Speaking at the opening of the ISPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas today (21 October 2013), ISPA chair, Ella Stimpson announced the appointment of Miraval CEO Michael Tompkins as next year’s chair and confirmed that recent ISPA research shows the major performance indicators for the sector – including spend, attendance and investment – are finally running ahead of pre-recessionary highs.

The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Grow’ and Stimpson urged delegates to drive performance to make the most of the improved financial situation.

Rancho la Puerta’s Deborah Szekeley – who recently celebrated her 91st birthday – spoke compellingly to delegates about the ‘power of one’, calling for support for her Wellness Warrior campaign which is working to raise awareness of and garner government support for a raft of wellness interventions. “Healthy, happy, centred people are the ones who go out there and are a force for change,” she said.

Szekeley has bold visions of a better world: “I demand a day when the air, water and land are safe,” she said, “and when people eat a plant-based diet and think of prevention first.

“My ultimate fantasy is a Wellness March down the Mall in Washington. I may not be alive by then, but I’ll be watching.”

The final keynote came from Blake Mycoskie, founder of Tom’s Shoes, who told the story of how he launched the company from his kitchen table with no knowledge of the shoe sector, before growing it to be a global brand with a huge charitable arm.

The last piece of big news came from Stimpson who said ISPA has just published its first survey of male spa consumers.