Yesterday afternoon, we had the pleasure of taking tea with several of the spa industry's leading minds at the formal introduction of the Washington Spa Alliance, at The Jefferson hotel.
The mission of the organization is is to "act as a knowledge center, connecting spa professionals in the nation's greater capital region. WSPA works to promote the exchange of education and innovation in the field, and to ensure that the highest ideals of spa are met through policy and action."
We listened to a rousing speech by Debra Szekely, founder of the famed Rancho La Puerta and Golden Door Spa, as she motivated audience members to action and shared some of her insights from more than 70 years of experience in the spa industry. “This is a singular time in our nation's history when Washington is looking closely at how our country can be healthier.” She added, “Americans increasingly have turned to spas to learn about the importance of diet and exercise, the benefits of organic plant-based diets, to re-define ideas of beauty and well-being, and to learn techniques of stress-reduction, and preventive medicine.”
Attendees and board members present included Szekely, Mary Bemis of Organic Spa Magazine, Bernard "Bernie" Burt of SpaGoer.com, Laurie Dieter of Glen Ivy Hot Springs, Mary Gendron of Middleton & Gendron, Inc., Mary-Elizabeth "Muffin" Gifford of Island Outpost, and Ada Polla of Alchimie Forever. Media included Stephanie Green of the Huffington Post, Kelly Collis Frederick of City Shop Girl and Kate Michael of K Street Kate.
We look forward to hearing more about the initiatives of this wonderful organization during the coming months and particularly during the iSpa national convention in November, this year taking place in our very own Washington DC at the Gaylord hotel.
Additionally, WSPA will hold an annual symposium as well as ongoing news-maker events, share best practices, and engage in advocacy. WSPA’s First Annual Symposium will be held at the National Press Club on March 24, 2011.
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