Trends in Wellness & Transformative Travel
Moderator:
Lisa Loverro; Editor in Chief; Organic Spa Media
Panelists:
Columba Calcicchio; Business Development Manager; AmaWaterways
River cruising is becoming more popular with people who want smaller, more intimate cruise travel. Wellness coaches incorporate fitness, biking, and hiking, in addition to culinary experiences, while experiencing a variety of destinations in one trip, often docking in smaller towns and villages, connecting with the local culture. The European ships carry approximately 156 passengers and port typically once or twice per day.
Jessica Feldman; Special Projects Editor; Travel + Leisure
We all experience information overload in this day and age; guests are looking to reset and connect with nature, often with physical immersion in an activity for the purpose of mental wellness. One example is surf retreats in Costa Rica, where the physical challenge translates into a feeling of disconnection from day-to-day life and immersion in nature with incredible mental wellness benefits.
Jac Bielory; Global Paid Media Director; Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Spaces created specifically for mind and body go beyond the traditional spa menu, also utilizing wearables and tech, looking at sleep and nutrition, and ensuring the guests can immerse themselves in the local culture. Their focus is less on longevity but rather on the reset and wellness benefits for each guest at that time.
Karen Loftus; Luxury Travel Advisor; Virtuoso
Many guests are now looking for a cultural connection when they travel, and retreats incorporating mental and spiritual aspects are increasing. A retreat platform shared that 37% are looking for mental wellness in comparison to 17% focusing on physical wellness. Detox and physical wellness retreats are shifting their focus to mental wellness to cater to this demand.
Fireside Chat
Jessica Jesse; CEO, Founder, and Creative Director; BuDhaGirl
We all deserve to take time for ourselves, connect with nature, practice our rituals, and disconnect from the stress of day-to-day life. The BuDhaGirl bangles are made by Thai artisans, designed to be worn each day and put on and taken off as part of a daily ritual of gratitude.
Longevity Across the Board: Travel, Beauty & Lifestyle
Moderator:
Lisa Starr; Consultant in the business of Spa & Wellness; Wynne Business
Panelists:
Clyde Staley; PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS, Clinical Director; Spear Sports Club
Physical therapy doesn’t need to happen only after an injury, and it can absolutely be part of preventative care to improve flexibility and mobility. Helping patients work towards their own personal goals, their space includes strength-training equipment, space for movement, and physical therapy equipment designed specifically not to feel clinical.
Allie Melnick; Co-Founder & COO; Climatic
Climatic shares how everyday pollution gets into your lungs; 99% of the population lives in a place with lower air quality than the WHO guidelines suggest. Lung health affects overall health, and Climatic looks at supporting the body’s natural lung-cleansing mechanisms to improve health.
Bryan Meehan; Owner; Park Hotel Kenmare
Park Hotel Kenmare has now focused on sustainability and wellness and is now open to the local community. At the Park Hotel Kenmare, guests connect with the landscape; the spa is an indoor-outdoor space in which to ground oneself in nature. Close to the hotel, they have one of the last Irish rainforests where guests can stay in spectacular surroundings and enjoy peace and quiet away from the noise of cities. The longevity center at Park Hotel Kenmare will open on August 1st, featuring the Finnish-style sauna, yoga and pilates studios, and a variety of other modalities recommended by Dr. Mark Hyman. Bryan explained how he and his family are moving away from technology and wearables.
Cody Levine; Co-Founder & Head of Experience; Smile House & Twice Oral Wellness
A dental experience doesn’t need to feel clinical. Spending two hours with each new client, Smile House looks at the root cause, sleep, and airways and finds solutions for each patient. The mouth is at the top of the digestive and respiratory tracts, with billions of bacteria contributing to the health of the whole body. Balancing the microbiome of the mouth is just as important as the gut.
Special Q&A
Kiana Webb; Founder; Luxaris Arise
Kiana developed an app to help people flourish within their lives. Users track how they feel about their lives, their alignment with values and beliefs, their relationships with others, and helping people accept all parts of themselves.
Clean Beauty: Is There Really an Alternative?
