Event Preview: Spa & Wellness Forum 2015
The Hotelier Middle East Spa & Wellness Forum is back for a third year, bringing together spa professionals from across the Middle East to discuss the key issues impacting their industry. Ahead of the forum, we share our list of expert speakers, and the topics that will be up for discussion at the event
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
The money in trends
In the spa industry, there is a constant need to keep up with new worldwide trends. Whether it’s flotation pools and regionally themed offerings, or corporate wellness and cosmetic treatments, there seems to be a new must-have treatment or package emerging every day. Can spas in the region capitalise on these trends and turn them into substantial revenue or are these passing fads that have little impact on the overall business?
Spa as a lifestyle
Hectic lifestyles in the region means that today’s residents have less time to spend at spas. However, busy lifestyles mean that relaxation has become a very necessary part of an individual’s routine and spas are often integral to this. How do time restrictions impact spa operations, and how can you ensure that your treatments are valuable enough to create customer loyalty?
Spa positioning: what is a spa’s role in a hotel?
Successful hotels require the cooperation of all departments. Each department contributes to the overall business plan, however some departments are deemed more important than others. Where does the spa fall in the pecking order? Is it an invaluable part of a hotel’s profitability, or viewed as an ancillary revenue or an add-on that has the sole purpose of enhancing guest experience?
Getting the most out of your therapist
The most important assets to a spa are the therapists, and they are key to influencing whether customers will return. How can you ensure that your therapists are as empowered and engaged as they should be to ensure customer satisfaction?
Open Panel
In this session, we will welcome some of the region’s most senior spa representatives to answer any questions the audience may have, whether it be something related to what has been covered in the panels, or a topic not yet discussed during the day.
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Meet the sponsors of the spa & wellness forum
SARUM
Sarum Trading was established in 2009 in Dubai, and supplies the spa market with natural brands, such as UK hand-made products Neom Luxury Organics, Cowshed an organic brand initially developed by Soho House Hospitality Group to cater to their spa outlets, and Australian chemical-free brand Sodashi.
The company has recently added two more brands; Mor, based on modern apothecary and Coola, which uses a ‘farm-to-face’ philosophy, with products containing 97% certified organic ingredients.
Commenting on why Sarum is sponsoring the Spa & Wellness Forum, founder Susan Gorman said: “As an established, award-winning supplier to this market, Sarum considers the event a great platform to create a dialogue between vendors and industry specialists alike.
Following on from the success of last year’s Hotelier Middle East Spa & Wellness Forum, we value the opportunity to discuss the latest trends in our fast-growing sector and we look forward to contributing to this opportunity for industry-wide communication.”
LUCRAE
A distributor and retailer for new, emerging, and niche beauty and lifestyle brands in the UAE and the wider Middle East region, Lucrae will sponsor the Hotelier Middle East Spa & Wellness Forum for the first time.
The company will be promoting its latest brands, The Organic Pharmacy, which includes products such as Gene Expression Anti-ageing serum, Rose OUD Organic Perfume and the 10 Day Detox Kit; Ren, with Ren Clean Skincare; and Moliabal.
Commenting on why Lucrae is sponsoring the forum, Shuja H. Jashanmal, founder & managing director said: “Being a sponsor of the Hotelier Middle East Spa & Wellness Forum 2015 is a great way for all of our spa brands to be introduced to the Middle East spa market, and it is a chance for us to network with all the spa and hotel directors. We also have an opportunity to showcase brands such as Moliabal that would support additional spa sales.”
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EVENT INFORMATION
Date: March 10, 2015
Venue: Grosvenor House, Dubai
For more details: www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/conferences/spa-forum
To attend: Amanda.Elisha@itp.com
To sponsor: Stephen.Price@itp.com
SPEAKERS
Paul Hawco
Director of Talise Spa operations, Jumeirah Group
Aoibheanna Bonner
Corporate director of spa operations, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation
Galina Antoniouk
Complex director of spas, Grosvenor House, A Luxury Collection Hotel
Neil Hewerdine
Vice president of spa services, Atlantis Palm Jumeirah Hotel & Resort
Daniella Russell
Managing director, DR Global
Ghassan Amer
Spa manager, Park Hyatt Dubai
Hannah Dowd
Spa director, Emirates Palace
Michael Monsod
Director of spa and recreation, Zaya Retreats
Lulu Katrevesis
Managing director, Kalon Spa Consultancy
Jennifer B. Houchaime
Hospitality consultant, Ròya International
Lindsay Madden-Nadeau
Director — spa integration and operations, FRHI Hotels & Resorts
Zoe Wall
Director of spa, Anantara Dubai the Palm Resort & Spa
Paris Kounoudis
Director of spa, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
Maria Antonela Axinte
Spa director, Heart & Soul Spa (Al Barari)