Washington, D.C. – March 17, 2011 – The Washington Spa Alliance has a goal: to leverage the strength of the spa industry — with an estimated value of $12 billion a year — to make a more lasting contribution to the well-being of the nation. To that end, the alliance will hold its first annual symposium on March 24th. Pioneers in the field will discuss how spas can broaden their mission of promoting health and fitness, and will describe their vision. The honorary chair Deborah Szekely, founder of the legendary Rancho La Puerta and Golden Door spas, will set the tone by introducing keynoter Philippe Bourguignon, vice chairman of Revolution Places and CEO of Miraval. Jennifer Cabe, executive director of the non-profit Canyon Ranch Institute, will speak about transferring the best practices of Canyon Ranch to underserved communities through successful partnerships in the South Bronx, rural Missouri, inner-city Cleveland, South Tucson, and more.

 

Entitled “New Realities: Redefining the American Spa Experience,” the event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the National Press Club. Attendance is limited. Reservations are being accepted on a first-come basis at www.washingtonspaalliance.com/symposium/. Cost is $100 for Washington Spa Alliance members and $175 for non-members. (The non-member rate includes an annual membership in the organization.) Members or non-members paying full price may bring guests for $75 apiece (reduced rate excludes the annual membership).

 

The day includes a first-ever cooking collaboration between competing spas: Miraval Executive Chef Chad Luethje flies in from Tucson to work with National Press Club Executive Chef Susan Delbert (formerly of Canyon Ranch) using recipes from Miraval and Rancho La Puerta.
Symposium costs are defrayed thanks to the generous sponsorships of Precor and Universal Companies.

 

Washington Spa Alliance is a knowledge center, connecting spa professionals in the nation’s greater capital region. The group 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.

 

The schedule of sessions and speakers follows. Please refer to www.washingtonspaalliance.com for further updates between now and March 24th:

 

9:00 a.m.: Introduction & Welcome
Our Nation’s Health & What Spas Can Do to Help
Honorary Chair, Deborah Szekely
Founder Rancho La Puerta and the Golden Door

 

9:30 a.m.: Keynote Address
Global Realities & Impact on American Spa Industry
Philippe Bourguignon
Vice Chairman of Revolution Places, Washington, D.C. and
CEO of Miraval, Tucson, Arizona

 

HEALTH & CUISINE

10:00 a.m.: The Future of Integrative Medicine
A Vision for a Healthy & Fit Nation
Dr. Pamela Peeke, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P.,
Owner, Peeke Performance, Washington, D.C. and Special Advisor to the U.S. Surgeon General
-with-
Susie Ellis, President, SpaFinder
Brian Thiel, Government Relations Expert

 

10:30 a.m.: Best Practice: The Democratization of Spa
Jennifer Cabe, Executive Director and Board Member, Canyon Ranch Institute

 

11:00 a.m.: Conscious Cuisine A Conversation Among Pioneers
Nora Pouillon, Chef and Owner, Restaurant Nora, Washington, D.C., the nation’s first certified organic restaurant
- with -
Katrina Frey, President of Demeter USA, the certifier for Biodynamic® farms in the US, and Co-Founder and Executive Director of California’s Frey Vineyards, the nation’s first organic winery

 

11:45 a.m.: An Introduction to Spa Cuisine
Chad Luethje, Executive Chef, Miraval, shares his vision in an informative Q&A.

 

12:00 Noon – 1:00 p.m.: Luncheon – “A Taste of New Spa Cuisine”
Featuring recipes from Miraval and Rancho La Puerta, prepared by Miraval Executive Chef Chad Luethje and National Press Club Executive Chef Susan Delbert (formerly of Canyon Ranch). Organic and biodynamic wines from Frey Vineyards in Mendocino, Calif., will complement lunch.

 

SCIENCE, SPIRIT & BEAUTY

1:30 p.m.: Science versus Spirituality
The Psychology of Spirituality for Spa Programs
Jeremy McCarthy, Director of Spa Operations, Starwood Hotels and Resorts

 

2:00 p.m.: Spas & Healing Therapies
Anne Bramham, Founder of the American Spa Therapy & Education Certification Center

 

2:30 p.m.: Why Spirituality Equals Health
Stephen Kiesling, Editor in Chief, Spirituality & Health magazine

 

TRAVEL & THE ENVIRONMENT

3:00 p.m.: Panel Discussion
Moderated by Ted Ning, Executive Director, LOHAS, Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability
—with—
Roberto Arjona, Chief Executive, Rancho La Puerta and President, Green Spa Network

Martha Honey, Executive Director, CREST, Center for Responsible Travel

Kitty Yancey, Travel Writer, USA Today

 

VISIONARIES

4:00 p.m.: Visionary Panel
With the Washington Spa Alliance Honorary Board
Moderated by Mary-Elizabeth Gifford, Vice Chair, Washington Spa Alliance, and Senior Advisor, Chris Blackwell’s FieldSpa
—with—
Philippe Bourguignon, Vice Chair, Revolution Places
Susie Ellis, President, SpaFinder
Martha Honey, Executive Director, Center for Responsible Travel
Ted Ning, Executive Director, LOHAS
Dr. Pamela Peeke, Owner, Peeke Performance
Nora Pouillon, Chef and Owner, Restaurant Nora

 

Washington Spa Alliance recognizes that this is a singular time in our nation’s history when Washington is looking closely at how our country can be healthier. Americans increasingly have turned to spas to learn the importance of diet and exercise, the benefits of organic plant-based diets, to redefine ideas of beauty and wellbeing, and to learn techniques of stress-reduction, and preventive medicine.

 

Washington Spa Alliance believes that the greater spa industry’s pioneering efforts encompass a unique inter-disciplinary approach to fitness, travel, alternative and preventive medicine, and a connection to nature, as well as sustainable practices ranging from economics to agriculture.

 

TO REGISTER: For complete updates to the schedule of presenters and topics and to register for the Symposium, log onto http://www.washingtonspaalliance.com/symposium. Washington Spa Alliance is located at 1010 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 201, Washington, D.C. 20007.

Tags: spa, spa community, symposium