Moderator:
Amy Brightfield; Health & Lifestyle Journalist; Organic Spa Media
Panelists:
Dan Fryda; Founder & President; Board of Directors; Spa Technologies Intl.; New York Spa Alliance
Importing seaweed extracts from France, Spa Technologies creates high-quality skincare products that are biocompatible with the human body. In France, the regulation for harvesting seaweed ensures cleanliness and sustainability. The consumer demands clean, ethical, sustainable products, in addition to high efficacy with visible results.
Allie Hogan; Senior Beauty Editor; NewBeauty
‘Clean’ has become a marketing term, and the reality is nuanced; education around ingredients and supply chain is what the consumer needs to make their individual choice. As a general rule, the fewer ingredients, the better. Has the brand always focused on clean beauty, or is this purely marketing?
Mariuca Moala; Country Manager US; Germaine de Capuccini
Education around EU certification standards in comparison to FDA standards is needed; the FDA is starting to catch up to the European standard. ‘Chemical’ does not mean bad; water is a chemical…
Steve Rosenfeld; CEO; The F.C. Sturventant Company
Often, the products labeled ‘clean’ include the same ingredients that consumers are trying to avoid. Having spent 30 years at the company, Steve shares that social media has changed the platform for beauty and personal care, with misinformation shared online. Ingredients are scrutinized, but clean beauty starts with procurement, processing, and packaging. Beauty products should be categorized by skin type, as different Fitzpatrick types have varying requirements.
Socializing: The New Wellness Priority
Moderator:
Selena Hill; Director of Multiplatform Content; Black Enterprise
Panelists:
Justin Gurland; Founder & CEO; The Maze
Having been sober for 18 years, Justin understands the power of community. The Maze is an alcohol-free members’ club offering real community and connection in a wellness environment. Justin proposes that if you’re not having fun, you may fall back into addiction. Community engagement allows members to ‘find their people’.
Anne Biging; Founder & CEO; Healing Hotels of the World
Anne invited the audience to place their hand on their hearts and feel their heartbeat – slowing down and reconnecting is the basis of wellness. Healing Hotels of the World offer guests moments of disconnection and reconnection with the self. Anne sees conflict around the world, yet we are really a global community; people coming together and sharing with each other is the only way forward.
Dr. Jonathan Leary; Founder & CEO; Remedy Place
While helping patients focus on wellness and self-care, Dr. Jonathan saw that they also became lonely as they didn’t have a community. Now, people can engage in health and wellness pursuits with their community of friends, as social wellness options are more available than ever.
Nikki Miller; Director, Kohler Waters Spa
Nikki sees that the spa is now a space for celebration and way of life, and the conversation even extends to interview questions where people are asking prospective employees what they are doing for their own wellness. As a device-free zone, Kohler Waters Spa struggles with enforcing this policy with guests, as people’s addiction to their devices means they struggle to be without their tech.
Kim Marshall; Founder; S’Well The Agency
With decades of experience in the spa and wellness industry, Kim has seen the demand for wellness explode. Having survived the LA fires, Kim shares the importance of community. Climate events are happening more frequently and causing trauma; calming and resetting the nervous system are paramount.
Fireside Chat
Joy Bauer; Founder & CEO; Ventures & beJOYLY Supplements
Passionate about food, flavors, and combinations, Joy can’t choose just one favorite meal. Having effective systems in place to eat healthily helps when life gets in the way of planning. Meal prep and planning on the weekend can help by having staples ready and available in the fridge for when you need them. Protein consumption is at the forefront of everyone’s mind at the moment; this should be eaten throughout the day, aiming for 20-30 grams per meal. Fiber is essential for gut health and supports the microbiome, therefore impacting the overall health of the body. Everyone should aim for at least 30 grams per day. Extra virgin olive oil and avocado oil are two of the best oils to use in your food.
Health, Tech & Touchless Wellness
Moderator:
Laura Powell; Special Assignments Editor; Chief Content Developer; Organic Spa Media
Panelists:
Jeff Braile; Co-Founder; HaloNutraTherapy Systems, Inc.
