WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 21, 2011 – Luminaries from the field of spa and complementary disciplines comprise an Honorary Board of advisors assembled by the Board of Directors of Washington Spa Alliance (WSPA). The organization, formed earlier this year, has enlisted the spa industry’s “godmother” – Deborah Szekely, founder of Rancho La Puerta in Baja California and Golden Door in Escondido, California — as its Honorary Chair. She is joined by an illustrious selection of credentialed experts from disciplines including spa, complementary medicine, academia, travel, sustainable environment, and food and beverage.

 

Washington Spa Alliance’s Honorary Board is comprised of distinguished industry thought leaders whose valued knowledge, insights and opinions may be tapped by WSPA’s Board of Directors as an aid in enhancing and advancing strategy and programs. The initial term of service is two years. The inaugural Honorary Board is as follows:

 

Deborah Szekely, Chair
Founder
Rancho La Puerta
Tecate, Baja, California, Mexico
Golden Door
Escondido, California

 

Franck Arnold
Managing Director
The Jefferson Hotel
Washington, D.C.

 

Brent Bauer, M.D.
Director, Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota

 

Philippe Bourguinon
Vice Chairman
Revolution Places
CEO, Miraval
Washington, D.C.

 

Susie Ellis
President
Spa Finder, Inc.
New York, New York

 

Gary Henkin
President and Founder
WTS International
Rockville, Maryland

 

Martha Honey, Ph.D.
Executive Director, CREST
Center for Responsible Travel
Stanford University
Palo Alto, California and
Washington, D.C.

 

Sheila Johnson
Founder and CEO
Salamander Hospitality
Middleburg, Virginia

 

Ted Ning
President
LOHAS
Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability
Boulder, Colorado

 

Pamela Peeke, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P.
Special Advisor to the U.S. Surgeon General and
Owner
Peeke Performance
Washington, D.C.

 

Nora Pouillon
Owner
Restaurant Nora
Washington, D.C.

 

Mary Tabacchi
Professor
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York

 

The Honorary Board will be tapped by the organization’s working board to assist in carrying out the mission of Washington Spa Alliance which is to act as a knowledge center, connecting spa professionals within the nation’s greater capital region while raising awareness of the robust spa community here. The organization promotes the exchange of education and innovation in the field, and works to ensure that the highest ideals of spa are met through policy and action.

 

Washington Spa Alliance recognizes 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. The group’s role is to serve as catalyst for discussion and action that builds a coalition among individuals and organizations with complementary vision.

 

The organization’s First Annual Symposium will be held at the National Press Club on March 24, 2011.

 

For membership or additional information, contact: Washington National Spa Alliance, 1010 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 201, Washington, D.C. 20007; 202.530.3931; info@washingtonspaalliance.com; http://www.washingtonspaalliance.com.

Tags: spa, spa professionals