Hot Springs Connection 2021
SCHEDULE
Download OFFICIAL CONFERENCE PROGRAM here.
MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021
Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort
190 Hwy 135
Paradise, MT 59856
after 1:00 PM
Lodging check-in
anytime between 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Registration Desk – pick up name badge and conference program
Paradise Hall Event Center, Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort
4:00 – 6:15 PM
HOT SPRINGS TRADE EXCHANGE
5:00 – 8:00 PM
WELCOME RECEPTION
Sponsored by AARFID
6:15 – 7:00 PM
Greetings!
by Vicky Nash, Hot Springs Connection founder and CEO
Meet All of Our Attendees
by Jessica Meath, Hot Springs Connection
7:00 – 7:30 PM
PRESENTATION
Automatic Identification Systems
by Matt Monnat, Executive Vice President and James Hardy, Director of Business Development for AARFID
AARFID is an industry leader providing automatic identification solutions for the hospitality industry with a strong focus on contactless radio frequency identification (RFID) communication and innovative software. For state-of-the-art, proven technology, AARFID’s devices and systems include key cards, key wristbands, mobile key room activation, towel and linen inventory control, among others.
7:30 – 8:00 PM
HOT SPRINGS TRADE EXCHANGE
EVENING
IMMERSIVE DIALOGUE in the hot springs pools
(pools open until 11 PM; Quinn’s Tavern will be open)
TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2021
8:00 AM
Registration Desk – pick up name badge and conference program
8:00 – 8:30 AM
HOT SPRINGS TRADE EXCHANGE
8:00 – 9:00 AM
BREAKFAST
8:45 – 9:00 AM
Agenda
by Vicky Nash, Hot Springs Connection
9:00 – 9:15 AM
PRESENTATION
History of Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort
by Ben Slusser, Vice President/Director of Operations for Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort
9:15 – 11:00 AM
BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR of QUINN’S HOT SPRINGS RESORT
See how this property operates and get an up-close look at the brand new pools.
11:00 – 11:30 AM
PRESENTATION
Building New Pools – What We Learned
by Ben Slusser, Vice President/Director of Operations and Damian Albright, Projects & Infrastructure Manager for Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort
A candid discussion about the entire construction process – hydrology, design, flow rates and heat exchangers.
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
HOT SPRINGS TRADE EXCHANGE
12:00 – 1:00 PM
LUNCH
Sponsored by Medicine Springs
12:45 – 1:00 PM
Medicine Springs Mineral Therapy – harnessing the geothermal healing powers of Mother Nature
by Brandon & Julie Price
1:00 – 1:30 PM
HOT SPRINGS TRADE EXCHANGE
1:30 – 2:15 PM
PRESENTATION
Chlorine Regulation
by Gene Gudmundson – owner of Spa Hot Springs, White Sulphur Springs, MT and former President of the Montana Hot Springs Association
Legislative actions to alter chlorination requirements for hot springs facilities.
2:15 – 2:45 PM
PRESENTATION
Model Aquatic Health Code
by Allen Clawson, Cloward H2O and Schawna Thoma, U.S. Hot Springs Business & Trade Association
Through science-based guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) is the only all-inclusive national pool code that addresses current aquatic issues.
2:45 – 3:00 PM
PRESENTATION
Global Hot Springs Collaborations
by Vicky Nash and David Dronet, owner of The Springs Resort & Spa, Pagosa Springs, CO
- Global Wellness Institute – Hot Springs Initiative
- World Bathing Day
- World Wellness Weekend
- Soakember
3:00 – 3:30 PM
HOT SPRINGS TRADE EXCHANGE
3:30 – 4:00 PM
HOT TOPICS
– roundtable discussions
What did your property successfully implement during the pandemic that will continue to be regular operating procedure?
4:00 – 4:30 PM
PRESENTATION
A Social History of Montana’s Hot Springs
by Jeff Birkby, geothermal energy consultant & hot springs book author
The author of A Consumer’s Guide to Geothermal Energy in Montana, Montana’s Hotsprings, and other books on western hot springs, Jeff will discuss the social history of Montana’s hot springs from early use of pools by the area’s Tribal people to the grandiose elegance of the Broadwater Resort near Helena.
4:30 – 5:00 PM
PRESENTATION and EVENT
World Water Tasting IX
Sponsored by water sommelier Janet Abbott and the Balneology Association of North America
Enjoy tasting a selection of waters from Montana artesian springs. Featuring Richard’s Rainwater from Austin, TX, surprise international sparkling waters, and municipal choice.
A blind panel will taste and choose waters in categories of Best Still, Best Sparkling, Presentation, Packaging and Message.
5:00 – 6:00 PM
HOT SPRINGS TRADE EXCHANGE
7:00 PM
DINNER
EVENING
IN-DEPTH DISCUSSIONS in the hot springs pools
WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2021
8:00 – 8:30 AM
HOT SPRINGS TRADE EXCHANGE
8:00 – 9:00 AM
BREAKFAST
Sponsored by Cloward H2O
8:45 – 9:00 AM
Maximizing and Optimizing Your Natural Resources
by Dan Aldred, Sr. Engineer & Project Manager
9:00 – 9:15 AM
PRESENTATION
New Construction and Restoration Projects
by Vicky Nash and Jessica Meath
A slide show of what’s new and improved at hot springs resorts and facilities around the globe.
