It can still be difficult to lure men to the spa, but more and more male athletes are making the services part of their routines. Take the retired Hall-of-Famer and ESPY-winning jockey Jose Santos (left), who recently stopped by Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness in Albany, New York. It was the middle of the thoroughbred horseracing season at the nearby Saratoga Race Course, and Santos–the 11th all-time winning jockey–brought along fellow jockey Filiberto Leon (background) for a steam shower, hot shave, massage, haircut and men’s manicure. “Spa treatments shouldn’t be an occasional indulgence, but a necessity to improve overall health and wellness,â€� Leon said. And that’s coming from a tried-and-true sportsman!

In a joint statement to the press, the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) and the National Cosmetology Association (NCA) announced today that they will merge, combining operations and member lists. The PBA’s current membership consists of three types: Salon/Spa, Distributor/Retail Beauty Stores and Manufacturer/Manufacturer Representative. NCA’s constituents will add a fourth group. Members of PBA and NCA will also enjoy the benefits of their new sister organization, such as complimentary admission to PBA’s International Salon & Spa Expo and NCA’s International Beauty Show.

“Representing all licensed professionals, future professionals and salon owners, the NCA has by far the largest and most diverse membership of any industry association, while the PBA has phenomenal show and event properties and success from Cosmoprof North America to the North American Hairstyling Awards,� said NCA executive director Gordon Miller. “We are delighted to join forces with such a prestigious partner.�

The new arrangement also united the lobbying and research efforts of both organizations to further industry education. For example, earlier this week the PBA released results from its new Salon/Spa Performance Index (SSPI), which tracks the overall well-being of the beauty business. The composite score rose .7% in the second quarter of 2009 to 101.8—an encouraging sign in rough economic times. “The SSPI stood above 100, which is a positive sign for the overall health of our industry,� said PBA executive director Steve Sleeper. “Salon/spa owners reported a positive six-month economic outlook for both sales and the overall economy, while capital spending plans held relatively steady.�

The numbers also indicated that service and retail sales increased for many salon/spa owners, while employee hours declined.

The spread at Chocolate High Tea

Chocolate has run amok at The Table Bay hotel, a property of Sun International in Cape Town, South Africa. In addition to the new Chocolate High Tea service in the hotel lounge—which offers up white chocolate madeleines, rum-chocolate truffles and black forest trifle—the confection’s also made it onto the menu at the on-site Camelot Spa.

The Chocolate Delight treatment (75 min./approx. $66) combines pure cocoa powder—and all of its antioxidants—with the natural exfoliants in sugar. After a massage with vanilla-scented lotions, various body scrubs and a self-heating cocoa mask—all in the pool-adjacent facility—the guest is led back to the hotel lounge for a glass of cocoa.

(And, if she times her treatment right and hits the lounge between 2:30 and 5:30 p.m., she can also take advantage of all the High Tea’s decadent desserts to top off her service for an additional $20.)

You might not have the facilities to go to such lavish lengths, but since chocolate does provide beneficial antioxidants to the skin and slake certain cravings, this kind of pairing could appeal to your spa guests on multiple levels. Pair a cacao-infused treatment with a cocoa-heavy treat, and watch clients relax under the weight of a double-barreled sugar rush.

DAYSPA’s annual Top Honors issue recognizes spas delivering stellar performances in service, operation, design and marketing.

What makes some spas rise above the rest? Resources, resolve and results. DAYSPA needs your help in applauding those spas that demonstrate excellence in everything from employee retention to exceptional retail.

DAYSPA’s annual Top Honors will appear in our January 2010 issue. Please submit your nominations in the following categories:

Diamond: A single-location day spa owner who has perfected every aspect of her business.

Top Spa Design: A facility with an outstanding design from the standpoints of functionality, originality, beauty, comfort and client appeal.

Top Boutique: A day spa that does an exceptional job of buying and merchandising products to maximize retail income.

Top Green Spa: A business that goes above and beyond to incorporate green/organic elements into its business.

Top Package: An exceptional combination of services that has continued to bring in new and repeat clients for at least a year, and generates media and client attention.

Entrepreneur: A day spa owner with one to four locations who has made exceptional business strides in a short time under competitive circumstances.

Top Medical Spa: A medspa that offers a true day spa experience along with in-depth medical services and treatments.

Top Hotel/Resort Spa: A spa located within a hotel or resort that’s open to clients from the surrounding community.

Top Day Spa/Medical Spa Chain: A business with multiple locations and a corporate structure that can be replicated successfully beyond the direct supervision of the original owner.

Rising Star: An individual with less than five years of experience as a spa/salon owner who has exhibited outstanding business acumen and industry understanding.

Top Employer: A day spa owner who has several long-term employees, outstanding benefits and helps her staff grow professionally.

Top Promotion: An exceptional promotional program that brings in new clients, generates word-of-mouth advertising and draws media attention.

If you’d like to nominate a spa, email information and images by Sept. 1 to rwilson@creativeage.com. Or mail materials to Rhonda J. Wilson, DAYSPA Top Honors, Creative Age Publications, 7628 Densmore Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406. Keep in mind, materials cannot be returned.