Spa Executive - February 2020

PUBLISHER
Roger Sholanki
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Nima Chadha
EDITOR
Elizabeth Bromstein
COPY EDITOR
Andrea Coreas
DESIGNER
Zamir Visram
Note from the Publisher
Hilton was recently named the #1 best place to work by Fortune magazine. In an industry that
struggles to attract and retain staff, spa and wellness leaders should be paying close attention to
what Hilton is doing right.
It appears to be a lot — Hilton CEO, Chris Nassetta, has said that he is “obsessed” with taking
care of his staff.
Among Hilton’s initiatives is one to upgrade all back-of-house staff areas to be as comfortable
and welcoming as guest areas. Hilton also offers programs enabling employees to earn their
GEDs and expand their skillsets, including the Hilton School of Wellness Spa Leader Onboarding
Program, which is designed to help Hilton spa professionals thrive as business leaders. Hilton is
also an advisory board member of We Care, the global self care initiative for massage therapists
and spa directors.
Who better to talk about some of the amazing programs that are changing the face of hospitality
leadership than Jessica Shea, Hilton’s Senior Director of Spa & Fitness Operations for the
Americas? We spoke with her for this month’s Spotlight interview, and she offers some amazing
insight into Hilton’s successes from which we can all learn.
“Massage therapists,” she points out, “are the backbone of the spa industry…. Yet, as the spa
industry grows, the number of massage therapists continues to decline.”
Hilton is among those turning this around. Is it coincidence that Hilton’s stock is reportedly up
274% from its IPO price in 2013? Probably not. Looking after your team is good for business.
As far as obsessions go, taking care of your staff is a good one to have.
Spa Executive
Roger Sholanki,
CEO, Book4Time Inc.
The online magazine for Spa
Executives, featuring news
and exclusive interviews.