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. Canyon
Ranch Institute and its Harlem project will be featured.
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.
