After launching their first symposium , Washington Spa Alliance set off long-term plans as well as initiated collaborative partnerships with other organizations , including ISPA . To read more about how the group set their long-term agenda and collaborated with other groups , visit Pulse at experienceispa . com . launch , we enlisted a partner location — The Jefferson Hotel with its big heart and jewelbox spa . The event was organized as a “ spa tea ” hosted by management of the conveniently located hotel , a charter member . We secured the participation of our Honorary Board Chair , Deborah Szekely , founder of Rancho LaPuerta and Golden Door , whose imprint on Washington , D . C ., and matters of national policy , mirror her influence in the spa world . We invited additional members of our Honorary Board ( Dr . Pam Peeke and Susie Ellis attended ) as well as area spa owners , operators and managers , and , importantly , members of the press . The event was well-attended and garnered immediate and positive press coverage which helped to quickly put the organization on the map and helped to jump-start a membership drive which has since been put into the capable hands of one of our working board members , Susan Gwaltney .
● Engage members quickly and often : Once launched , we set about fully organizing , by enlisting area spa professionals who we thought would make effective board members . We held our first official meeting as Washington Spa Alliance at my office boardroom and elected our full working board headed by co-chairs Sharilyn Abbajay and Bernard Burt and populated by former Steering Committee members and other new members of the organization . Later that day , we held a member mixer , which has become a mainstay of our activities . It serves as a gathering for existing members and an introduction for potential new members . We are now in the process of establishing an ongoing calendar of events , each themed and highlighted by a speaker .
● Make the bold move : While still a fledgling association , we took the confident step to plan and execute our first symposium : “ New Realities : Redefining the American Spa Experience ” which was held at the National Press Club last March . Co-chaired by Mary Bemis and Bernard Burt , the symposium kicked off with Deborah Szekely , followed by a keynote address by Philippe Bourguignon , Vice Chairman of Washington , D . C . - based Revolution Places and CEO of Miraval , setting the stage for programming that addressed : Health & Cuisine ; Science , Spirituality & Beauty ; and Travel & The Environment . “ A Taste of New Spa Cuisine ” featured recipes from Miraval and Rancho La Puerta at lunchtime , and the day ended with a Visionary Panel featuring members in attendance from our Honorary Board . Sponsorship from Precor and Universal Companies and corporate support from Miraval , Rancho La Puerta and Glen Ivy Hot Springs helped to minimize the symposium ’ s registration fee which included a one-year membership in the organization . This boosted our member roster which today includes areabased headquarters of Hilton Hotels Worldwide and Marriott International as well as day and hotel spas and regional representatives of major brands including Red Door Spas and Sprayology . ■
After launching big , Washington Spa Alliance gets to work through its first symposium on " New Realities : Redefining the American Spa Experience ."
TO KNOW MORE about the mission , events and membership benefits of Washington Spa Alliance , visit washingtonspaalliance . com .
For a complete list of the Washington Spa Alliance Board of Directors and Honorary Board , visit digital Pulse at experienceispa . com .
November 2011 ■ PULSE 47