2010 Global Spa Summit: "Bridges Worth Building"
The 2010 Global Spa Summit will take place May 16 – 19, 2010 in Istanbul, Turkey, with the theme "Bridges Worth Building" that was inspired by Istanbul’s famous Bosphorus Bridge, which spans the strait connecting Europe and Asia. While previous Summits focused primarily on internal industry issues, this year’s Summit will be decidedly more outward. In essence, the delegation will be looking at the spa and wellness industries in relation to outside industries and will explore ideas and opportunities for the future.
Topics on the agenda will explore bridging spa with wellness, with medicine, with fitness, and with tourism. Keynote Dr. Kenneth Pelletier will lead an important discussion on the need for evidence based medicine, improved standards and practices for the industry, and suggested steps to close the spa and credibility gap for consumers, media, and medical professionals. The student competition will introduce unique concepts, connecting the past with the future through the architectural makeover of an authentic Turkish thermal spring. On the note of exploring authenticity, Mrs. Ahu Aysal, proprietor of one of the most renowned boutique hotels in the world, Les Ottomans, will share how she successfully built the bridge between the past and present spa industries. Furthermore, bridging both the past and the present with the distant future that is as yet unknown, will be the focus of several futurists including Mr. Philippe Bourguignon, who has (among many other ventures) served Co-CEO of the Davos-based World Economic Forum.
Optional pre- and post-Summit opportunities will include visits to Istanbul‘s historic sites, including the Topkapi Palace Harem, experiencing one of Istanbul‘s historic hamams, and excursions to other landmark Turkish spas and medical tourism destinations, including the Richmond Nua Wellness Spa.
