USA, Glenwood Springs, Colorado. October 10, 2018

The first-ever hot springs industry conference in the United States, The Hot Springs Connection, will take place on November 7-9, 2018 in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Designed for hot springs owners, operators, general managers, facilities directors and marketing professionals, the conference will set the precedent for a national effort for commercial geothermal pools, spas, and resorts.

This event is organized by Vicky Nash, CEO of communications and marketing firm Resort Trends, Inc. Resort Trends has represented clients throughout the tourism industry, with over 23 years of work with hot springs in Colorado. Nash also helped create the Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop, an award-winning initiative.

"I often wondered why there was no national effort to promote hot springs as a whole in the United States," Nash said. "After doing some research and conducting a survey of 200-plus commercial facilities, I discovered that there was in fact interest from the industry to create some sort of networking organization."

The Hot Springs Connection will include discussion panels on various topics, guest speakers from throughout the hot springs industry and exclusive, behind-the-scenes tours of the world's largest mineral hot springs pool, vapor caves and the newest resort in Glenwood Springs. Additionally, participants will be able to network with colleagues from across the U.S.

Topics will include: new technology; water treatment management; sanitation/filtration/pump systems; online reservation software; co-op marketing opportunities; industry trends; balneology methodology and culture; water stewardship and preservation; health, healing and wellness practices; hydrotherapy treatments; and mineral water product development.

Jeff Birkby, geothermal energy specialist and author of "Geothermal Energy in Montana - A Consumer's Guide," and numerous hot springs guidebooks, is the Hot Springs Connection keynote speaker. Birkby has over 30 years of consultation experience with geothermal direct use and power generation projects, and will be joining other guest speaker industry pros, ranging from hot springs owners, designers, attorneys, marketeers and engineers to balneology experts.

"This first goal is to get all the U.S. hot springs communicating and sharing information," Nash said. "At the end of the conference, perhaps a formal trade association can be created so they can do some strategic planning and visioning to benefit the hot springs industry."

Registration costs $389 per representative and includes all conference activities (reception, welcome dinner, presentations and site tours). That fee increases $100 after October 6. Sponsorship and vendor opportunities are available, ranging from trade show booths, presentation opportunities, and inclusion in promotional items for the conference-a one-of-a-kind venture for the Hot Springs Connection's inaugural year.

Conference attendees can secure lodging discounts when reserving before October 6 at host hotels, including Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge, Hotel Denver and Hotel Colorado. Presentations will be held at Morgridge Commons, Glenwood Springs' newest meeting and conference center.

For more information and to register for the conference, go to www.hotspringsconnection.com.