Who We Are
Twila Caldwell – Founding Partner
Twila Caldwell is a 12 year resident of Scottsdale, Arizona where she currently runs the Scottsdale office for Spa Development International.
Twila brings a Bachelor’s degree in Communication, a Master’s degree in Training & Development, a Post Baccalaureate degree in Education, and eight years of executive spa experience to Spa Development International.
Twila is recognized in the hospitality industry for her knowledge with spa and salon equipment as well as business development. Her experience in the industry is vast, ranging from consulting on major equipment purchases, operational training seminars, to project management.
Ms. Caldwell has worked with many of the leading Hotels, Resorts, and Destination Spas in the industry with the development or remodel of spas.
Her knowledge for spa and salon equipment is extensive and comprehensive. While consulting with clients on equipment purchases and managing the projects, clients will soon feel Twila’s passion for the industry, which is contagious, allowing her clients to enjoy the development process.
Many of Twila’s projects have been featured in Day Spa Magazine, Spa Magazine, American Spa Magazine, and Spa Management Magazine.
Ms. Caldwell is recognized for her strengths outside the hospitality industry; She is an Ironman finisher. Twila is active in her community promoting bicycle safety. Ms. Caldwell also volunteers her time teaching at Arizona State University’s Spa Management Program.
Twila’s goal with the industry has always been “to get the right products in front of the right people, and the right people in front of the right people.”
Ellen McGinnis- Partner
Ellen L. McGinnis, Partner with Spa Development International team with well over twenty-five years experience in the hospitality and spa industry, mostly in the executive arena. Levels of involvement include; consulting, concept development, design functionality, budget and operational projections, equipment selection, menu and treatment creation, staffing, training, marketing and operations.
Her career involves countless projects and extends from her exclusive work with resorts such as The Colony Beach and Tennis Resort on beautiful Longboat Key, Florida to a decade of design and operation of private, high-end residential and amenity facilities for IMG and Arnold Palmer. As a member of the WTS International Consulting team, Ellen opened and operated a showcase spa, The Spa at the Sanderling Inn, on North Carolina's Outer Banks.
One of Ellen's greatest career dreams was actualized with the opening of one of North America's first themed spas, The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa in Asheville, North Carolina. McGinnis was brought in during the pre-opening, construction phase of the $52 million dollar project and remained post-opening to operate it's 90,000 square foot structure and lead the nearly 125 - member team of professionals. As a result of McGinnis' capable leadership, she additionally served on of the resort's Executive Operations Committee. The spa achieved profit within the first five months of operation and rated one of the world's top ten spas by USA Today only eight months after opening. Additional honors include: "Blue Ribbon Viewers Choice Award", Spafinders, Readers Choice Awards and TWIN Honoree for Woman in Industry – Hospitality Division.
The turn from day to day operations came when Ellen was offered an opportunity to assist an established spa FF&E and OS&E supplier create a division to help gain entry into a broader segment of the market, Resort, Hotel and Destination Spas. In addition to her role as Director of Consulting, she also took on the role as Director of Education and Director of Skin Care.
Combining decades of diverse opportunities in the spa industry, Ellen is now a member of a wonderful integrated team of professionals that combine talent with industry knowledge, real operational experience, genuine passion and commitment; she continues use her experience to build educational and developmental strategies to help today’s spa owner take their business to the next level and obtain their professional best!