Pulse October 2017 | Page 54

2017 Innovate Awards: Celebrating Innovation Within the Spa Industry For Four yEArS, the iSpa innovate awards have recognized deserving iSpa members for their unique contributions to the spa industry. applications and nominations were open to all iSpa members in the categories of experiences, leadership, philanthropy, products, technology & equipment, and treatments, and then voted on by the entire iSpa community. This year’s 15 deserving winners all have one thing in common: their desire and ability to push the limits, break down barriers and truly exhibit the essence of innovation. Experiences 2017 Innovate Awards the Spa at Meadowood Napa valley MICHAEL CoNtE n dIrECtor oF SPA & WELLNESS Who says you can’t have your wine and drink it too? Nestled in Napa Valley, Meadowood Spa partnered with local biodynamic and organic wineries to develop a retreat that provides guests with a wellness experience without having to sacrifice the fun and flavor of wine country. “We think it’s important to teach our guests about moderation,” says Michael Conte, director of spa and wellness at Meadowood. “We all want to live a healthier lifestyle but sometimes that makes people think they can’t enjoy certain things that are deemed ‘not good for you.’ We wanted to create something that fits our location and has a fun twist.” Meadowood Spa began offering “Wine and Wellness, a California wine country wellness retreat” in January 2017, which takes guests on a thorough tour of Meadowood’s winery partners’ grounds and shows guests all the intricacies of what their farming and wine making procedures are. 52 PULSE ■ October 2017 t he St. regis Aspen resort IrISHA StEELE n SPA dIrECtor Sometimes, you must go outside the spa to let the true healing begin. At Remède Spa at The St. Regis Aspen, The Mala Experience provides a new, next gener- ation wellness experience for guests and includes one-on-one intention-setting with a spiritual guide, a custom mala bead necklace based on the guest’s personal mantra, Qigong meditation, a river-blessing ceremony, and healthy provisions to promote peace of mind. “This experience fulfills the mind, body and soul through connection, self-awareness and lifestyle practices,” says Spa Director Irisha Steele. “It creates a full experience incorporating the outdoor beauty of Aspen and is an unexpected and multi- sensory adventure that allows guests to feel deeper sense of relaxation.”