Westin Hotels forms Renewal Council

Westin Hotels & Resorts has formed the Westin Renewal Council, a panel of six lifestyle experts who will advise on initiatives that bring to life the brand’s positioning of personal renewal.

Westin has partnered with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) of Los Angeles to identify top experts to provide tips and editorial content for a new dedicated website along with a signature in-room television channel. The Renewal Council - which includes trainer to the stars David Kirsch, renowned psychologist Dr. Dale V. Atkins and TV’s home-makeover consultant Vern Yip - will provide a full range of advice that will help guests lead happier, more fulfilling lives.

Westin will introduce the Renewal Council to hotel guests through an exclusive in-room television channel to include lifestyle content and renewal-inspired programming. Working with Westin and their in-room entertainment group, Council Members will help develop programming specific to their areas of expertise and advise on the direction of the channel, which is in development and anticipated to begin appearing in rooms in the beginning of 2008.

Westin has also launched an interactive website findrenewal.com, where visitors can read advice, recipes and tips from the Renewal Council, organized in helpful categories such as “Unwind”, “Energize” and “Create”. Ranging from how to infuse a workspace with personal style to eating well for better performance on the road, the daily tips are available via email and RSS feed and can also be delivered directly to users’ desktops or blogs via a custom widget.

“The Westin Renewal Council was introduced to help people live their best lives,” said Sue Brush, senior vice president of Westin Hotels & Resorts. “With an in-room channel for guests and a dedicated website that features rich content cultivated by the council, our hope is to be a daily resource for people in search of simple and meaningful ways to enrich their lives.”

The Westin Renewal Council

Fitness: David Kirsch - Trainer to the stars and best-selling author of Sound Mind, Sound Body and The Ultimate New York Body Plan, Kirsch will share his personal fitness philosophy, which emphasizes fast, healthy, long-lasting results and mind-body conditioning. Kirsch is a regular contributor to Shape magazine and a frequent guest on shows such as “Today” and “Extreme Makeover;” he is also the owner of the Madison Square Club in Manhattan.

Nutrition: Akasha Richmond - Richmond is the chef and owner of catering and event company Akasha’s Visionary Cuisine, co-founding chef of natural and healthy takeout company Eaturna and celebrity chef to Silk Soymilk. Her extensive experience cooking for celebrities and her unmatched enthusiasm for healthy eating have led her to cater at such events as the Grammys and Sundance Film Festival, and to write HOLLYWOOD DISH: More Than 150 Delicious, Healthy Recipes From Hollywood's Chef to the Stars.

Psychology: Dr. Dale V. Atkins - Licensed psychologist Dr. Atkins has more than 25 years of experience as a relationship expert, focusing on managing stress and maintaining balance. Atkins is also a communications consultant for corporations, advice columnist for the weddingchannel.com and author of numerous books, including Sanity Savers, and I’m OK, You’re My Parents. A frequent lecturer and contributor to various morning programs, Dr. Atkins maintains a private practice in New York.

Trends: Jane Buckingham - Trend forecaster Jane Buckingham will help users stay ahead of the curve in business and in life. Her consulting firm, The Intelligence Group, tracks lifestyle trends for companies such as Coca-Cola, Revlon and Nike. Buckingham is host of the Style Network series “Modern Girl’s Guide to Life” and regularly lends her expertise to a variety of outlets, including “Good Morning America,” PBS and Cosmopolitan.

Style/Design: Vern Yip - Yip has starred on various home-makeover shows, including TLC’s “Trading Spaces,” HGTV’s “Design Star” and NBC’s “Home Intervention.” This year, he’ll add another HGTV show, “Deserving Design,” to his numerous roles and projects. Yip also spearheads home makeovers for AOL and is the author of the book Designing Spaces. His architectural and interior designs have received legions of awards, and his timeless less-is-more philosophy is showcased in his work through Vern Yip Designs Inc.

Productivity: Donna Smallin - Smallin’s seven books on organizing and simplifying have been translated into several languages. She frequently provides tips to magazines such as Woman’s Day and Real Simple; has been a guest on HGTV, CNN and CBS; and is the resident organization expert for homeminders.com

See other recent news regarding: Starwood, Westin