You're invited to the 2012 NYSPA Symposium. This year we are holding the Symposium in honor of the late Guy Tabacchi, strong supporter and friend of the organization and spa industry. It's time to register now. Details for the Symposium are as follows:

Date: May 24, 2012

Time: 8:30am-6:30pm

Where: Desmond Tutu Center, 180 10th Avenue  New York, NY

Who:    Panel with Leading Spa Directors
            Panel with Outstanding Vendors
            Panel with Founders and CEOs
            Medical Panel
            Complementary Medical Panel
            Hot Hotel Spas Panel
            Innovative Keynoters

Why: Knowledge, Networking and Fun – Lots of Audience Participation

Included: Breakfast Snack, Lunch and Networking Cocktail

Hotel Rooms: $239 (not including taxes) – incredibly large, comfy rooms  - Yes – in Manhattan. If you are interested in booking a room, please email molly.c.southern@gmail.com. 

We look forward to seeing you in May,

The NYSPA Board 

NYSPA Symposium Agenda                                                   May 24, 2012
Theme: Re-Imagining the Spa Industry                             Desmond Tutu Center, NYC

7:30-8:15am    Breakfast Snack                     Matthews Room Foyer

8:15-8:25am    Welcome                               Matthews Room
Mary Tabacchi, Chairperson, NYSPA
Melinda Choi, GM of Desmond Tutu Center

8:25-9:05am    Growing Business: Growing Economy?                                                         
Wendy Bosalavage, President, American Leisure

Denise Dubois, Owner, Complexions Spa

Heather Hannig, Spa Director, Mandarin Oriental NYC

Sandra Sadowski, Director of Spa and Fitness, Ritz- Carlton, NYC

Cornelia Zicu, Creative Director, Red Door Holdings

9:05-9:40    Inflammation and Its Mediators: Physical, Mental/Emotional and Spiritual
Dr. AnnaLisa Pastore, MD, Physician, CHI Medicine                                                                                                              

9:40-10:20    New Product Trends for the Consumer of the Future
Yael Alkalay, Owner, Red Flower

Melisse Gelula, Founder, Well and Good

Ron Kline, Consultant with PwC Advisory, Retail & Consumer Practices

Jennine Hannaway, Hannaway PR

10:20-10:30    Coffee Break                         Matthews Room Foyer

10:30-11:35    Why Research Matters – A Call to Arms 

Andrea Foster, Vice President, PKFC

Jan Freitag, VP Global Development, Smith Travel Research

Anne R. Lloyd-Jones, Managing Director, CRE, at HVS

Kim Matheson, President/CEO Natural Resources Spa Consulting

Nikita Sarkar, Lead Researcher, Cornell Spa Development Research

11:35- 12:05    Acupuncture and Facial Rejuvenation
Michael Jabbour, President Emeritus of the Acupuncture Society of New York President, American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Laura Kauffmann, L.Ac. Expert on Non Invasive “Face Lifts”

12:05-12:30     New Antidotes to Hectic Lives  
Dr. Belisa Vranich, Psychologist, Author and TV Personality

12:30-1:40pm Networking Lunch                    Refectory

1:40:-2:10    Happiness Research: What it Means to Spas    Matthews Room       
Jeremy McCarthy, Director Global Spa Development & Operations                                                     Starwood Hotels Worldwide

2:10-2:35pm     The Toxicity of Sedentary Life Styles
Dr. Lorraine Maita, MD, Physician and Author, “Vibrance for Life”

2:35-3:20pm     Spa and Hotel Development –What is the Status?
Ryan Crabbe, Senior Director, Development and Operations of Spas, Hilton Worldwide

Shawn Hallum, Vice President, Red Door Holdings

Neil Jacobs, President Hotel Group at Starwood Capital

Mark Keiser, Vice President Luxury & Resort Development Starwood Hotels

Chris Pulito, Chief Operating Officer, Mirbeau Hospitality Services

3:20 – 3:35pm Coffee Break                          Matthews Room Foyer

3:35 – 4:05    The Year That eCommerce Walked Through my Front Door                                                   

Daniel Lizio-Katzen, COO, SpaBooker by GramercyOne

4:05 – 4:40pm Vendor Contemplations: Working with NYSPA
Valerie Bennis, Essence of Vali                                                                                                         

David Carter, Education Business Director Institut Esthederm, USA

Alfredo Carvajal, Executive Vice President, Universal Companies

Cheryl Hartsough, Regional Sales Manager, tng Worldwide

Lisa Heinemann, Director of Marketing and Sales, Sothys-USA                                                                                                       

4:40-5:25pm   Why Aren’t Americans Healthier – What the Spa Community Must Do 
Elena Brower, Founder, Co-Owner, Virayoga

Doug Drummond, Spa Director, Cowshed Spa at the Soho House

Laurie Gerber, President of Life Coaching, The Handel Group

Dr. Frank Lipman, MD, Author, Founder and Director, Eleven Eleven Wellness Center

5:25-5:40pm  Remembering Guy  
Judith Jackson, Owner Judith Jackson Inc and Leslie Leonard, General Manager, La Tourelle with August Moon Spa

5:40-6:40       Wine, Hors D’oeuvres & Networking            Refectory