International Sleep Products Association

International Sleep Products Association
Founded 1915
Type Advocacy
Focus Mattress Industry Advocacy
Location
Key people

Board of Trustees Chair Kathy Roedel[1]

President Ryan Trainer
Slogan The Voice of the Mattress Industry
Mission Dedicated to protecting and enhancing the growth, profitability and stature of the mattress industry.
Website www.sleepproducts.org
Formerly called
 National Association of Mattress Manufacturers; National Association of Bedding Manufacturers

The International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) is a trade association based in Alexandria, Va. Its members are mattress manufacturers and mattress industry components suppliers.[2]

History

Founded as the National Association of Mattress Manufacturers in 1915, the organization renamed itself two years later as the National Association of Bedding Manufacturers.[3] Its goal was to create state tagging laws (see law label) and address the health sanitation issues affecting consumers. The association's name was changed to the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) in 1987 to reflect acceptance of international members.[4]

ISPA's stated mission has been to support the mattress industry through public policy, public affairs and education initiatives. It works on behalf of the bedding industry on a range of commercial, health, safety and environmental issues, including legislative lobbying at the state and federal level.[5] It also seeks to present a positive image of the sleep products industry to the general public.

ISPA today

ISPA currently represents nearly 700 mattress manufacturers and bedding component, machinery and service suppliers in over 50 countries around the world. ISPA members range from multinational mattress and sleep products manufacturing companies to small, family-owned operations.

The association provides a range of legislative, informational, and educational services to the mattress industry. Many services are exclusive to ISPA members, others benefit the industry in general as well as the public.[6]

Member support and services

The association's products and services to members and non-members include:

ISPA provides regular and member communications through its website, through its publications BedTimes and Sleep Savvy and their websites, and through a range of social media including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and its Blog - Bedpost.

BedTimes magazine, published monthly, covers mattress industry news for manufacturers and components suppliers.[8] In August 2017, BedTimes marked 100 years of continuous publication with a celebratory feature chock full of industry history and interesting anecdotes.[9]

The BedTimes Supplies Guide is a listing of products and services used in mattress and other sleep products manufacturing.

Sleep Savvy magazine is targeted to mattress retailers. Editorial content centers on tools and information to assist in boosting mattress sales.

ISPA Insider, a weekly industry e-newsletter for members, covers association news, legislative and regulatory issues, meetings and trade show information, and breaking news impacting the mattress industry.

Better Sleep Council (BSC)

Founded by ISPA in 1979, the BSC's stated goal has been to increase mattress sales and shorten the mattress replacement cycle by educating consumers about the importance of sleep to health and quality of life, and that the sleep surface and sleep environment are important contributors to quality of sleep.[10]

The BSC funds regular research studies of consumers to explore attitudes toward mattresses and the shopping experience. Findings assist the BSC in developing its messaging. ISPA membership dues support BSC research and other programs. BSC public relations campaigns aim to keep mattresses top of mind as consumers decide how to spend disposable income. The campaigns target a broad segment of U.S. consumers via print, broadcast and online media.

The BSC's latest example of this is the "Stop Sleeping Around" campaign. Through short videos and other visuals that show consumers sleeping everywhere but their own bed, the campaign reinforces the message that they may need to replace their mattress if they are nodding off during the day because and not getting 7–8 hours of quality rest on a comfortable, supportive mattress. The campaign advances the BSC’s mission by making the importance of sleep and mattress replacement top of mind in a fun, edgy way.

The annual focal point of the association's public relations campaign is Better Sleep Month (BSM) each May. Media hits for the campaign reach into the millions each year.[11] During BSM, the BSC has used a national spokesperson for a satellite and radio media tour, as well as 30: and 60: “In the Know” news vignettes, which are put on the BSC website.

The BSC has conducted several studies on consumer shopping behavior and the typical mattress replacement cycle. The council takes credit for helping reduce the average mattress replacement cycle from 13-plus years to about 10 years. The BSC sponsored a groundbreaking study conducted by the Oklahoma State University to scientifically evaluate whether a new mattress improves sleep quality and efficiency, while reducing back, spine, shoulder and neck stiffness, thus leading to a more restful night’s sleep. The results were positive.[12] This study is a resource for the BSC’s consumer messaging.

References

  1. ↑ "A Conversation With ISPA Chair Kathy Roedel." BedTimes Magazine. February 2016. Retrieved 2016-2-25.
  2. ↑ "International Sleep Products Association website: About Us www.sleepproducts.org/ispa/about-us/." Retrieved 2012-10-1.
  3. ↑ Julie A. Palm. "1915-1940: An Industry Comes Together". BedTimes Magazine. International Sleep Products Assn. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  4. ↑ Julie A. Palm. "1966-1990: The mattress industry and 'the challenge of change'". BedTimes Magazine. International Sleep Products Assn. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  5. ↑ Perry, David. "ISPA aims to step up pace as advocate of Industry." Furniture Today. April 28, 2011. Retrieved 2011-9-8.
  6. ↑ "ISPA Announces Product Safety Course." Home Furnishings Business. Aug. 2, 2011. Retrieved 2011-9-8.
  7. ↑ "Mattress Sales Jump in February." Home Furnishings News. March 29, 2010. Retrieved 2011-9-8.
  8. ↑ BedTimes magazine: About. http://bedtimesmagazine.com/about. Retrieved 2012-10-1.
  9. ↑ Horgan, Richard. Adweek.com. "BedTimes Magazine, a Trade Publication Devoted to the Production of Mattresses, Celebrates 100 Years Monthly publication is as old as Forbes." http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/bedtimes-magazine-100th-anniversary/ Retrieved 6 Aug. 2017.
  10. ↑ "BSC builds on a quarter century of PR to move industry forward." BedTimes Magazine. September 2004. Retrieved 2012-9-30.
  11. ↑ Perry, David. "New mattress can keep zombies at bay, says Better Sleep Council." Furniture Today. March 24, 2011. Retrieved 2011-9-8.
  12. ↑ Jacobson, Bert. "Study shows wealth of health benefits New mattress reduces pain & stiffness; improves sleep." BedTimes Magazine. June 2007. Retrieved 2011-9-8.
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