ISPA Foundation Opens Scholarship Application Period

[2019 ISPA Foundation Mary Tabacchi Scholarship winner, Quincy Reynolds, was honored onstage at the 2019 ISPA Conference & Expo alongside Frank Pitsikalis, chairman of the ISPA Foundation and Dr. Mary Tabacchi.]The International SPA Association (ISPA) Foundation will begin accepting applications for the 2020 ISPA Foundation Mary Tabacchi Scholarship on Friday, February 7, 2020. This scholarship, created in 2006 and named in honor of spa industry pioneer Dr. Mary Tabacchi, honors a student pursuing a career in spa management, leadership or entrepreneurship.

Seventeen students have received the scholarship since the award’s inception. These individuals are currently serving in a variety of professional roles within the spa industry, as well as acting as mentors to current spa management students. It is the ISPA Foundation’s goal that students touched by these scholarships will provide comfort and care to people who need it and serve as inspiration to others to join the spa profession. “The ISPA Foundation is devoted to empowering the next generation of spa leaders as our industry continues to evolve and prosper,” says ISPA Foundation chairman Frank Pitsikalis. “We look forward to accepting applications from the bright, hard-working students entering our industry.”

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Applications will be reviewed by the ISPA Foundation Committee, comprised of twelve individuals including Dr. Mary Tabacchi, members from the ISPA Board of Directors, industry professionals and past scholarship award winners. The recipient will be selected after submitting a written response and completing an interview with the committee, and will receive $5,000 to offset their education expenses; a complimentary registration, travel stipend and hotel accommodations to attend the 2020 ISPA Conference & Expo; a one-year ISPA student membership; and will be assigned a one-year mentor to help navigate their career aspirations.

Applications are being accepted through April 8, 2020. To learn more about eligibility requirements and to access the scholarship application, visit experienceispa.com/about/ispa-foundation.

The award will be presented at the 30th annual ISPA Conference & Expo, taking place October 14 to 16, 2020, at Gaylord National Harbor in Fort Washington, Maryland. Registration is now open at attendispa.com.

About ISPA: ISPA, headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, and managed by Associations International, is a leading professional organization and voice of the spa industry. Founded in 1991, ISPA works to advance the spa industry by providing invaluable educational and networking opportunities, promoting the value of the spa experience, and speaking as the authoritative voice to foster professionalism and growth.