Jennifer Wayland-Smith has been recognised by the International Spa Association (ISPA) with the 2023 ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award.

The accolade is given to an active ISPA member who has contributed significantly to the growth of the association. The recipient demonstrates leadership and commitment to ISPA and extensively assists in the promotion of the association, as well as its mission and vision.

Wayland-Smith will receive the award at an in-person ceremony during the 31st annual ISPA Conference from 9-11 May 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Wayland-Smith’s leadership in the spa and wellness industry spans over 35 years, beginning in the early 1980s when she studied corporate community health education at the University of North Texas.

This field eventually propelled her into the spa industry, leading spa teams in opening and operation, from the Spa at Bally’s in Atlantic City, New Jersey, to the Spa Internazionale in Fisher Island, Florida, to over seven years at the Spa at the Hershey Hotel in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and many others in between.

Today, she leverages her experience as a consultant on spa projects across the US.

ISPA has benefitted from over 25 years of commitment and leadership from Wayland-Smith. Beginning with her service as the Membership Committee chair, she went on to devote seven years as a dedicated member of the ISPA Board of Directors (2004-2011) and eventually served in the vice chair role as well as on the Foundation Board.

Additionally, Wayland-Smith served with the Speaker Task Force since 2014 and recently returned to the ISPA Nominations Committee for the 2022 Board of Directors selection process.

“Jennifer is the epitome of a dedicated contributor, and we could not be more excited to present her with this award,” said Lynne McNees, ISPA president. “We know that if we ask Jennifer to do something she will say yes before she even knows the task!”

Upon learning about the award, Wayland-Smith said: “I was speechless when I first received the call. I was humbled, excited, super proud and I feel so privileged to be considered for this award among the past winners I know and consider my spa friends.

“Giving back to this industry has just come so naturally to me, it’s not been a chore for me, it’s just happened. That is what I love to do, to provide information, to help, to be a resource in developing relationships…it has confirmed for me that I am doing the right thing.”

Wayland-Smith added: “I’ve said many times over the years, when people ask me what I would be doing if I wasn’t working in spa, I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing, it’s only spa.”