Dear IMSA Members,
It has been quite some time that we have been in touch. We have been very busy with many changes and activities, which I am sure you were following, as we sent many broadcasts your way.
Spring means time for renewal, changes and improvements.
First of all - the IMSA office has moved. Our new address is 520-23rd Street, Union City, NJ 07087 - phone/fax/email stays the same. Our hours are from 8:30am - 6:00pm EST, but of course we can be reached 24/7 via email.
By now you should have your own copy of THE DAY SPA / MEDICAL SPA DIRECTORY. I like to thank Ann St. George Simpson for the wonderful job in laying out this Directory as well as Preethi Burkholder, our Editor for her editorial contributions, and her efforts in securing some very informative advertisers - all members of the IMSA (we do not accept advertisements from non-members).
Preethi is also our editor from here on for our quarterly newsletter. Hopefully with this addition, we will be able to send you members news on a more regular basis to keep you up-to-date with what is happening in the Medical Spa arena.
IMSA is expanding throughout the world. Our international chapters are listed in our 2007-2008 Directory on pages 33-37. During the recently held Day Spa Expo in Las Vegas, the first international meeting for our organization was held with all of our Chapter Directors present (Europe via phone).
We will be updating you regularly on the developments on each continent. In the meantime, take a look at their activities and see if some of you see a way to support them in their efforts and you may find some new opportunities within their market areas that you may not have thought of.
With best wishes for the upcoming season, I am
Spafully,

Hannelore R. Leavy
Executive Director
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ATTEND A TRADE SHOW!
We are active at many shows and encourage you to participate in them. But remember, we may not be present in every trade show that you select to attend. So, please let us know when you attend a spa related show. That way, we can help you support the IMSA with brochures and maybe even a banner.
Thank you to Sustaining member Cheryl Whitman of Beautiful Forever Business Spa Consulting in supporting us at some of the shows she is speaking at.
Listed below are some of our upcoming trade shows. Hope to see you there! |
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CARIBBEAN HEALTH TOURISM SPA SYMPOSIUM & EXPO |
MAY 13-14, 2007 |
Hannelore Leavy and Eric Light will be traveling to Kingston, Jamaica to address this congress in support of our Caribbean Chapter. Eric will lead a panel on "Standardization and Accreditation of Caribbean Health & Spa Tourism." US participants are Hannelore Leavy, Dr. Reinhard Bergel and IMSA Advisory Board Member Atty. Cheryl Blackwell Bryson.
See you in Jamaica!
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IECSC LAS VEGAS |
JUNE 02- 04, 2007 |
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We invite you to come "hang your hat" and give us a hand to spread the word of the IMSA to show attendees!
We will be conducting our usual IMSA workshop on Monday, June 4. We will be in Booth #613.
"Day Spas in a Medical Spa World."
Eric Light, Strawberry Hill Group shares consumer research to help you determine if you need to change to compete (or not); John Buckingham, Solana MedSpas tackles legal challenges, changing regulations; Gina Meyer, SGJB Insurance explains how to best solve your insurance challenges; Tom Porter, Malibu Wellness discusses the issue of "Science Facts vs Marketing Myths"; Keith Rodbell, elementals™ talks about nutraceuticals, weight management and wellness.
Also, join us for our highly successful co-opetition workshop, held jointly with our sister organization, the DSA, on Sunday June 3rd.
"Software for your Spa: Learn and Compare."
Millennium by Harms Software, Milano Systems, MindBody Online, mSPA by Mack Software, ProSolutions Software, Inc. These friendly competitors will highlight their applications to assist you in achieving an efficient operation, saving time and costly mistakes, providing you with the marketing figures you need to succeed.
The class will address in detail:
Appointment Book; Register; Marketing/CRM; Inventory; Staff Relations and Head Office (Enterprise); Reporting; Security; Other Features incl. the Internet.
Our yearly post conference workshop held jointly with the DSA will be held on Tuesday June 5.
"Ready, Set, Think - How to Build an Effective Business Plan."
Starting or Operating a spa is not easy. The competition is fierce. It's not just the day spa or medical spa down the road. The consumer giants are jumping on board as well. So how can you compete? It starts with a solid business plan.
