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Four Seasons’ Verena Lasvinge-Fox and Edge System’s Dean Langdon
Iain Tonna and the SPATEC team with Sarah Camilleri
SPATEC Europe 2013 Partnering for success
SPATEC13 Europe
As the chosen media partner for the annual SPATEC Europe event, European Spa magazine has a unique insight into how much preparation, research and active listening goes on in the development of this dedicated meeting forum. We asked a selection of buyers what they thought of this year’s event:
“SPATEC Europe this year has been fantastic; enjoyable and extremely benefi cial. It is a very well- organised and productive event. I have certainly had
some very useful meetings.” Louise Moore Hilton Worldwide
Dalesauna’s Gerard and Katherine McCarthy
Royal Crescent Hotel’s Jessica Grant and DRV’s Tracey Smith
“We have been really pleased with how our meetings have gone,” McCann added. “Now the important work really starts as we strive to build on these promising relationships.”
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Shared intelligence Before the meeting programme commenced, delegates enjoyed an educational session, hosted by management consultant Berni Hawkins of Hawkins Muiderman, who provided a snapshot of the industry using statistical data and research to illustrate product innovation and spa consumer feedback. Having set the scene, Hawkins introduced a panel of fi ve spa operators, who revealed how their businesses were navigating the latest market trends, emphasising the importance of strong leadership. As well as Paul Fenech, cluster general manager at The Champneys Group, and Virgin Active’s head of health and beauty Charlie Thompson, delegates also heard from Sarah Watts, managing director of Alliance Leisure about the signifi cant growth in public sector spa investment by local authorities in the UK. With £12 million of development to oversee in the next 12 months, Watts outlined the mainstream spa and preventative wellness service trends and described how spiralling obesity, increased stress and a dramatic rise in type-2 diabetes across Europe could herald a new era in preventative health.
The halo eff ect Hilton Worldwide’s director of spa operations and development Louise Moore, who will oversee more than 30 spa refurbishments in the next three years, shared some intriguing statistics from the recently released Hilton Spa Blue Paper – an exhaustive survey of over 6,000 spa stakeholders worldwide.
Intriguingly, she described the ‘halo effect’ that the right spa facility can bring to every quality hotel or resort in terms of increases in perception of value, competitive advantage, revenue generation and reason-for-stay.
Moore also highlighted Hilton’s current focus on
attracting and serving male spa guests as a fl ourishing new market demographic. Also in this session, Robert Teulings, general director
of Thermae 2000, donned his captain’s cap to give an entertaining presentation on the importance of intelligent leadership during challenging economic times. It is fair to say that his frank account of how he has adapted his innovative wellness resort in The Netherlands resonated with most delegates.
Location, location, location SPATEC’s tranquil setting for 2013 proved a hit with delegates and invaluable networking time was enjoyed on the Abama resort’s chilled out terraces, surrounded by tropical gardens. Good weather made the three al fresco dining evenings most memorable, giving all delegates much appreciated time to relax, recharge and get to know each other. “This year’s event has been superbly organised with a fantastic buyer-supplier mix,” confi rmed Kerry Fenton-Kent of Center Parcs’ award-winning Aqua Sana brand that sees 320,000 spa guests through its four spas every year. “It has been great to see new innovations through our meetings but also to have plenty of opportunity to catch up with other spa and wellness professionals to discuss benchmarking and best practice.” Summing up, Fenton-Kent added: “It’s a great use of time to achieve the equivalent of six months’ one-on-one meetings in just two days.”
Matt Laird ReSense Spas
“I found this event very interesting and useful for myself and our upcoming projects. I fi nd that if you know your partners personally, you have
a much stronger relationship and a guarantee of great service.”
Hans-Peter Veit Oetker Hotel Management Company and Brenner’s Park Hotel & Spa
“Its been extremely well organised and a great use of my time – a unique opportunity for me to see innovations, which will help my refurbishments and
future strategic plans for the company.” Karen Felimond Mercure Hotels
STOP PRESS SPATEC EUROPE 2014 will take place May 7-10, 2014 at the Sheraton Rhodes Resort in Rhodes, Greece
www.spateceu.com/europe
“This has been the best one ever. I have met a signifi cant number of very good suppliers who are interested, keen and focused on business.
I have certainly got a number of ideas that I will be following up.”
Brian Hunter Lifehouse Spa & Hotel
“We have 25 spas in the pipeline for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and China, so SPATEC has been an excellent use of time as we are moving so fast.
It’s a great way to fi nd out about new ideas and innovations.”
european spa |
www.europeanspamagazine.com
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