The International Spa Association (ISPA) will present Jeff Kohl, former chief operating officer of Spa & Club Ideations, with the 2018 ISPA dedicated contributor award at the 28th annual ISPA Conference & Expo at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, US, set to take place 24-26 September.

“Jeff has dedicated countless hours of service to the International SPA Association not only in his volunteer work, but through his career,” said ISPA president Lynne McNees. “His leadership and contributions continue to benefit ISPA members today. We are grateful he has and continues to be a dedicated leader of the ISPA community.”

Kohl, now with Barrett Business Services, Inc. (BBSI), has more than 25 years of experience in luxury hospitality and spa operations.

His roles within the industry have included business development consultant to the Mayo Clinic, where he was a key player in its initiative to provide a blend of traditional spa treatments and the Clinic’s medical and aesthetics services to the community, as well as COO at Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas, where he directed global operations, built strategic partnerships and manage 30 full-service spa and salon properties.

In 2001, Kohl and his wife Michele established Spa & Club Ideations as a resource to industry businesses seeking guidance in their efforts to expand, transform and streamline their operations. The company’s mission is to increase the competitive advantage of businesses in the hospitality, spa and fitness industries by providing consulting services and broad industry expertise.

"ISPA has been part of my life for 25 years,” said Kohl. “Through the many years of being on both the ISPA and ISPA Foundation Boards, it was my goal to create a legacy of dedication and diligence of serving the members, ISPA staff and the spa industry as a whole. By being recognised as ISPA's Dedicated Contributor, my heart is full knowing the work I was part of will live on for future generations."

Kohl most recently served as Chairman of the ISPA Foundation. He has been continually active with ISPA, serving as chair and treasurer on the ISPA board of directors.

In addition, Kohl led ISPA’s implementation of an association reserve fund along with international restructuring and membership enrichment programmes.