The International SPA Association (ISPA) has announced philanthropist and changemaker Mick Ebeling will be the closing keynote speaker at the 2019 ISPA Conference & Expo, taking place 11-13 September 2019 at The Venetian Resort & Spa in Las Vegas.

Ebeling will also be presented with the ISPA Alex Szekely Humanitarian Award for his creation of Not Impossible Labs, a technology incubator and content studio dedicated to changing the world through technology and story.

Ebeling founded Not Impossible in 2008 on the premise that nothing is impossible. His mantra of ‘commit, then figure it out’ allows him to convene a disparate team of doers, makers and thinkers to create devices that better the world by bringing accessibility for all.

This unconventional approach brought to life highly acclaimed initiatives including the EyeWriter, Project Daniel, Don’s Voices and most recently Music Not Impossible. Through these initiatives, Ebeling has brought the ability to draw back to a paraplegic street artist, 3D-printed arms to Sudanese amputees and ‘voice’ to an ALS patient who hadn’t spoken in 15 years.

“Mick’s passion for helping others through innovative and creative solutions makes him an excellent choice for the 2019 Alex Szekely Humanitarian Award,” said ISPA president Lynne McNees. “I’m confident this inspiring keynote speech will motivate our conference attendees to explore inventive solutions to everyday challenges in their personal and professional lives.”

Prior to launching Not Impossible, Ebeling was a career producer and filmmaker. Since the launch of Not Impossible, he has been able to harvest the power of technology and story to change the world. A recipient of the Muhammed Ali Humanitarian of the Year Award and listed as one of the most influential creative people by The Creativity 50’s, Ebeling has sparked a movement of pragmatic, inspirational innovation.

The Humanitarian Award is named in honour of the late spa pioneer Alex Szekely. It is awarded to recognise an individual who acts as a respected contributor to over wellbeing, encouraging the renewal of mind, body and spirit. Past Humanitarian Award recipients include Dr. Maya Angelou, John Ondrasik, Alice Waters, Jewel, Lisa Ling and Peyton Manning.