Professional Skin Care
The spa industry has always been close-knit, and at Eminence Organics we’re committed to helping you find the support you need now and in the future. COVID-19 has affected every industry, but spas—built on human connection and mind-body wellness—have had to change more than most.
Our community is as supportive as ever, with many spa associations offering resources, guidance, and a network of professionals ready to share their experience. To help you find the right support, we’ve summarized several key resources below.
Spa Industry Associations for Owners and Directors
As a spa owner or director, you want to learn from people who have run successful spas and know the industry well. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel when proven best practices and helpful resources are available. Start with these associations:
International Spa Association (ISPA)
ISPA is the global voice of the spa industry, representing spas in more than 70 countries. They define a spa as any place devoted to overall well-being through professional services that renew mind, body, and spirit—covering resorts, medical spas, and individual providers. ISPA membership signals to clients that you follow a Code of Conduct, including best practices for safety, cleaning, and hiring qualified staff.
Members get access to education like the Certified Spa Supervisor Program, a research library, webinars, courses, and textbooks on topics such as retail management and financial reporting. ISPA also provides industry news, templates, and operational guides for spas that may not have dedicated marketing or operations teams. The ISPA network, membership directory, and job bank are valuable for finding partners and staff, and members receive discounted rates for the annual ISPA Conference & Expo.
Green Spa Network (GSN Planet)
Eminence is proud to be a Certified B Corporation, and we share many values with the Green Spa Network (GSN Planet). GSN Planet focuses on the links between personal well-being, economic sustainability, and planetary health, and sees the spa industry as a driver for positive change.
Membership levels start with a free option that includes webinars, newsletters, and job postings. Paid tiers add listings on the GSN spa locator, access to a Sustainability Assessment Tool, a Green Toolkit, and industry research. GSN also hosts the annual Green Spa Network Congress and honors sustainable leadership with the GSN Sustainability Awards.
Spa Industry Association (SIA)
Formed in 2017 from the Day Spa Association and the International Medical Spa Association, SIA aims to connect the global spa community. A free membership covers day spas and individual service providers.
SIA participates in trade shows, speaks at events, and compiles tools and resources for members—like research reports, industry news, state-by-state legislation updates, lists of accredited certifications, insurance options, and local spa associations.
Leading Spas of Canada
Leading Spas of Canada is a non-profit started by spa professionals who wanted Canadian spas to compete globally. Because there’s no national regulation, they created Standards and Practices, a Code of Ethics, and a third-party Quality Assurance program to ensure members meet high standards for training, service, hygiene, and safety.
They connect the national spa industry—including spas, individual providers, partners, and schools. Membership fees vary by category, from student discounts to QA Leading Spa Members, which indicate verified quality to clients.
Spa Industry Associations for Estheticians and Bodyworkers
Many associations serve owners and managers, but the groups below focus more on individual professionals, including estheticians and those early in their careers. They emphasize training, certification, and continuing education.
Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP)
ASCP supports estheticians at every stage—from students to educators to working professionals. Memberships are available for students, educators, spa pros, and employers.
ASCP publishes a bimonthly magazine (ASCP Skin Deep) and keeps news and video libraries updated with research, legislation, events, and trends. They offer on-demand webinars, marketing help, website tools, and a Career Toolkit with expense calculators and business resources. Members also get discounts on continuing education, advanced training, insurance, equipment, and events.
Professional Beauty Association (PBA)
PBA’s membership is broad, including estheticians, hairstylists, makeup artists, freelancers, and manufacturers. Their mission is to grow and elevate careers across the beauty industry in the U.S.
Members can access an insurance marketplace, industry research, and “Business Blueprints” covering pay, operations, and planning. Premium Visionary Memberships offer business branding, marketing campaigns, and an account manager. PBA also provides scholarships and supports charities that help the professional beauty community.
A few final notes
Most associations have provided guidance on COVID-19, but nothing they suggest overrides federal, state, provincial, or local government rules. Check official government sites often, since rules change quickly—start with federal and state sites in the U.S., or federal and provincial sites in Canada.
In the meantime, look to your spa associations for models on how to adapt and begin moving forward. ISPA’s Spa Reopening Toolkit is a comprehensive, free guide (available to members and non-members) with resources to help spas reopen safely when allowed.
These groups are just a sample of what’s available. Which associations do you work with? Tell us in the comments or share with us on social media. Stay safe, and check back on our blog for more spa professional content.