About

Global Spa Summit - About

Dear Esteemed Colleague,

It is our pleasure to announce the 2nd Annual Global Spa Summit. This invitation-only event will be held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, May 18th - 20th, 2008.

The 2008 Summit, whose theme is ”Advancing the Global Spa Economy” will build on the discussions which began at the inaugural 2007 Global Spa Summit, "Joining Together. Shaping the Future". One of the 2008 highlights will be the presentation of the first ever "Global Spa Economy" research report, currently underway with SRI International, formerly the Stanford Research Institute. 

The Global Spa Summit evolved through years of dialogue among senior hospitality and spa executives worldwide who felt frustrated that no compelling gathering for top industry executives existed. The Summit is modeled after the successful format of the not-for-profit World Economic Forum which is held each year in Davos, Switzerland gathering leaders from all over the globe to solve shared problems.

Last year's sold-out Summit attracted top level business executives from all over the world with interest in the spa and wellness industry.   Representatives from diverse sectors including the hospitality, investment, finance, real estate, medical, consulting, product and other related industries attended.  Various challenges were identified and prioritized.  Task forces for two of the top issues of concern were formed:  1)  The industry-wide labor shortage and 2) The need for industry benchmarking.

Global Spa Summit - About
Dr. Daniel Cosgrove, Medical Director, Wellmax Center for Preventive Medicine California and Ted Ning, Director, LOHAS, Colorado

If you are a top level executive and key decision maker of a company doing business internationally in the spa and wellness arena, we would like to invite you to join us for this very important Summit.   It is our objective to attract the keenest minds and most distinguished leaders from all parts of the globe. 

By joining together, we can help pave the way toward a successful and rewarding future for our industry, our businesses, the people we serve, and the planet we share.

We look forward to welcoming you to New York City in May!

With Warmest Regards,

The Global Spa Summit Board

 

Objectives

Global Spa Summit - About
Leandro Gualtieri, President, STB Group, Italy

The Global Spa Summit is dedicated to the advancement of the spa and wellness industry on a global basis. Key objectives include the following:

  • Create community by fostering relationships among global industry leaders; Facilitate friendly dialogue and the exchange of ideas; Act as a catalyst for continued conversations beyond Summit meetings.
  • Establish a common language and understanding across regions and continents, while retaining individual identities.
  • Create and endorse uniform measurement systems for performance tracking and benchmarking of spas world-wide.
  • Initiate, gather and trumpet quality industry research on a global basis.
  • Provide accurate and reliable information for the investment community.
  • Identify and assist in resolving issues affecting the spa and wellness industry.

 

Board Members

For several years, this illustrious group of business leaders has worked to make the Global Spa Summit a reality.

SwedenAnna Bjurstam

Anna Bjurstam

Managing Director, Raison d'Etre, Sweden

Bio

AustraliaDr. Marc Cohen

Dr. Marc Cohen

Professor, RMIT University, Australia

Bio

USARichard Dusseau

Richard Dusseau

President & Managing Partner, Spa Strategy, Inc., USA

Bio

USAPete Ellis

Pete Ellis

Chairman & CEO, Spa Finder, Inc., USA

Bio

USASusie Ellis

Susie Ellis

President, Spa Finder, Inc., USA

Bio

Hong KongAndrew Gibson

Andrew Gibson

Group Director of Spas, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Hong Kong

Bio

BaliJeff Matthews

Jeff Matthews

President & COO, Mandara Spa Asia, Bali

Bio

CanadaAnne McCall Wilson

Anne McCall Wilson

Vice President Spas, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International Inc., Canada

Bio

Colorado/Germany/ThailandIngo R. Schweder

Ingo R. Schweder

Managing Director, Spatality, Colorado/Germany/Thailand

Bio

USAProfessor Mary Tabacchi

Professor Mary Tabacchi

Associate Professor, Cornell University, USA

Bio

USA / AustraliaMark Wuttke

Mark Wuttke

Principal, The Wuttke Group, USA / Australia

Bio

Global Spa Summit 2008 - Agenda
Global Spa Summit Board Members during 2008 Summit planning meeting, September 2007