The Global Wellness Summit (GWS), the foremost gathering of international leaders in the $4.5 trillion global wellness economy, is an invitation-only gathering that brings together leaders and visionaries to positively shape the future of the industry. The GWS delegates represent every sector in the wellness economy, including beauty and anti-aging, nutrition and weight loss, tourism, spa, fitness, medicine, complementary and alternative medicine, wellness lifestyle real estate, thermal/mineral springs and workplace wellness.
Each year the three-day event, which is the largest conference on the business of wellness, is held in a different country and attracts over 600 delegates from more than 50 countries. Delegates are among the first to preview the latest research that impacts the wellness economy and attend an inspiring mix of keynotes, presentations, subject-specific panels, roundtables and networking events.
The first Summit took place in New York in 2007. Thirteen years later, the event has spanned the globe in its mission to bring together top global wellness executives, traveling to key locations in Europe, the US, Asia, Africa and Latin America. In 2019, the Summit returns to Asia for the third time in its 13-year history and will take place at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong from October 15–17.
Since its launch, the Summit has welcomed many prestigious speakers, including the following: His Holiness, the Dalai Lama; Dr. Deepak Chopra; hotel visionary Ian Schrager; former AOL CEO Steve Case; actress and wellness pioneer Mariel Hemingway; 17th Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. Richard Carmona; renowned architect Bjarke Ingels; Lanserhof Group’s Dr. Elke Benedetto-Reisch; Dr. Andrew Weil; Thrive Global’s Agapi Stassinopoulos; Mindy Grossman, CEO of WW International; and the former presidents of Switzerland and Costa Rica.
In 2015, the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), a nonprofit educational and research foundation, was formed and has since developed the most frequently cited, in-depth research on the wellness economy.
SPIRIT OF THE SUMMIT
The spirit of the Summit is one of shared purpose rather than individual gain, using the power of ideas to shape the future of the wellness industry. The focus is on collaboration between decision-makers from around the world who exchange ideas, debate and strategize for the greater good of the industry, consumers and the planet.
SUMMIT OBJECTIVES
-Identify and amplify emerging global wellness trends
-Cultivate future wellness leaders and foster relationships among key stakeholders
-Facilitate healthy growth for the industry and its individual sectors
-Support industry research and encourage innovation globally
-Inspire a spirit of collaboration to solve shared industry issues and challenges
DELEGATES
Invitations are extended to a select list of top-level executives, academics, scientists, government officials, medical doctors and wellness experts throughout the world, representing a cross section of the industry and those influencing it. All invitees have either applied to attend or have been nominated and are approved based on their expertise, experience and leadership position.
SENIOR EXECUTIVE TEAM
Susie Ellis, Chairman and CEO
Nancy Davis, Chief Creative Officer & Executive Director
Beth McGroarty, VP, Research & Forecasting
Michelle Gamble, VP, Business Development
SUMMIT ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Anna Bjurstam
Wellness Pioneer, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas
Partner, Raison d’Etre
Strategic Advisor, Pegasus Capital Group
Sweden
Dr. Marc Cohen
Professor, RMIT University
Australia
Tony de Leede
Founder, Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat
Australia
Pete Ellis
Founder & Chairman Emeritus, Global Wellness Summit
United States
Susie Ellis
Chairman & CEO, Global Wellness Institute and Global Wellness Summit
United States
Catherine Feliciano-Chon
Founder and Managing Director, CatchOn & Company, Ltd.
Hong Kong
Irene Forte
Group Project Director at Rocco Forte Hotels
United Kingdom
Andrew Gibson
Senior Vice President, SENSEI Holdings
United States
Susan Harmsworth MBE
Founder, ESPA International
United Kingdom
Omer K. Isvan
President, Servotel Corporation
Turkey
Franz Linser, PhD
CEO, Linser Hospitality GmbH
Austria
Yoriko Soma
President & CEO, Conceptasia Inc.
Japan
Mary Tabacchi, PhD, RD
Professor Emerita, Cornell University
United States
SUMMIT LOCATIONS
2007: New York City, US – Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
2008: New York City, US – Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
2009: Interlaken, Switzerland – Victoria-Jungfrau Hotel & Spa
2010: Istanbul, Turkey – Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel
2011: Bali, Indonesia – Laguna Resort & Spa and Bali International Convention Center
2012: Aspen, Colorado, US – Aspen Meadows Resort/The Aspen Institute
2013: New Delhi, India – The Oberoi, Gurgaon
2014: Marrakesh, Morocco – Four Seasons Resort
2015: Mexico City, Mexico – St. Regis Mexico City
2016: Tyrol, Austria – KitzKongress, Kitzbuhel
2017: Palm Beach, Florida, US – The Breakers Palm Beach
2018: Cesena, Italy – Technogym
2019: Hong Kong – Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
Media Contacts
Beth McGroarty
[email protected]
+1 213-300-0107
Cassandra Cavanah
[email protected]
+1 818-397-4630