BISA 2004 Annual Conference in Glasgow, Scotland
The inaugural BISA Conference was held at the Beardmore Hotel in Glasgow at the end of October 2004, and was voted by all who attended to have been a resounding success. Robert Czik of Finders International and a founder member of BISA said “The Conference was both informative and fun”, and Alison Barham of VisitBritain said that she is “finding the world of spa’s so interesting – there are some really great and committed people”.
The Conference was opened by Viscount Thurso, MP, who was so impressed by what he saw that he has now accepted the position of Honorary President and will replace Joan Thornycroft, who is standing down at the next election.
Thanks are due firstly to Rita Sharkey, who worked extremely hard to provide us with an enjoyable, varied and educational programme, and secondly to Iain Wallace and his staff at Beardmore, who ensured that everything ran smoothly.
Thanks also go to Cris Winter, who acted as Master of Ceremonies, as well as brightening up the proceedings with his wearing of the kilt.
The launch of the new diploma in Spa Therapies, which has been developed in partnership with the Scottish Qualifications Authority, was well received and means that we are a long way ahead of any other awarding body. Other lectures included audience participation, such as Harriet Buchan’s “Sound Therapy for the Soul”.
Leisure time was not forgotten, with plenty of opportunity for feeding the inner man (woman), and also entertainment with a baffling magician and a stirring performance from a piper.
We would also like to thank Beardmore for their kind thought in providing a wonderful cake for BISA – hopefully it was large enough for everyone to have a taste.