Welcome to the class blog of COM 315! This course adderssses the specific challenges involved in communicating complex, technical information to both lay and experienced audiences. Throughout the semester, we will be reading several journal articles relating to how presenters can communicate complex ideas in a clear and understanding way. Students are required to reflect on these articles in the blog, as well as apply the readings to real-world instances.

Calendar of Events

Monday, November 5, 2007

Airport spas

INTRO:
Attention Getter: Have you ever been going on vacation and had your flight delayed or know of someone else who has? Most likely you have because according to KCCI, an Iowa news station, 24% of all flights are either delayed or cancelled. I know through personal experience that delayed flights are not only stressful but the whole airport atmosphere can make you feel as if you’re not even going on vacation. Now I wish I had a brilliant solution to make sure that every flight is on time, but let’s face it, there are just too many factors that affect flying. I think airports are doing as well as they can right now. What I am going to propose however is a way of dealing with the stress and chaos that is related to delayed flights. The answer is airport spas.
Preview Statement: So first I’ll explain what services airport spas provide, then give you reasons why people would utilize them, and last let you know what is already being done.

BODY:
I. XpresSpa is an innovative spa company that started opening spas in airport terminals. So first let’s look at what services these airport spas provide.
a. They have many services that help stressed travelers relax before, in between, or after their flights.
b. Most of their locations provide but are not limited to massages, nail care, and skin care.
i. The massages include back massages, stress and tension eliminators, deep tissue body massages, foot massages, hand and arm massages, and a massage lounger.
1. According to the XpresSpa website, the prices range from $18 – 150 depending upon the type of massage and the duration.
2. The time lengths of message sessions include anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes depending on how much time you have to spare.
ii. The nail care services include manicures and pedicures with special services including French finishes and change of polish.
1. For manicures prices range from $25-75.
2. For pedicures prices range from $40-80.
iii. The skin care services include eye treatment and different types of facials.
1. The facials include deep cleansing seaweed, collagen hydrating masks, and exfoliating papaya masks.
2. The prices range from $30-100 depending on the type of facial treatment and the duration.
Transition: Now you know what services XpresSpas in airports provide. Next I’ll explain some reasons for their use.
II. According to the American Institute of Stress, 40% of people say that their occupations are stressful. And The National Business Travel Association stated that one in every four businessmen fly at least five times a year.
a. So if a stressful job isn’t tough enough, flying doesn’t make it any easier.
b. Airport spas can provide stress relief for these types of flyers.
i. Not only can they get massages to relax but some spas offer hair cuts as well.
1. These can be very convenient to businessmen since they don’t have much time in their busy schedules.
2. They can just go to the spa for a quick trim.
c. Now you don’t have to be a businessman to take advantage of these services. You don’t even have to be a first-class passenger because we all know that flying can be just as stressful for any traveler.
i. The spas provide many opportunities for any traveler to relieve their stress about flying.
ii. Maybe if you’re nervous about flying a message right before you’re flight could help ease that tension.
iii. Or maybe you’re flight has been delayed or cancelled. What better way to spend your time than being pampered, especially when it’s relatively inexpensive?
Transition: These are only a few reasons why airport spas can be helpful and I’m sure you can think of even more. So let’s take a look at what is already out there.
III. According to the Spa Index many major airports already have an XpresSpa.
a. Boston Logan Int’l Airport has one by Terminal C.
b. Cancun Int’l Airport has two, one at both Terminal 2 and 3.
c. JFK International Airport has three with two more on the way. Its spas even offer express options.
d. Pittsburg International Airport has two, one at both Concourse A and B.
e. The airports that are near us also have spa treatments.
i. Chicago O’Hare International Airport has a Backrub Hub in Terminal 3.
ii. Indianapolis International Airport has a Passport Travel Spa near the Food Court that provides nail care, beauty products, hair styling, and chair messages.
CONCLUSION:
Now you understand that spas provide many services to the airport, can be very useful and convenient, and many major airports already have them. Recall that 24% of flights are either delayed or cancelled, which ultimately causes a stressful environment for most or all travelers. Hopefully this fact alone is a valid enough reason for you to realize why so many more airports are emerging with spas and why airports that do not have spas should highly consider putting a spa in. In the future when you travel, make sure you keep in mind that there will probably be a spa so just take advantage of these services and relax.

Works Cited
"Airport Spa Kiosks and Lounges." Spa Index. 21 Aug. 2002. 4 Nov. 2007 .
Brown, Anitra. "Airport Spas in U.S. and Canada." Airport Spas. 2007. About.Com. 4 Nov. 2007 .
"Statistics Show Flight Delays Getting Worse." 30 Aug. 2007. KCCI.Com. 4 Nov. 2007 .
"Travel to Wellness." Airport Spas. 2007. 4 Nov. 2007 .
Tsui, Bonnie. "Airport Spas Relieve Terminal Boredom." 29 Dec. 2004. The Boston Globe. 04 Nov. 2007 .
"XpresSpa." XpresSpa Airport Spa, Message, Manicure, Pedicure, Facials, Waxing. 2007. 4 Nov. 2007 .

2 comments:

egallina said...

Your outline seems really interesting, wish I could have heard the speech!

ncapizza said...

Your speech today in class was very entertaining