WHITE PLAINS, NY | Jeremy McCarthy, Director, Spa Operations, Development and Marketing at Starwood Hotels & Resorts, has been named Vice Chairman of the International SPA Association’s Board of Directors. McCarthy will begin his term in November during the 18th annual ISPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.

McCarthy was elected to the ISPA Board of Directors following an extensive interview and selection process. Founded in 1991, ISPA is comprised of more than 3,200 health and wellness facilities and providers from 80 countries, and is recognized worldwide as the leading professional organization and voice of the spa industry.

McCarthy has been a member of ISPA since 2000. “I am particularly passionate about fostering communication with and between members of the organization,” said McCarthy. “By working together, we can promote the value of the spa experience to consumers while developing more effective spa professionals to service this rapidly growing industry.”

McCarthy’s work for Starwood includes the development of Heavenly Spa, Westin’s growing spa brand. Recent openings include the new Heavenly Spas at The Moana Surfrider in Hawaii, The Westin Beijing Chaoyang in China and The Westin Sohna Gurgaon Resort & Spa in India.

Prior to joining Starwood, McCarthy was the Spa Director at the La Costa Resort and Spa, where he oversaw the construction of a 43,000 square foot spa, part of a $140 million renovation. Before opening that property in September of 2003, McCarthy worked for 14 years for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, opening and operating luxury resort spas worldwide including the spa at the Four Seasons Resort Wailea in Maui.

McCarthy has been actively involved with ISPA, sitting on the executive committee of their Board of Directors for the past two years. He speaks regularly at industry events including ISPA, Leading Spas of Canada, American Spa Expo and SPATEC, is the author of Become a Spa Owner and writes regularly for both Pulse and Organic Spa magazines

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts | Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit .

About ISPA | ISPA advances the spa industry by providing invaluable educational and networking opportunities, promoting the value of the spa experience and speaking as the authoritative voice to foster professionalism and growth. More details on ISPA are available on .

Spas are places devoted to enhancing overall well-being through a variety of professional services that encourage the renewal of mind, body and spirit.

Nadeen Ayala
203-351-2542
Starwood