CG Funk, vice president of industry relations and product development at Massage Envy speaks about her talk at the 2014 Professional Spa and Wellness Convention on the art of franchising.

What will you be covering as part of the Spa Franchise session at the convention?

I will be sharing the Massage Envy growth story with delegates and how the business has impacted the US spa industry with its professional, convenient and affordable tenets. I will also be discussing how franchising was the central pillar of this national expansion and how a grassroots company became the leader not only in massage and spa services, but also in spa job creation.

Why did you to agree to speak at the convention and why are events such as this important for the industry? I was honoured to be asked to speak at the convention and am so looking forward to being a part of it. Events like the Professional Spa and Wellness Convention are important because they unite different sectors of the spa and wellness markets and give participants the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the spa world, to network with colleagues from around the world and to form relationships that are instrumental for our continued growth and sustainability as an industry.

Which are the biggest challenges currently facing the spa and wellness industry?

I believe staffing is both a big challenge and an opportunity. Consumer demand is growing so quickly that, from spa directors to massage therapists, there will not be enough skilled staff to fill available positions in the next few years. So I believe our biggest opportunity is to raise awareness of the validity of a spa career by educating the general public on the benefits of these healthy and stable jobs.

For more on the Professional Spa and Wellness Convention in London on February 23 to 24, and to book your place, visit professionalspawellness.com/convention