67% of all small businesses that fail did not have a business plan. 37% never meet their full potential. Now you can improve your chance for success. Sponsored by the Day Spa Association and the International Medical Spa Association, the latest in the highly interactive series of Mystery Spa Workshops, "Ready, Set, Think" will give you the chance to work with some of the industry's leading experts: Hannelore Leavy - The Day Spa Association (Host), Eric Light, The Strawberry Hill Group (Facilitator), Gina Meyer, Scanlon, Guerra, Jacobsen & Burke, Skip Williams, Resources and Development, Daniel Hussey, Global Success Solutions, Monte Zwang, Capital Wellness Management.
You will learn ways to improve your decision making, understand what banks expect, how to assess your market's potential, and a lot more. You'll leave with tools you can use for funding applications, manage your current business, and to forecast future success.
Other IMSA members speaking/presenting at the IECSC-Las Vegas are: Elisabeth Wennar-Rosenberg, Business Advancements, LLC ; Michael Effler, International Design Concepts; Cheryl Whitman, Beautiful Forever Medical Spa Business Consulting; Tom Porter, Malibu Wellness; Sheri Sallenbach, Edge Systems; Cheryl Staurowsky, PCA Advanced Skin Care Systems; Lisa Arnold, ClienTrak!
Learn more at www.iecsc.com |
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VITA SPA & MEDICAL SPA EXPO & CONFERENCE, BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA |
AUGUST 10 & 11, 2007 |
Hannelore and Eric will be traveling to Argentina to participate in addressing this first spa conference by our Latin American Chapter. If you are considering opening your activities to this exploding we invite you to consider joining us.
See you in Buenos Aires!
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SPA OWNERS AND OPERATORS EXPO AND BUSINESS CLINIC |
AUGUST 14-16, 2007 |
Spa Owners and Operators Expo and Business Clinic is suitable for all spas, day, resort, destination, medical and club spas.
The IMSA/DSA has been chosen to put together this Business Clinic. Call for speakers went out and we received hundreds of applications. The Business Clinic encompasses three tracks which will be facilitated by members of the DSA/IMSA education committee as follows:
- Spa Planning & Development - Skip Williams of Resources And Development.
- Business Management & Operations - Michael Carter of Athena Health Club and Day Spa
- Competitive Marketplace & Trends - Eric Light of The Strawberry Hill Group
The final selection has been made and the program will go online shortly. We hope to see all of our members at this first-ever spa business event in the mid-west!
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| MEDICAL SPA EXPO |
SEP. 8-10, 2007 |
This is an exhibition and conference for medical spa professionals. Here are the dates:
Conference: Sep. 8-10
Exhibition: Sep. 9-10
The Spa & Resort and Medical Spa Expo and Conference is designed to encompass medical spa professionals from all types of backgrounds. It will be held at Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York. Learn more.
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ANNUAL CRUISE FOR A CURE |
SEP.9, 2007 |
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Our annual Cruise for A Cure, under the auspice of SpaCare, Organized Charitable Giving will again be held on Sunday September 9th, and we invite you to keep this evening open.
GET INVOLVED!
We need cash sponsors, volunteers, and contributions for the goody bags.
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TRADE SHOW UPDATES
Trade shows are fun events and great meeting places for spa professionals and others.Not only do we like to keep you informed of the upcoming trade shows, but we also like to tell you what took place at the trade shows. Here are some of the latest happenings! |
| MEDICAL SPA EXPO, LOS ANGELES |
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The Medical Spa Expo was a great success! Thank you to Gina Meyer for manning the IMSA booth at this west coast show!
Visit Spa and Resort Expo |
Although this show was for day spa owners and managers, we saw quite a number of medical spa professionals too. The "Hearts for a Cure" event, the annual charity event organized by SpaCare, Charitable Organized Giving, jointly supported by the DSA+ IMSA was a tremendous success. Melanoma Research Foundation conducted a Silent Auction, and Uniquely-U gave a presentation of what's to come. www.dayspaexpo.com
Learn more.
