BiomariS USA To Host 2nd Annual Cruise/Conference

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa.—The 2nd annual Sea of Beauty Spa Conference and Cruise will be hosted by BiomariS USA aboard Carnival Cruise Lines, Jan. 8-15, 2006. The seven-day Caribbean cruise is an opportunity for participants to advance their knowledge and profitability as well as to vacation with family and friends.

“Our first conference at sea exceeded all expectations,” says Rose M. Chvasta, president and CEO of BiomariS USA and CIDESCO diplomat. “The idea of combining education with an affordable winter vacation was so appealing to our participants that we’ve decided to make ‘Learning at Sea’ an annual event.”

The conference will be led by Chvasta and will focus on several facial and body techniques and how to perform spa manicure and pedicure treatments, and include tips and techniques to sell products and business strategies for opening successful spas. Those who participate will receive certification, products to help implement new techniques and treatments, reference materials, and other technical support from BiomariS USA.

Reservations are required by July 20, 2005. For cruise information or to book a cabin, e-mail Renee at mrmittens2@aol.com or call (888) 6-MITTEN. For conference information, call Wendy at (866) 684-SKIN or visit www.biomarisusa.com.

LEXINGTON, Ky.—The International SPA Association recently announced that its 15th annual conference and expo will remain in Dallas but move to a new location and time. This year’s event will be at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, Sept. 30 to Oct. 3. The Gaylord Texan, an ISPA member, is home to Relâche, a 25,000-square-foot European-inspired spa.

“As the newest conference hotel in Dallas, the Gaylord Texan is the perfect venue for this year’s ISPA Conference & Expo,” says ISPA President Lynne Walker McNees. “In its 15th year, the 2005 ISPA Conference & Expo will enable spa professionals worldwide to celebrate past achievements, while also planning for the continued success of their businesses.”

For more information, visit www.ispaconference.com.

NEW YORK—Spa Finder, Inc. recently honored Howard Murad, M.D., with its third Visionary Award. The award is given annually to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the development of the medical-spa industry.

Murad is the founder of the Murad Medical Spa and creator of the popular line of Murad skincare products. He was honored for his breakthrough work in antioxidant/ anti-aging skincare and for his seminal role in establishing the medical-spa concept.

The award was presented to Murad by Sallie Fraenkel, Spa Finder’s chief marketing officer, during a ceremony at the Reed Spa Expo in Los Angeles.

“For decades, Dr. Murad has been at the forefront of a true skincare revolution, helping to guide us from a superficial, cosmetic approach into a new era of total skin health,” Fraenkel says. “He was also the first individual to bring clinical medicine into the spa—a model that’s now helping countless people live healthier, happier lives.”

CHURCHVILLE, Pa.—To meet the rapidly rising demand for its professional training programs, Nature’s Stones, Inc. has increased its staff of trainers. A total of nine instructors now are available to perform the company’s hot-stone-therapy seminars.

“We’re growing at every turn,” says Patricia Mayrhofer, founder and president of Nature’s Stones. “Our staff is now composed of certified massage therapists, nurses, estheticians, reflexologists, shiatsu practitioners and cosmetologists. This network of professionals has developed multidisciplinary approaches to massage and spa treatments utilizing stone therapy.”

For more information, call (866) 786-6370 or visit www.naturestonesinc.com.

3,000-Plus Attend Los Angeles Spa, Resort And Medical Expo

NORWALK, Conn.—The Spa & Resort and Medical Spa expos and conferences Feb. 27-28 attracted more than 3,000. The show returned to Southern California after its successful debut last year. The events featured the latest equipment, spa products, procedures and treatments from more than 200 exhibitors.

“The comments we received from exhibitors and attendees were especially favorable and enthusiastic,” says Eileen Baird, vice president and show manager of Spa & Resort and Medical Spa expos and conferences. “It’s always gratifying to hear from spa professionals that our show is on the right track and making significant progress.”

The two-day event began with the keynote address by celebrity nutritionist Carrie Wiatt, who addressed how eating well can improve every aspect of life. One of New York’s leading facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons, Dr. Steven Pearlman, opened the show Monday morning with a keynote address. His speech made the technical aspects of plastic surgery easily understandable for the audience.

