When disaster strikes – as it has so often this year in the US and Caribbean – Debra Neill is there to help. Neill runs the nonprofit Salon and Spa Relief Fund, which she founded in 2005 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. A native of Louisiana, which suffered massive flooding and devastation from the storm, Neill has been a distributor for spa and salon supplier Aveda in the southeast US for decades.
She wanted to help, and knew many in her industry were suffering – it’s not always easy (or even possible) to get flood insurance in many areas, and small, family-run businesses were hit especially hard as they tried to pick up the pieces. “We were devastated by Katrina and we started raising money for salons and day spas that were affected,” says Neill.
The money raised helps spa owners and their employees rebuild their lives and businesses after a natural disaster or a fire. The goal is to get businesses up-and-running as soon as possible, but also to see people through, who may be out of work for weeks or months while repairs take place.
After the extreme weather in the US this summer, Neill created a ‘Hurricanes Harvey and Irma 500 Challenge’ to raise funds for those in the industry affected by the storms. In the first few weeks after Harvey, the organisation distributed US$32,000, but Neill called on the industry to contribute more due to the extent of the damage and the number of people in the spa industry affected. The goal is for 500 businesses to donate US$500 in order to raise a total of US$250,000.
Since its inception, the Spa and Salon Relief Fund has distributed more than US$200,000 for those dealing with everything from flooding to fires. A board of directors reviews grant applications, but aims to get money to people quickly. For Hurricane Harvey, Neill reports that cheques were distributed to people within 10 days; some recipients faced chest-high water in their facilities, and many were unable to carry flood insurance.
Neill said the organisation keeps about US$20,000 in reserve so they are ready to help immediately when a disaster strikes.
“It’s unfortunate, but it seems like it’s going to be an ongoing need,” said Neill. “We’re committed to keeping money in that account because these natural disasters keep coming.”
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2017 issue 4
Promotional feature: Anne Semonin
Katherine Connolly, newly appointed global
director of retail and spa operations at Anne
Semonin, discusses her plans for the brand
Promotional feature: Thalion
Thalion is the first company to develop highly
specialised mineral therapies for clients, says
training manager Sophie Alemany
Research: Finishing touch
A new study shows that massage can
help muscle re-growth after an injury –
even when applied to the opposite limb
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
When disaster strikes – as it has so often this year in the US and Caribbean – Debra Neill is there to help. Neill runs the nonprofit Salon and Spa Relief Fund, which she founded in 2005 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. A native of Louisiana, which suffered massive flooding and devastation from the storm, Neill has been a distributor for spa and salon supplier Aveda in the southeast US for decades.
She wanted to help, and knew many in her industry were suffering – it’s not always easy (or even possible) to get flood insurance in many areas, and small, family-run businesses were hit especially hard as they tried to pick up the pieces. “We were devastated by Katrina and we started raising money for salons and day spas that were affected,” says Neill.
The money raised helps spa owners and their employees rebuild their lives and businesses after a natural disaster or a fire. The goal is to get businesses up-and-running as soon as possible, but also to see people through, who may be out of work for weeks or months while repairs take place.
After the extreme weather in the US this summer, Neill created a ‘Hurricanes Harvey and Irma 500 Challenge’ to raise funds for those in the industry affected by the storms. In the first few weeks after Harvey, the organisation distributed US$32,000, but Neill called on the industry to contribute more due to the extent of the damage and the number of people in the spa industry affected. The goal is for 500 businesses to donate US$500 in order to raise a total of US$250,000.
Since its inception, the Spa and Salon Relief Fund has distributed more than US$200,000 for those dealing with everything from flooding to fires. A board of directors reviews grant applications, but aims to get money to people quickly. For Hurricane Harvey, Neill reports that cheques were distributed to people within 10 days; some recipients faced chest-high water in their facilities, and many were unable to carry flood insurance.
Neill said the organisation keeps about US$20,000 in reserve so they are ready to help immediately when a disaster strikes.
“It’s unfortunate, but it seems like it’s going to be an ongoing need,” said Neill. “We’re committed to keeping money in that account because these natural disasters keep coming.”
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2017 issue 4
Promotional feature: Anne Semonin
Katherine Connolly, newly appointed global
director of retail and spa operations at Anne
Semonin, discusses her plans for the brand
Promotional feature: Thalion
Thalion is the first company to develop highly
specialised mineral therapies for clients, says
training manager Sophie Alemany
Research: Finishing touch
A new study shows that massage can
help muscle re-growth after an injury –
even when applied to the opposite limb
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’
planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–
Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-
Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional
revenue opportunities.
The UK government has announced a temporary reduction in VAT on visitor attractions and
children’s meals as part of a summer cost-of-living support package designed to stimulate the
visitor economy and encourage family days out.
As designer Yinka Ilori prepares for his first solo gallery show in London, he speaks exclusively
to CLADmag about his mission to spread joy, the power of play, and his bold approach to using
colour (including the colours you won’t see in his work).
The government of Thailand is exploring plans for a THB300bn (£6.3bn, US$8.3bn)
entertainment complex in the country’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with officials
proposing a large-scale theme park and sports destination as part of a broader tourism and
economic development strategy.
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