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MAGIC TAN THANKS EXPO ATTENDEES! |
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Las Vegas, NV March 2007 - They came from as far away as Europe and as close as the Vegas Strip. Day Spa owners, future owners, managers, technicians, friends and family invaded Las Vegas with one shared goal: to explore the Day Spa Expo 2007.
The outstanding turnout, over 2,500 attendees to a show only two years old, amazed the VersaSpa Team. Even more outstanding was the overwhelming interest in the VersaSpa shared by the expo attendees. In fact, over 12 spas took advantage of the "$90 down no payments for 90 days" promotion.
The VersaSpa by MagicTan performed over 67 skin treatment sessions right on the exhibit floor of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The results were phenomenal and the user comments very generous.
The entire manufacturing and sales team at MagicTan thanks the Day Spa industry for their kind welcome. We promise to manufacture a treatment system that first, meets the healthy desires of your clientele and second, produces an easy profitable income for you.
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NEW BENEFITS !
As a member of IMSA you have the privilege of getting benefit packages and bonuses that will improve your business as well as your personal lives. Our goal is to provide you with useful information that can improve your quality of business and professional life. Take advantage of some of our current benefits! |
GO SPA INITIATIVE! Be Featured on Television!
Get your spa featured on television.
The DSA and The Beauty Show would like to invite you to take part in the national TV launch of the GO Spa Initiative.
GO SPA...is a promotion for the day spa industry to take part in delivering "news" to educate viewers on the advantages of health, well-being and the latest trends in beauty treatments when visiting spas.
Currently, The Beauty Show is in production of a 30 show TV series. Each show will air a minimum of three times. On all 30 shows, the GO Spa initiative will be promoted along with "spa tips" being given from spa owners.
DSA Pesident, Hannelore Leavy will be interviewed in the "Worldwide Business of Spas" TV documentary series on behalf of GO Spa and the day spa industry in general.
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ASSOCIATION GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM |
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IMSA, in conjunction with CSS Inc., is pleased to offer you one of the most comprehensive and affordable health insurance plans in the industry! It offers hospital and surgical coverage, intensive care benefits, doctor's office visits, prescription drugs, lab and x-ray services, accident benefits, dental and vision benefits, and even ionclude death coverage. What's more, there are deductibles or co-payments for medical benefits!
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Your annual renewal complimentary survey is here!
The Marketing Demographics of a Day Spa Goer 2000-2007 has been completed. All members who are renewing their membership as of January 1, 2007 are entitled to a complimentary copy. For those of you who have renewed and the study was not yet ready, we will be sendingyou're your copy to the email address we have on file. To those who are renewing their membership as of now, the actual bound survey report will be included with your renewal documents.
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SUGGESTED READING One of the best ways to stay up to date of the cutting edge technology, information, and inventions in the medical spa arena is by reading quality and authentic writing in the field. Magazines, newsletters like our IMSA Well-Med Spa, books, and websites are some of the sources that can help you to stay a step ahead. | |
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MEMBER HIGHLIGHT
Julie Mack, Mack Software Solutions
Julie Mack, CEO of Mack Software Solutions, Inc., recognized the growing need for Medical Spa Management software. In October 2003, Julie launched mSPA specifically targeting the needs of managing a medical spa. "I was asked by a medical spa to develop a software package for them since the salon/spa software that was currently available did not meet the specific needs of a medical spa," states Julie. "As I looked around the industry, I realized that the demand for a new software package specifically targeted at medical spas was substantial." In over twenty years of developing custom software systems for other industries, she realized she has the ability to make complex tasks fast and simple. In the last year, Julie has created mCHART, a medical charting software supplementing mSPA, that allows for easy access to clients' medical records. Unique features in both mSPA and mCHART, as well as personal support and training for every client from a committed staff, have quickly made Mack Software a favorite among doctors. Dr. Kenneth Rothaus, a plastic surgeon in New York claims, "Use me as a reference anytime!" Clients love the fact that Julie listens to their needs and then creates features that enhance the software and therefore their business. She is committed to staying on top of the latest techniques and developments in the medical spa industry so that Mack Software will continue to be an innovative and highly respected software company.
For more information visit www.macksoftware.com
Ms. Julie Mack
Mack Software Solutions, Inc.