The next Spa & Resort and Medical Spa expos and conferences are scheduled for May 22-23 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York. For more information, visit www.spaandresortexpo.com or www.medispaexpo.com.

“Patch” Adams To Speak At Las Vegas Anti-Aging Conference

LAS VEGAS—Dr. Hunter “Patch” Adams will be a special guest and keynote speaker at the spring Integrative Medicine for Anti-Aging Conference & Expo,scheduled for May 12-15 at the Las Vegas Hilton. Adams is the author of several books and videos. He will present his philosophy on the importance of incorporating humor in all areas of life in his keynote address titled “Managing Age by Living the Life of Joy!” The keynote address is scheduled for May 13 and is open to all attendees of the conference and expo.

Adams founded the Gesundheit! Institute in Arlington, Va., a holistic healthcare community with free medical care.

“Patch” Adams’work was celebrated in a 1998 major motion picture starring actor Robin Williams.

For more information, visit www.antiagingconference.com.

Guinot Paris Welcomes New GM

CHATSWORTH, Calif.—Thibiant International, Inc. has named Ameann DeJohn as the West Coast general manager for the Guinot Paris skincare division.

In her new role, DeJohn will focus on boosting national brand awareness about Guinot Paris skincare.

“Our efforts will target not only prestigious spas but also the more exclusive resort spas that are cropping up across the country,” she says.

DeJohn was the owner and CEO of Luxe Spa in Rochester, N.Y., for the past three years. She continued on as CEO of Luxe Spa for a few months while managing the Guinot Paris West Coast division. DeJohn also was the former director of East Coast sales and marketing for Lachman Imports, the distributor of Guinot Paris in New York.

COSTA MESA, Calif.—Raymond Anthony International (RAI) was one of the exclusive exhibitors at the Silver Spoon Pre-Oscars Hollywood Buffet that took place prior to the 2005 Academy Awards. At the event, celebrities were treated to a Lumière Photo-Thèrapie session. Also, the Oscars gift basket provided to VIP attendees included a gift certificate redeemable for a complimentary Lumière Règime.

“E! News” broadcast a segment that included Lumiére just prior to coverage of the Oscars.

“Lumiére was a huge hit,” says RAI CEO Ray Mead.“Everyone we met in Hollywood was extremely excited about it.”

World-Class Resorts Choose Flawless

PHOENIX—The upscale Ocean Key Resort and Spa in Key West, Fla., and Grove Isle Resort and Spa in Miami have chosen to offer the Flawless Sunless Tanning System as a signature treatment.

“We are excited and thrilled to have added these two top-of-the-line properties to our ever-growing list of spas that want to provide their clients with a golden tan,” says Harlan Roberts, president of Flawless Tan.

In addition, Flawless Tan signed a distribution deal with Pro Beauty Corp.

The Flawless Sunless Tanning System can be found at a growing number of luxury spas and resorts, including The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Grande Lakes in Orlando, Fla.; Caleo Resort & Spa (formerly SunBurst Resort & Spa) in Scottsdale, Ariz.; Hotel ZaZa in Dallas; and Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego.

ATLANTA—Al Doeve recently was appointed to general manager of operations at Instiut’ DERMed. Doeve has consulting and senior-management experience in the manufacturing, service and technology industries. In his new role, his responsibilities will include business excellence and continuous process improvement.

“We are very excited about bringing Al Doeve aboard at Institut’ DERMed,” says Lyn Ross, president. “His impeccable resume speaks for itself, and he’ll be a wonderful asset to us as we expand the Institut’ DERMed cosmeceutical products and MediClinical spas worldwide.”

NTTI Launches Enhanced Web Site

PHOENIX—The National Tanning Training Institute recently launched its new and enhanced Web site at www.tanningtraining.com.

Featuring NTTI’s new logo and clean-looking, user-friendly pages, the site enables NTTI users to keep track of certification and courses online, view monthly newsletters, news postings and business resources, and access a forum.

Also, NTTI has started a membership program—free for a limited time. Membership includes an NTTI lapel pin as well as access to a members-only forum and consumer-newsletter template.

Members also receive discounts on future NTTI coursework and other resources.

“I am excited about the launch of our new Web site,” says Amy Thorlin, training director for NTTI. “I believe that the updated features and new membership program will be a great benefit to NTTI users.”

For more information, visit www.tanningtraining.com.

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