa, or getting inspired!
With your goals in mind, before you head to Vegas, make a list of the presentations you want to see, the exhibitors you want to check out, and the people you want to meet. With a schedule and a map in mind, you'll maximize your participation at the conference.
ISPA offers some great tools to help you, including the "My ISPA Planner," an expo floor plan,
2. Don't be afraid to forget the plan.
One of the great things about the ISPA Conference is the incredible people you will meet and the new companies you may not be familiar with! Be open to meeting new people and flowing from one opportunity to the next. ISPA is a family, and the conference is a very social time to make new friends and connect with old ones.
3. Be open to new experiences and new opportunities.
ISPA is a prime time for companies to debut new products and showcase the latest and greatest in the spa industry! You can stay on the cutting edge of the industry by educating yourself on what's new.
Saltability, for example, is excited to have a couple of new products to share. You'll have the opportunity to feel and experience products that are good for your clients, your therapists, and your bottom line.
Set a goal to talk to 5 exhibitors that you aren't familiar with, and take a few moments to get to know them. Even if you aren't buying what they are selling at the moment, chances are you are going to learn something new and make a connection that may bring rewards later.
4. Get social.
The social sphere at ISPA is both in-person and online. Make the most of both!
In person ... Attend the social events. Take time to check out the relaxation areas. I admit, the conference can be intense at times with so much going on, and I'm not sure I have the energy to go up and down every aisle due to the manic and busy pace of ISPA. But I am always so grateful when I do, because I always meet someone from the past or a new friend or new product line.
Online ... Look at your plan for the conference and who you want to make sure you meet. Connect with speakers and exhibitors via social media before you arrive in Vegas. Once you are there, use the #ISPA16 hashtag to join in the social media conversation.
For me, the best thing about ISPA is all the people. I can't wait to catch up with old friends and discover the new ones who will cross my path.
Are we connected already? If not, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn.
Can't wait to see you at #ISPA16!
– Ann Brown, Saltability founder