Generation Reinvention 41: Boomers and the Future of the Spa Industry

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In the United States, the spa industry is comprised of nearly 14,000 facilities generating $9.7 billion in annual revenues. Spas are a leading leisure industry and well suited to be at the forefront of the green movement. Spas are also of high value to aging Boomers as a path toward greater health and emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Green Spa Network (GSN) is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit, trade association. Their purpose is to bring sustainable operating practices to the spa industry, and to promote the natural connections between personal wellbeing, economic sustainability, and the health of the planet.

The goals of GSN are:

•    To bring sustainable operating practices to the spa industry.
•    To facilitate education, research and alliances in sustainable business practices.
•    To promote the natural connections between personal wellbeing, economic sustainability, and health of our planet.

This program examines intersections between the spa industry, sustainability and the priorities of a generation determined to explore all paths toward healthier aging, with emphasis on profound transformational experiences.

Michael Stusser is founder of Osmosis, a popular spa in northern California. His early career was in organic gardening; he helped found three training centers still in operation today including the Agroecology program at UC Santa Cruz. Deeply moved by the Japanese garden and Zen Buddhism, Michael studied these traditional arts in Kyoto Japan.

His discovery of the Cedar Enzyme Bath was a life-changing experience that led him to create Osmosis. This destination day spa has grown in twenty-five years into a nationally known hospitality location on five acres with extensive mediation gardens. Osmosis was recently acknowledged as “Americas Most Spiritual Spa” by Spirituality and Health magazine.

Michael is a founding member and prime mover in the creation and establishment of Green Spa Network, a trade association of over 200 like-minded spa professionals dedicated to cultivating the vital connection between personal well being, economic sustainability and the health of our planet.

Christina MacInnes is Chief Operating Officer for Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa. Chris and her husband Jim have transformed this family-owned business into one of the Midwest’s premier four-season resort destinations. In addition, she is president of Crystal Properties Inc., the resort’s development company, and serves on its board of directors.

Active within the state and local community, Chris currently sits on the boards of Munson Healthcare and Priority Health. She has served on the Michigan Travel Commission from 2002-10 and as chair from 2006-09. She also served as chairperson of the Michigan State Chamber, the Traverse City Area Chamber, president of the Benzie County Economic Development Corp., and was a member of the Michigan Land Use Leadership Council.

Chris has been the recipient of numerous honors including the Traverse Area Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award (2009) and Athena Award (2000). A graduate of St. Lawrence University and member of its Athletic Hall of Fame, she earned her BA in German, which included studies at the University of Vienna.

To Contact Michael Stusser

707-874-1963

http://www.osmosis.com/

http://greenspanetwork.org/

To Contact Christina MacInnes

231-378-2000 ext. 2501

http://www.crystalmountain.com/