WHITEFISH, MONTANA – Principals Doug Chambers and Cary Collier of Blu Spas Inc., a leading international spa design, consulting, and management company, recently hired Ann Emich-Patton as Senior Consultant and Karen Steidl as Consultant. The two new consultants bring a combined experience of over 27 years in directing many of the nation’s most prestigious award-winning luxury spas and will continue to build Blu Spas Inc.’s reputation for creating notable spas for exceptional hotels, resorts and real estate developments worldwide. Ms. Emich-Patton and Ms. Steidl join Blu Spas’ Senior Consultant Lisa Henry. To date, the company has participated in over 120 innovative projects in 20 countries and has one of the most respected portfolios of any consulting firm in the industry today.

Veteran spa director Ann Emich-Patton’s career has been defined by her focus on the development and management of some of the most prestigious spa facilities in the country. Her innovative approach to creating highly successful, profit-driven resort spas is centered on blending unique, indigenous spa programs with strong guest service orientation and highly trained staff. Over half of the luxury spas Ms. Emich-Patton has directed have garnered Conde Nast’s “Top Spas” recognition while under her direction.

Scottish-native Karen Steidl recently held the corporate-appointed position overseeing all North American spas within Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Her responsibilities included new design review, FF&E procurement, menu planning, quality control, new manager development, employee training and standards compliance, operations efficiency, and retail analysis.

Lisa Henry has a broad range of experience in the wellness and spa industries, including positions as general manager and director of operations for luxury resorts. Her expertise includes concept design, operations set-up, spa menu development, product development, and management review. Ms. Henry has been a key contributor to Blu Spas since its inception.

Says Mr. Chambers, “We are thrilled to have such high-caliber talent on our team. We look forward to expanding our commitment and services to the rapidly-growing industry and are confident that Ann and Karen will join Lisa in making valuable contributions to our efforts. These three ladies have a track record of excellence, and their experience, professionalism, and ingenuity are great assets for Blu Spas.”

Whether it’s project planning and design; management and training; branding and financial analysis; or developing spa menus, product selections and operations manuals, Blu Spas Inc. brings extraordinary talent, diverse experience, a willingness to explore new ideas and a commitment to delivering work that is responsive to the client’s vision. Blu Spas’ client list includes some of the world’s best spas and salons including The Spas at Four Seasons Resorts; Evian Spa, Shanghai; Ritz Carlton Resort, Palm Beach; Rock Spa at the Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas; and the Yamaguchi Salons & Spa throughout California, among others.

BIOGRAPHIES

Ann Emich-Patton, Senior Consultant

Ann Emich-Patton’s spa career began in 1985 as Corporate Wellness Director for E.I. Dupont’s first onsite Executive Wellness Center. Four years later, she shifted into the resort spa sector as opening Spa Director for Key West’s Pier House Caribbean Spa. In 1992, she served as Assistant Spa Director on the opening management team for The Spa at PGA National (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida). Ms. Emich-Patton’s other luxury resort spa directorships include:

In addition to her hands-on executive leadership, Ms. Emich-Patton has served as consultant and advisor to many leading hotel companies, including Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons. She also serves on the University of California (Irvine) Spa Certification Advisory Board and the Resort/Hotel Association Spa Advisory Task Force.

Ms. Emich-Patton is a magna cum laude graduate of Lock Haven University (Lock Haven, PA) and received her Masters of Arts (Education) degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a 15-year member of ISPA. Ann resides in Scottsdale, AZ with her husband and son...

Karen Steidl, Consultant

With a passion for health, fitness, and well-being, Karen has been part of the spa industry for over seventeen years. As Corporate Spa Director for the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in North America, Ms. Steidl’s responsibilities included new design review, FF&E procurement, menu planning, quality control, new manager development, employee training and standards compliance, operations efficiency, and retail analysis. In addition, she held opening spa director positions at both Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale and Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole properties. While under her direction, both spas received constant media recognition and Mobil’s 4-Diamond Spa awards.

A Scottish native, Ms. Steidl’s career with world-renowned spa resorts gives her a deep understanding and a broad perspective of both European and American spa markets. Karen was with two of Scotland’s most prestigious hotels - St. Andrews Old Course Hotel and Turnberry Hotel, where she was part of their spa’s original opening team – as well as Ihilani Resort and Spa on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii.

Ms. Steidl has a proven track record in all aspects of spa operations such as pre- and post- opening, menu design and planning, treatment design, and treatment training and protocols, as well as employee and spa development.

Luxury properties for which Ms. Steidl has provided her expertise in management, technical support, and consulting capacities include:

Ms. Steidl, a European-trained massage therapist, aesthetician, and salon technician, resides in Jackson Hole with her husband of thirteen years.

Lisa M. Henry, Senior Consultant

Ms. Henry, a native of Vermont, has dedicated her life to the pursuit of health, wellness, and adventure. She received her undergraduate degree in Commercial Recreation Management from the State University of New York and a Masters in Holistic Health Education from the John F. Kennedy University in California.

She held positions as General Manager at The Lodge at Skylonda (Conde Nast Traveler Magazine “Hot List” 1998 and 1999) and Director of Operations for sister properties The Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, California, and Jean-Michael Cousteau Resort in Fiji from 1993-1999. Ms. Henry is also certified as a personal trainer and yoga instructor (ACSM – American College of Sports Medicine, Yoga Fit) and has owned her own hiking and wellness company.

Ms. Henry’s expertise is in concept design, operations set-up, spa service, product development and management consulting. She has promoted and educated within the spa and wellness industry through features in Travel & Leisure, Shape, and Conde Nast Traveler magazines and appearances on E! Entertainment and LifeStyles television programs.

She enjoys all outdoor adventure including hiking, backpacking, and whitewater kayaking. Ms. Henry lives in Colorado with her husband and two sons.

Blu Spas, Inc. is an international spa design, consulting, and management company that is an industry leader in award-winning spas. With corporate headquarters in Whitefish, Montana and ancillary offices in Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Bali, the company continues to build on their award-winning reputation in creating spas for exceptional hotels, resorts and real estate developments worldwide. Principals Cary Collier and Doug Chambers have participated in over 120 innovative projects in 20 countries and have one of the most respected portfolios of any consulting firm in the industry today. For more information, call 406.862.2200. www.bluspasinc.com