About GSS

#
  • 2012 GSWS Pre-Summit Activities

    Pre-Summit retreat at Miraval Destination Spa in Tucson, Aspen Body/Mind/Spirit Hike, Aspen Town Walking Tours, Briefing Session for New Summit Delegates, Logistics Meetings, Speed Networking and Welcome Cocktail Reception at St. Regis Aspen Resort (Sponsored by Babor).

    Learn More

  • 2012 GSWS Day 1: Innovation

    Philippe Bourguignon on "Why We Need Innovation through Imagination NOW," Dr. Richard Carmona on "The Pursuit of Global Health & Wellness: The Value Proposition of the Future," John Kao on "Jamming: The Art of Getting Innovation Done," Panel on "The Aspen Health Innovation Project: Barriers to Innovation and Promoting Innovation," Ted Souder talks about "Cutting Edge Technology and What's Around the Corner," and Aspen Town dine-around.

    Learn More

  • 2012 GSWS Day 2: Imagination

    Spa of the Future Student Challenge Part 1, Dr. Daniel Friedland on "Know Your Brain to Imagine and Innovate," Shelley Berc and Alejandro Fogel on "Creating an Atmosphere that Fosters Innovation and Creativity in Your Company," Dr. Elissa Epel on "Telomeres: The New Frontier?" Peter Rummell on "Managing the Creative Process," Governor John Hickenlooper keynote, Lunch with Jose Maria Figueres-Olsen, Elizabeth Stephenson on "The 5 pillars of Innovation," Philippe Bourguignon & Peter Rummell on "Imagining the Healthy Town of the Future," a Panel on the "Role of Innovation in Mexico," and gala cocktail reception & dinner on Aspen Mountain (sponsored by Thermarium)

    Learn More

  • 2012 GSWS Day 3: Industry Unleashed!

    Spa of the Future Student Challenge Part 2, Jan Frietag on "What You Don't Know Can Hurt You," Andrea Foster on "Our Traveler's Health: A Matter of Life & Death," Katherine Johnston on GSWS Research: "Spa Management Workforce & Education: Addressing Market Gaps," Dr. Gary Schwartz on "The Energy Healing Experiments: Embracing Controversy," Q&A with Mariel Hemingway, a Panel on "Spas and Water: An Opportunity for Radical Innovation?" "Shaking Things Up a Bit" with Dr. Andrew Weil, Jessica Alquist (on Willpower) and Jeremy McCarthy (on happiness), Deborah Szekely says "If I was 17 again..." and a very special announcement for GSWS 2013

    Learn More

  • 2012 GSWS Post-Summit Activities

    Mineral Springs Day at Glenwood Hot Springs and Retreat at Miraval Destination Spa in Tucson

    Learn More

Overview

The Summit Is Born

At the beginning of the 2000's, a group of industry leaders decided to create and fund a conference modeled in part after the successful format of the not-for-profit World Economic Forum held each year in Davos, Switzerland, where leaders from all parts of the world gather to solve shared problems. Thus the Global Spa & Wellness Summit was founded. The Global Spa & Wellness Summit is held annually, beginning on the third Sunday in May.  Visit the archive to learn more about the 2007, 2008, and 2009 summits.

Format

A variety of interactive sessions are on the Summit agenda. They include panel-led discussions, general sessions, small group breakout sessions, and hosted dining conversations. Efforts are made to ensure that all attendees participate at whatever level they choose: observer, panelist, contributor, questioner, or table host.  Standard business attire is recommended for all Summit sessions. For social events, delegates may dress in business casual.  Interpreters will be made available for groups upon request in the online registration questionnaire.

Delegate Demographics

Number of attendees: The invite-only 2010 Summit was ‘sold out,’ with 250-plus delegates in attendance
Countries in attendance: a record 40-plus

Summit Mission

The Global Spa & Wellness Summit is an international organization that brings together leaders and visionaries to positively impact and shape the future of the global spa and wellness industries. The objectives of the Summit are to:

Establish a forum for dialogue among global industry leaders
Create community by fostering friendly relationships among stakeholders
Inspire a spirit of collaboration to solve shared problems
Facilitate healthy growth for the industry and its individual businesses
Initiate and support quality research
Encourage innovationCultivate leaders for tomorrow

Shaping the Global Spa & Wellness Summit Agenda

Each year's Global Spa & Wellness Summit agenda is exciting and unique.  The agenda develops over time right up until the Summit and, therefore, features the very issues of the moment, giving the Summit the vibrancy and relevancy that have become its trademark.  As invited delegates register, their expertise, interests, and areas of greatest concern are noted.  This information, global events, and industry trends are considered as the Summit agenda takes shape. The following past Summit programs provide a better idea of the agendas that emerge from this dynamic process:

Summit 2011: Engage the Change, Bali, Indonesia
Summit 2010: Bridges Worth Building, Istanbul, Turkey
Summit 2009: The Power of Collaboration, Interlaken, Switzerland
Summit 2008: Defining the Global Spa Economy, New York, NY
Summit 2007: Joining together. Shaping the Future. New York, NY