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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 Spa Business magazine
Promotional feature: Anne Semonin
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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
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Research: Finishing touch
A new study shows that massage can
help muscle re-growth after an injury –
even when applied to the opposite limb
In a world where imbalance often accumulates quietly, Wildsmith unveils its newest
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guests with precision and depth. [more...]
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
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education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
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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 Spa Business magazine
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
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
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.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
Swire Hotels’ luxury hospitality brand Upper House has revealed it will roll out its two-day
House of Healing retreats at its three hotels in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai.
In a world where imbalance often accumulates quietly, Wildsmith unveils its newest
wellbeing innovation: Silent Loads, an approach designed to meet the needs of modern spa
guests with precision and depth. [more...]
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Maison d'Asa Maison d'Asa, founded in 2013 by Asma El Mernissi in Casablanca, is the world's first spa concept ho [more...]
