28 Aug 2014
Action-packed GSWS daily agenda revealed
BY Helen Andrews
The Global Spa & Wellness Summit (GSWS) has announced the final daily programme for its eighth annual conference between 10-12 September, where delegates from more than 45 nations will gather at the Four Seasons Resort Marrakech, Morocco, to discuss the future of wellness tourism.
Exploring the future of technology, design, brain science, retailing, marketing and investment trends in relation to spa and wellness will be the main focus of the summit.
Morocco’s Minister of Tourism, Lahcen Haddad, will welcome guests on the first day of the event, with his speech followed by individual presentations by ministers of tourism from around the world, outlining their plans for promoting and marketing wellness tourism.
Africa’s spa culture and history will be discussed by Magatte Wade, writer for The Guardian, Huffington Post and Barron’s.
Paul Price, CEO of marketing intelligence firm Creative Realities, will explore how technology is changing retailing forever. The founding fathers of wellness, Donald Ardell PhD and Dr John Travis will then provide a studied reflection on the history of the industry – with insights by Peter Greenberg, travel editor for CBS News.
Dedicated forums for corporate wellness, destination spas, hotel spas, hot spring spas, hydrothermal facilities, and spa education will take place – allowing leaders in each field to debate strategies and solutions to expand opportunities.
The second day of the Summit (11 September) will comprise the sixth annual student challenge, where four universities compete to design a spa/wellness concept that encompasses North African culture and is viable for a global roll-out.
Zoubida Charrouf PhD, a professor at the University of Mohammed V, Morocco, will present the story of Moroccan argan oil. Moroccan artist Yahya Rouach will then enlighten delegates about the use of light in spas.
Kjell Nordstrom PhD, a Swedish economist and author will deliver a talk entitled “Funky Business of the Future: Prepare Yourself for the Urban Express”.
Data from the 2014 Spa & Wellness Economy Research Report, carried out by SRI International, will be revealed to delegates, with specific sub-segment research including opportunities provided by hot spring spas.
The first ever ‘Tech Jam’ will take place, encouraging delegates to share and explore wearable wellness devices.
Bjarke Ingels of BIG, a Danish architecture firm, will provide his perspective on the future of sustainability in design dubbed “Hedonistic Sustainability”.
Then, a special videotaped message from Dr Oz on the future of wellness will be played to delegates.
The third day of the Summit (12 September) will feature a presentation by Louie Schwartzberg, filmmaker and founder of Blacklight Films, the subject of which will be how to reveal the heart of the human soul through nature and how this can be applied to spa and wellness.
Dr Daniel Friedland MD of SuperSmartHealth, an expert on evidence-based medicine, brain science and mindset will explore the impact of brain science on leadership, beauty and spas.
Investment opportunities and obstacles faced by the global spa industry will be debated in the afternoon, followed by the first ever Wellness Awards ceremony. Categories include Wellness Innovator, Leader in Sustainability, Leading Women in Wellness.
A closing speech will be given by Edie Weiner, a futurist consultant who has lecture at Wharton, Harvard and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Co-chairs for the 2014 GSWS are Anna Bjurstam, Vice President of Spas & Wellness, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas and Owner, Raison d'Etre, and Neil Jacobs, CEO, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.
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