Via a personal halogenerator device, nutraceuticals can be inhaled, mitigating the need for IV drips, delivering molecules such as glutathione and NAD+. The inhalation device can also be retrofitted to existing halotherapy salt chambers. Inhalable wellness is part of the future of wellness.
Juan Chicas; Founder; Doctors Hydrogen
As the only selective antioxidant, hydrogen targets only bad free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Japanese technology, with evidence-based research, is now available in the US. With water infusion and inhalation options, hydrogen delivery can be achieved via different modalities.
Freddie Moross; Founder; Myndstream
Music must be considered in every wellness space. Based on the story each space is trying to tell, music can be selected to create the desired ambiance. Music enhances every experience and can up-regulate or down-regulate the nervous system as needed. Guided breathwork tracks have been shown to improve HRV scores, and music has been used in hospitals to promote patient recovery.
Tammy Pahel; VP of Spa & Wellness; Carillon Miami Wellness Resort
All partners of the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort go through a vetting process, ensuring the product and service being offered are thoroughly tested and offer real benefits to the guests.
Featured Speaker
Dr. Natalie Azar; Associate Professor of Rheumatology, NYU Langone & NBC News Medical Contributor
Dr. Natalie stressed the importance of calcium in the diet and from supplementation. Women experience a dramatic decrease in bone density around perimenopause and menopause. Calcium must be accompanied by vitamin D to optimize absorption. Genetics also plays a role in risk; however, prevention of bone loss relies on supplementation, fermented foods, seeds, nuts, and dark chocolate. Strength training, including impact, stresses the bone and encourages growth. Heavier weights and training to fatigue are required to benefit the most. The use of HRT is now recognized for use in the prevention of osteopenia, and will prevent many women from suffering from osteoporosis in the future.
Women’s Health Comes of Age: The Menopause Moment
Moderator:
Liz Vaccariello; Editor in Chief; Woman’s World
Panelists:
Dr. Kristann Heinz, MD, RD; Red Hill Medical
Dr. Heinz shared her excitement for the current climate of education around menopause and the future generations who will benefit greatly while navigating this stage of life. Bioidentical hormones match the human biochemistry and are well-tolerated.
Dr. Natalie Azar; Associate Professor of Rheumatology & NBC News Medical Contributor
Dr. Natalie agrees that every woman should be able to consider HRT alongside their health provider, while bearing in mind any risk factors.
“Wellness Your Way”: Customized Travel Experiences
Moderator:
Sara Jones; International Brand Manager; Organic Spa Magazine & Editor; Spa & Wellness MexiCaribe
Panelists:
Nikki Miller; Director, Kohler Waters Spas
All Kohler therapists are certified in hydrotherapy to truly understand how people are healed through water. Rituals are created via the plumbing team so guests can recreate spa-like experiences in their own homes.
Erica Bloch; Associate Director of Communication; The Lodge at Woodloch
Working with influencers, Erica chooses carefully those who will represent the brand authentically, highlighting the connection with nature and the holistic experience. The Lodge at Woodloch empowers guests to improve their wellness once they leave the resort, enabling them with useful tools for daily life.
Alexandra Seibt; Account Director; Berk Communications
Nizuc gets in touch with each guest before arrival to personalize each step of their journey, including their wellness programming while at the resort. Therapists are given the freedom to adapt every treatment experience to truly customize it to the guests’ needs while still basing the experience in Mayan tradition.
Chris Lenz; CEO & Founder, La Compañía Hotels & Resorts
The Elysium Spa at La Compañía Del Valle sits in the crater of an extinct volcano, carrying with it the energy of the land. With Panama often seen as a transit hub, La Compañía Hotels & Resorts raises the level of wellness offered in the country. Chris believes we will see much more from Panama in the coming years.
James Shillinglaw; Editor in Chief & Co-Founder; Insider Travel Report
Travel agents have evolved into advisors who can connect each wellness traveler with the most suitable resort or retreat. James sees regenerative travel as the next newsworthy trend.
By Sara Jones, Editor
