Westin's online renewal

nWithin the travel & hospitality space, a number of hotel brands are discovering Web 2.0 as a way to build communities of like-minded individuals. For example, Westin Hotels & Resorts has just launched a new interactive site called Find Renewal that features advice and friendly tips on health & wellness from a panel of experts. This panel, known as the Westin Renewal Council, includes some of the biggest names in the world of health, fitness and psychology. One of the stars on the panel is Jane Buckingham (pictured), the trend forecaster and futurist who appeared on CNBC’s “Business of Innovation” TV special about two months ago.

As part of the big picture, it’s interesting to see how companies are leveraging the power of the Web to create and develop a certain “aesthetic” for their clients and users. In the case of Westin, it is a design aesthetic that also embraces “healthy living and rejuvenation.” So, the next time your spouse or significant other turns to you and says, “Gee, I’m feeling so beat and run-down lately — I need to find some way to re-energize myself,” you can easily answer something like, “Well, I hear Westin offers a lot of cool ways to rejuvenate yourself. Let’s check ’em out on the Web.”

nnnn

Anyway, if all goes according to plan, the experts on the Westin Renewal Council will eventually contribute to an in-room televisionnchannel that includes lifestyle content and a variety of inspirationalnprogramming options. For now, there’s a Westin widget, whichnallows for downloadable daily tips straight to your website or desktop.

UPDATE: In the spirit of full disclosure and transparency, I should point out that my colleagues at ElectricArtists were behind the launch of the new site.

[image: Jane Buckingham]