As a licensed massage therapist, I’ve always been passionate about the power of touch to heal and help people feel their best. But even with over a decade of experience under my belt, I never fully realized how vast the spa industry was until I had the opportunity to attend the International Esthetics, Cosmetics, and Spa Convention (IECS) in New York. As a guy from the city, you don’t always think about the finer details of the wellness and beauty world, but this event opened my eyes to so much more than just massages.
There were professionals from every corner of the beauty and wellness world — from seasoned spa owners to newbies like me, eager to learn. Honestly, it was a little overwhelming at first, but in a good way. I’ve always focused on massage therapy, but the convention made me realize how much more goes into creating a holistic spa experience. This wasn’t just about a massage; it was about combining all the elements of beauty, skincare, wellness, and relaxation to offer something bigger — something that touches both the body and mind. Companies like Santu, Omnilux, Clix Therapy, Sorella, Pulse, Glymedplus, Glamcor, Celluma, Glownar, Esthemax, and so much more were in attendance.
What really stood out to me were the seminars and workshops.I didn’t attend any classes since this was my first time, and I didn’t see as much Massage Therapy as I would have hoped for. I’ve always thought of massage therapy as my bread and butter, but seeing how other professionals handle massage treatments opened my eyes to how it fits into the bigger picture of the wellness world. I had the chance to dive deep into skincare, wellness tech, and even spa business management. Some of the workshops focused on things like integrating aromatherapy into treatments, light therapy, and how to run a successful spa operation — all of which are super relevant to what I do.
I got to learn from some true experts who have been in the game for years. They didn’t hold back when it came to sharing their knowledge, and that kind of openness was exactly what I was looking for. Plus, I left with ideas on how to level up my own practice, whether it’s adding new techniques or just improving the experience I give my clients.
One of the best parts of the convention was meeting people who are actually running the show in the spa industry. I had the chance to speak with spa owners, product innovators, and other therapists who gave me some solid advice. We talked about everything from new wellness trends to challenges in the business, and it felt great to be able to ask questions and swap stories with people who are passionate about the same things I am. I even was offered a free Facial from Cosgram where they pampered me with their Bio P-Exosome and Gommagic Blades.
It’s one thing to learn about a subject from a book or a workshop, but connecting with real people who live and breathe this industry was a whole different level of learning. I left with some new connections, and who knows, maybe some future collaborations.
One of the most exciting things about attending IECS was seeing where the spa and wellness industry is headed. There’s so much new tech out there — AI skin analysis, virtual wellness consultations, even massage equipment that’s more high-tech than anything I’ve ever seen. The more I learned, the more I realized that the wellness world is about much more than physical treatments. It’s about creating full-on experiences that help people feel better in every aspect of their lives.
I also got a glimpse into how the focus on mental and emotional wellness is growing in the spa world. Spas aren’t just places for relaxation anymore; they’re places where people go to recharge in every way possible. This trend toward mental health and mindfulness in wellness treatments is something I can definitely get behind.
Attending the International Esthetics, Cosmetics, and Spa Convention was an insightful experience for me. It wasn’t just about learning new techniques or finding new products. It was about seeing the spa industry as a whole, understanding how massage therapy fits into it, and discovering ways to expand my own practice. I walked away with a better appreciation for how much thought and care goes into designing wellness experiences — and it’s made me more excited than ever to keep improving the services I offer to my clients.
If you’re in the wellness industry, I can’t recommend this convention enough. It’s a great way to stay on top of the latest trends, meet new people, and leave feeling inspired to take your work to the next level.
