The International SPA Association (ISPA) has announced that it is now accepting applications for the 2018 ISPA Foundation Mary Tabacchi Scholarship.

The recipient will receive US$5,000 (€4,050, £3,600) towards education expenses, as well as a travel stipend, hotel accommodation and complimentary registration to attend the 2018 ISPA Conference & Expo.

Previous scholarship winners include Michelle Bashore, Alison Harrigan, Kate Sornson, Jessica Barnett, Carmen Nash, Kendra Koble, Nicole Meneveau and Josee-Ann Cloutier.

The Mary Tabacchi Scholarship was created in 2006 as an investment in the spa industry’s future. It was named for spa industry veteran Mary Tabacchi. Tabacchi is Professor Emerita for the School of Hotel Administration in the SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University, she has a doctorate in biochemical nutrition and biostatistics, and has published numerous books on nutrition and spa.

“We are so honoured that after 12 years, the ISPA Foundation Mary Tabacchi Scholarship continues to encourage and inspire those joining the spa industry," said ISPA president Lynne McNees.

ISPA Foundation chair Frank Pitsikalis added: “It is a very promising sign for our industry that this scholarship continues to uncover many bright and emerging leaders in the world of spa.”

The scholarship will be presented at the 28th annual ISPA Conference & Expo at the Phoenix Convention Centre in Phoenix, Arizona, which takes place between 24 and 26 September 2018.