SAN FRANCISCO—Sally Robb Haims Public Relations has launched one of the country’s first public relations practices specializing in media relations for sustainable spas, hotels, and beauty companies. The Green Spa Network (GSN) recently named Sally Robb Haims Public Relations as their agency.
The GSN is a group of prominent North American spas dedicated to bringing sustainable design and operating practices to the spa industry and to promoting the natural connections between personal well-being, economic sustainability, and the health of the planet. Based in San Francisco, Sally Robb Haims Public Relations will initially assist with strategic counsel and media relations for the group of six founding or “seed spas.” Founding spas include Auberge Resorts, Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa, Natural Body Spa & Shoppe, Naturopathica Spa, Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, and Strong House Spa.
With nearly 14,000 facilities generating almost $10 billion in annual revenues, spas are a leading leisure industry and naturally suited to be at the forefront of the green movement. From day spas to resorts, the spa industry typically utilizes precious environmental resources for water-based treatments, laundry services, pools, and landscaping. Implementing green practices is a win-win situation for the environment, raising awareness among spa guests, employees and business partners, as well as the spas’ bottom lines and marketing programs.
“Globally, we’re all going green,” Haims says. “We recycle; we don’t use plastic grocery bags; we’re mindful of our carbon footprints. Why should our environmental principles go out the window when we visit spas and hotels?”
A Green Networking Opportunity
A much needed resource for the spa community, the Green Spa Network seeks to help spas and spa professionals reap the financial and social benefits from implementing environmentally friendly business practices, without compromising the luxury experiences that guests have come to expect. The intention of the organization is to synergize greening efforts among network members as a way to support spas in reducing their ecological impact, while improving energy efficiencies and reducing operational costs.
The Green Spa Network’s inaugural program is being conducted in collaboration with one of the country’s leading environmental management firms, Natural Logic Inc. Each seed spa has committed to an in-depth environmental assessment and action plan that will provide them with the expertise to assist other spas interested in joining the Network. The opportunity remains for a few more spas to become members of the founding group.
Future Green Spa Network projects will be aimed at providing resources for the spa community as a whole and will include: the release of a Green Spa Toolkit; an annual meeting to exchange ideas on greening; and an Internet forum to foster collaboration among spas seeking to green their operations.
Known for her ability to devise creative concepts that generate top tier media coverage, Haims has over a decade of experience providing marketing communications for hotels, spas, and beauty lines. She led the Americas’ P.R. efforts for the pioneering, sustainable beauty company, The Body Shop. She also publicized The Claremont Resort & Spa, The Westin St. Francis Hotel, and L’Auberge Del Mar Resort, as well as serving on Historic Hotels of America’s P.R. committee.
