My 15 years at the International Sleep Products Association have taught me this: When our industry aligns behind a clear, consistent message, we can shape how consumers think—and how they buy. That’s exactly what the Better Sleep Council is built to do—educate consumers, strengthen trust, and keep sleep at the center of the conversation. Because at the end of the day, we’re not just making and selling products. We’re fueling better sleep, and better sleep fuels better living.
In 1961, the National Association of Bedding Manufacturers—the organization that would become ISPA—launched the first Better Sleep Month. Long before “wellness” became a cultural movement, long before people tracked their REM cycles on their wrists, and long before anyone talked about “sleep hygiene,” this industry understood something foundational: Sleep is essential, and the mattress matters.
Every May, we get a chance to remind consumers that sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity—and that the products you design, engineer, refine, build, and supply make quality sleep possible. When consumers understand the importance of a mattress, they buy better. And when our industry aligns behind that message, everyone wins.
The BSC exists to lead the kind of consumer education efforts that are challenging and costly for individual companies to carry out on their own:
- Deliver national consumer-facing messaging.
- Produce research grounded in real behaviors and real market shifts.
- Create shareable content that reaches millions.
- Offer blogs, podcasts, videos, and education that make sleep human, relatable, and worth talking about.
- Elevate the sleep conversation so retailers can have more meaningful conversations
with shoppers.
The BSC helps build awareness and interest—providing clearer information, more education, and a deeper understanding of how sleep products contribute to overall well-being. That engagement naturally moves upstream, where you play a critical role in shaping the sleep experience.
Our work supports a more informed, more confident shopper—ready to invest in better sleep to improve how they feel, work, parent, recover, and function, and whom we are continuously educating to fully appreciate the expertise, commitment, and ingenuity this industry brings to life.
So, as we head into May, I’m asking our industry to lean in with us. Share the BSC’s messages. Follow our channels. Point your partners and retailers to our content. And use our research and insights to fuel your own storytelling.
When the industry aligns, the narrative gets stronger. With everything happening in today’s market, clarity and consistency matter more than ever.
Better Sleep Month isn’t just a campaign. It’s a legacy. It’s a strategic opportunity. And it’s our annual moment to move this industry forward—together.
Let’s help the world sleep better. Let’s help people choose better sleep and feel great about the beds they bring home.
Mary Helen Rogers,
Chief Marketing Officer, ISPA