9:15 – 10:00 AM
PRESENTATION
The Importance of Master Planning for New Development, Restoration and Reconstruction of Hot Springs and Spa Properties
by Walker Christensen and Jen Dicuollo with DHM Design
Extraordinary places can create extraordinary experiences, but it doesn’t happen by accident. More often than not, those experiential high points occur by design. That’s especially true when it comes to the unique setting and special challenges of hot springs properties.
10:00 – 10:30 AM
HOT SPRINGS TRADE EXCHANGE
10:30 – 11:00 AM
INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION WITH SPA INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Spa Trends
Industry outlook for design, products, treatments, hydrotherapy, and health, healing & wellness practices and how to successfully incorporate them into your facility.
11:00 – 11:30 AM
PRESENTATION
Report from U.S. Hot Springs Business & Trade Association
by Mark Begich, Board President
Learn how this organization is evolving and how to participate. Also, an update on recovery resources.
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
HOT SPRINGS TRADE EXCHANGE
12:00 – 1:00 PM
LUNCH
Sponsored by R2M2 Solutions
12:45 – 1:00 PM
How R2M2 Works for You
by Charla Brewer
1:00 – 1:30 PM
HOT SPRINGS TRADE EXCHANGE
1:30 – 2:30 PM
PRESENTATION
Hospitality Training and Customer Service
by Jim Mikula, Vice President of Business Development – Off Road Hospitality Group
Jim is an experienced senior executive in the lifestyle industry including hotels, resorts, fractional and private clubs. He has worked in operational, marketing & sales, development, and consulting roles with companies such as Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Hunt Realty Investments, The Irvine Company, Telluride Ski Resort among others. An author and expert in the areas of leadership, service innovation and motivation, he has conducted workshops in North America, Asia and Europe.
2:30 – 3:00 PM
HOT TOPICS
– roundtable discussions
What are you doing to build a more inclusive and sustainable business?
3:00 – 3:30 PM
HOT SPRINGS TRADE EXCHANGE
3:30 – 4:30 PM
PRESENTATION
Balneology Association of North America – The Language of The Waters
panel discussion by:
- Janet Abbott, Director of The Language of The Waters
- Dr. Jonathan Paul DeVerville, Director of Spa Cultures
- Dr. Marcus Coplin, Director of Water Medicine
- Chris Devlin, FNP, Director of Advocacy and Outreach
Balneology is essential to our relationship with natural mineral waters through research, information and education of traditional practices for health and wellbeing. The language used to understand the waters is multifaceted. One can describe a blissful cultural soaking experience or delve into a focused study of a nuanced mineral analysis or observe the historic past to foresee the waters of the future.
The directors of the Balneology Association of North America dive deep into the language of the waters – Ten Domains, Best Practices and BANA Flow Formula – as the language of health and wellbeing.
4:30 – 5:00 PM
GROUP PHOTO
5:00 – 6:00 PM
PRESENTATION and EVENT
Microbrew Tasting
by Scott Randall, General Manager for Saratoga Hot Springs Resort in Saratoga, WY
Sample beers from Snowy Mountain Brewery and Pub.
5:00 – 6:00 PM
HOT SPRINGS TRADE EXCHANGE
7:00 PM
DINNER
POOLING of IDEAS in the hot springs pools
THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021
8:00 – 9:00 AM
HOT SPRINGS TRADE EXCHANGE
8:00 – 9:00 AM
BREAKFAST
9:00 – 10:00 AM
INTERACTIVE SESSIONS
- Magic Water
by Dan Carter and Bryan Yearout, Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa - Water Quality and New Sanitation Protocols
led by Mike Geyer, Pure Vision Technologies - Selecting the Right Pumps
led by Jeff Davis, Tsurumi Pump
10:00 – 10:30
HOT SPRINGS TRADE EXCHANGE
10:30 – 11:30 AM
INTERACTIVE SESSIONS
- Utilizing Geothermal Heat
led by Tom Brokaw, ElectraTherm - Drowning Risks
led by Dan Carter and Bryan Yearout, Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa - Effectively Dealing With Rising Insurance Costs
led by Nettie Avery, Glenwood Insurance
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
HOT SPRINGS TRADE EXCHANGE
12:00 – 1:00 PM
LUNCH
OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP to the HISTORIC TOWN of HOT SPRINGS, MONTANA
Founded in 1910 at the edge of the Flathead Indian Reservation, the town of Hot Springs, Montana is named for the local geothermal waters that still bubble throughout the area. Hot Springs was famous in the late 1940s through the 1960s for a 21-day cure at the Camas Bathhouse complex operated by the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes. The town’s motto is still “Limp in, leap out.”
1:00 – 1:30 PM
PRESENTATION
History of Hot Springs, Montana
by Randy Woods, Mayor
1:30 PM
BOARD the BUS
2:00 – 4:00 PM
Drive throughout Hot Springs, MT past historic bathhouse locations.
SITE TOURS:
Symes Hot Springs Hotel & Mineral Baths
Sophia Springs
Alameda’s Hot Springs Retreat
4:30 PM
Arrive back at Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort
Dinner on your own at Harwood House Restaurant
– please make reservations
SOCIAL SOAK in the hot springs pools