4760 Preston Road- Suite. 244 #101
Frisco, TX 75034
800-450-6225
FAX: 469-287-3061
EM: sales@macksoftware.com
www.macksoftware.com
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MEMBER REFERRALS
Thank you to the following members for referring new IMSA members. Keep it coming!
Gina Meyer: 13
Douglas Preston:1
Lyn Ross: 1
Charles Wiltsie:1
JayaSchillinger: 1 |
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CALL FOR BOARD MEMBERS
The IMSA is looking to increase the number of it's Advisory Board Members -
Sustaining members are eligible to apply - please watch you inboxes in the next week for applications or email Hannelore at MedSpaAssn@aol.com to express your interest. |
QUOTE OF THE DAY

"From what we get, we can make a living.
What we give, however, makes a life"
-Arthur Ashe, tennis player, author and AIDS spokesperson-
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 SPRING HAS ARRIVED!Spring is the time for new beginnings! Thinking about starting YOUR OWN spa? Sign up for one of our workshops and learn how! |
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Plan your trip and come to Las Vegas to get your dream spa started on May 21 through 24, 2007.
Learn how you can get your own spa started. Click here. |
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MEDI SPA CONFERENCE & WORKSHOP
Medi Spa Conference & Workshop sponsored and organized by IMSA sustaining members Michel Lee of MediSpa Consulting, LLC, of Holtsville.
IMSA members receive a 20% discount, too.
Contact Michel Lee, CEO & Founder, Medi Spa Consulting
Phone: (631) 627-3296
FAX: (631) 627-3298 email: info@medispaconsulting.com |
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Day Spa & International Medical Spa Directory
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LEGISLATURE
Cheryl Whitman, Beautiful Forever Medical Spa Business Consulting 
Trenton, N.J. - New Jersey Gov. John Corzine has vetoed a bill to repeal a tax on cosmetic surgery. The bill had been passed nearly unanimously by the state legislature.
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NCEA Establishes National Standard on Laser & Light Therapy for Cosmetic Procedures
At the 14th NCEA Meeting held in New Orleans on January 28-29, 2007, a continuing education program for estheticians was established. The 42 Hour Laser & Light Therapy for Cosmetic Procedures curriculum will be part of the NCEA Esthetician Certification Program that is being launched in May of 2007.
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SCIENCE VS. MARKETING: GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH WELLNESS MED SPAS By Tom G. Porter President, Malibu Wellness Inc. The medical community is embarking on new ground when they identify themselves as a "Wellness Spa." By adding the word "Wellness" to a Med Spa business, it raises the opportunity for skepticism and scrutiny by their target population, wellness-aware clients.
In the U.S., traditional medicine is usually considered the opposite of Wellness. Words that are often associated with Wellness include holistic, natural, and organic. Unfortunately, these terms have become diluted in their meaning as they are too often used for marketing with little scientific basis for their claims. Read the Whole Story.
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In Memory
Linda Brewer, 59 - A revered pioneer in the spa industry, lost her courageous battle with ovarian cancer on Monday, February 12, 2007 at the Hospice Unit of Baptist Northeast Hospital in LaGrange, KY. Linda's proudest accomplishment was Uniquely you, a charitable organization.
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MEMBER NEWS We want to know what our members are doing. Stay in touch with us. Let us know your contributions to the spa industry. Encountering a challenge? Let us know that too. May be we can help. Here are some of our latest happenings. |
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MEMBER NEWS
INNOVATIVE MARKETING STRATEGIES:
Brown Bag Luncheon Series
 Dermology Med Spa launches Brown Bag Luncheon Series. The Brown Bag Luncheon Series is part of Dermology's ongoing program of lectures, cultural events, and educational symposiums designed to educate the public about the latest trends in non-invasive skin care technology, health, wellness, fitness, lifestyle, and new products. Get the scoop! Read more about the Brown Bag Luncheon Series.
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ENHANCE FACE & BODY SPA
Hartsdale, NY: Enhance Face & Body Spa, Westchester's preeminent luxury day spa, announced today that Anti-Aging Centers will provide medical age management therapy at the spa to those who want to combat the aging process in order to live a more fulfilling and productive life.
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visit our sister organization | |