OUR VISION
To position New York State as a premier desination for spa and wellness related industry, and to serve as a resource for information, education, advocacy and action for our member businesses.
OUR MISSION
To create awareness of New York State's vibrant spa and wellness businesses and to help support and facilitate their ongoing growth and prosperity.
OUR CORE VALUES
LEADING
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Our organization serves as an authority on the state and health of New York's spa businesses. We exist to educate those individuals or parties interested in understanding our industry and/or helping to maximize its potential.
INFLUENTIAL
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Where necessary, we advocate for the spa and wellness-related member businesses and resources. This network serves as a virtual community of like-minded individuals and companies who are interested in teaching and learning from one another.
VOICE
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We provide a forum by which our members may be heard, and exist as a common voice to achieve the business objectives shared by all.
OUR HISTORY
Throughout the 19th Century, New York State was a dominating center for mineral spring spas and related hospitality business in the United States. Over the past several years, the New York Spa business community has demonstrated a resurgence that is creating significant economic growth for New York in the areas of health, wellness and tourism. This resurgence will not only lead to new jobs throughout the state but can also be a key contributor to the rejuvenation of rural, suburban and urban communities throughout New York.
Given the potential of new York's spa industry as well as the need for both increased awareness and support of common business objectives, the New York Spa Alliance (NYSPA) was formed in 2004 to be the voice of our state's vibrant and growing spa business community.
BOARD MEMBERS
Mary Tabacchi
Mary Tabacchi is a founder of the International Spa Association, The New York Spa Alliance, and the Global Wellness Summit/Institute and on the Board of Green Spa Network, a member of the New York Academy of Science, Sigma Xi, and serves on the Board of the Ronald McDonald House in NYC and an early fellow of Cornell Institute of Healthy Living.
She is Professor Emerita, School of Hotel Administration, Johnson College of Business, Cornell University. Since 1972, Mary served as Professor and Researcher. Before joining The Hotel School in 1978, she taught in the Division of Nutritional Sciences and was a Sr. Research Associate in Plant Sciences at Cornell.
Her credentials include: an AB Drury University, MS and PhD, Purdue University and University of Minnesota in Biochemical Nutrition and Biostatistics. Ms. Tabacchi is a consultant for destination health resort development and Spa Menu Engineering as well as a developer of the 1st corporate wellness classes, adventure tourism, healthful tasty food menus, and Healthful Senior Living. Walking her Talk, she is an advocate for independent senior living/ fitness in the actively older senior population.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-tabacchi-abb8031/
Sallie Fraenkel
Sallie Fraenkel is the founder of Mind Body Spirit Network, where she applies her passion for and expertise in wellness travel and creating meaningful connections through her consulting practice with global hospitality and travel companies. Her portfolio also includes creating events focusing on the wellness lifestyle. Sallie has a certification in Coaching for Transformation. She is the former COO of SpaFinder Wellness, Inc.® and EVP of the Global Wellness Summit. Prior to that, she had a 20-year career with Showtime Networks Inc. Sallie serves on the boards of GSN Planet, Transformational Travel Council, NYSPA and the GWI Social Impact Initiative.
Jennifer Hawkins
Jennifer Hawkins is Founder and CEO of Hawkins International and Maverick Creative, two dynamic public relations agencies specializing in luxury hospitality, tourism, wellness and lifestyle brands. As a recognized leader and global player in public relations, communications and digital strategy, Jennifer is known as a connector and a leader and she strives to always she combines her passion for media, entrepreneurship and travel. Hawkins International earned a 5-Star ranking in 2021 as one of America’s Best PR Agencies in 2021 from Forbes, and Jennifer was recently named as one of the Top Women in PR, Entrepreneurs 2021 by PRNEWS. She is a voracious traveler having just surpassed visiting over 50 countries. Please visit www.hawkpr.com
Kendra Kobler
With over 10 years of experience in wellness and hospitality operations, Kendra Kobler has managed a range of innovative projects and programs aimed to grow and shape the wellness industry. She is currently the Director of Programs and Operations for the Global Wellness Institute and the Global Wellness Summit. During her five years with Delos, Kendra led the development and implementation of health and wellness solutions designed for top-tier hotels and resorts, corporate offices, and residences. She has focused on marketing and business development initiatives for key players in the industry including WTS International, Spafinder Wellness, and Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa. Kendra is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. During her studies, she was recognized for her leadership in spa education as a recipient of the International Spa Association’s Mary Tabacchi Scholarship.
Cheryl Hartsough, RD
Cheryl Hartsough has over 34 years of expertise working with the leaders in the spa industry as part of a team in design, development, spa cuisine and wellness programming, creative spa product development, skincare products, spa and salon consulting, FF&E and OS&E sourcing experience in the Spa, Hotel/Resort and Medical/Wellness industries. A specialist in the areas of spa operations and development, spa kitchen design, spa rooms design, operational needs, raising net profits for spas and hotel/resort companies, developers, architects, spa consultants and medical and day spas.
As Spa Consultant, Corporate Nutritionist and Spa Director, worked with Doral, PGA National Resort & Spa, Aspen Club, Nemacolin Woodlands, Trump Spa, Gurney's Inn, Red Mountain Spa, professional athletes, celebrity personalities and well-known organizations, including Kellogg’s, Walgreens, Coca Cola Research and Product Development, The Trump Spa at Mar-a-Lago, The Pittsburgh Pirates, the Philadelphia Phillies, Gatorade Speaker’s Network, and Your Health Magazine.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-hartsough-rd-41bb076
Yael Alkalay
Yael Alkalay is the owner and founder of Red Flower. Yael continued her pursuit of botanical practices in college and expanded her study of the art of perfuming and purifying rituals by traveling throughout Japan, where she visited traditional bathhouses and hot springs. There she worked as Creative Director for the iconic Japanese cosmetics company, Shiseido, and later returned to the United States to work briefly for Calvin Klein and get her M.B.A. at Columbia University. But it wasn’t until a life-altering accident during her twenties when she fully grasped her purpose. While skiing on vacation in France, she experienced an intensive stroke that made her realize how fleeting life is and how essential it is to live fully, with appreciation and awareness. After making a full recovery, the spark of Red Flower was ignited. Yael founded Red Flower in 1999 and opened a New York City boutique the following year.
Rachel Hogancamp
Rachel Hogancamp is the Founder and Managing Partner of Rasa Spa in Ithaca and Watkins Glen. Her career in wellness began in 1994 when she attended the Finger Lakes School of Massage where she went on to be an instructor until 2012. Rasa partnered with the Inns of Aurora to develop, launch, and operate an extraordinary destination wellness spa on a farm overlooking Cayuga Lake. The Spa opened in 2021 with two hydrotherapy circuits, thoughtfully designed single and co-ed spaces, and a grazing table. Outside of her work, Rachel spends time with her partner, family, and photographing birds and nature.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-hogancamp-7160584/
Kimberley Matheson
As Senior Vice President, at Arch Amenity Group, previously WTS International/Lifestart, Kim Matheson’s global responsibilities include providing strategy, business development, consulting, revenue, and operational support. Key Highlights:
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Thought Leadership in Wellness across Verticals to include Hospitality, Residential, Corporate, Senior Living and Commercial
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Innovative Revenue and Retail Strategies
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Global Expertise & Strategic Partners
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Business Development & Partners, “clients for life.”
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E-Commerce, mySpaShop.com and Retail Expertise
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NY Spa Alliance Board of Directors