Saturday March 8, 2008

10.30 am – 11.10 am

The Spa today and perspectives on the European Spa

By Vladi Kovanic – Creator of Millenium Organisation

Creator of the International Spa Congress’ Aqua-Expo Tradeshow since the 1990s, in Lisbon, Vienna, Istanbul, Berne, and Prague, Vladi Kovanic also organized the first International Water Bar in Paris and works directly with leading Spa specialists all over the world, on anti-aging and wellness.

11.15 am – 11.55 am

Adminstration and daily management in the Hotel Spa

By Katia Schaffhauser – Director of the Spa Impérial de l’Hôtel du Palais (Biarritz)

A description and analysis of a typical day in a Hotel Spa, where nothing is left to chance, is provided.

Katia Schaffhauser holds a long and rich experience in management and Hotel Spa development, and led the treatment development team for the Hôtel Ermitage of Evian. She also is the Director of the Spa Impérial de l’Hôtel du Palais (Biarritz).

By Eric Light – President of International Medical Spa Association

By Franck Trecco – CEO of Hydro Concept
And Brigitte Dumont of Chasart – Interior Architect

Trained under pioneers such as Allan and Tanya Wheway, and Spa developers like Champneyes (United Kingdom) and Chiva-Som (Thailand), Franc Trecco now heads the company Hydro Concept since 2000, a specialist in Spa conception and realization. With his experience he has developed a unique philosophy for each project, with a global view on Spa development, most notably for optimizing cost control.

Brigitte Dumont of Chasart has worked for more than twenty years on different exclusive and world-renowned projects in Europe and Asia in the Hotel Industry, Resorts, and in high-end boutiques. Her references include le Byblos (Saint-Tropez), le Mas Candille (Mougins), le Bellemare (Mauritius Islands), the Six Senses Spa (Ho Chi Minh City)…

By Thierry Poupard – Hotel Marketing Consultant

The extreme diversity that characterizes the Spa world is such that there are as many marketing models as there are establishments. Marketing strategy, positioning, and communication must be tailored to each different Spa type to take into account each specification. The objective is to build a model that will simultaneously increase customer satisfaction and Spa profitability.

With a Masters in Business Administration from the University of San Francisco, a speaker for HEC, and a trainer at IFHOR, Thierry Poupard is a marketing, sales, and service consultant for the restaurant and Spa domains.
His main objective is to assist establishments and their networks to sell more and to sell better. He also assists companies with defining their marketing model’s position and conception, their customer satisfaction assessment, and the organization of training seminars.

By Erwan Madec – Director of Thalgo Spa Management

A good concept is necessary, but not always sufficient for project development success. Regardless of the quality of service, the underlying operating costs are the determinate factors to the company’s success. However, a strict, over standardized, or even copied plan can kill any originality or sense of evasion that is at the very heart of a Spa.
Or, how do we find the necessary balance to create harmony in our project’s development ?

Erwan Madec coordinates teamwork with a multi-disciplinary approach toward his twenty or so employees, professionals who are passionate and respected in their industries. Thalgo Spa Management’s missions essentially relate to the development of new concepts, the architecture, the interior decor, the engineering, the commercialization, and management assistance or direct Spa management.

By Alain Masazza – International Director of LeSpa Sofitel (Accor Group)

Alain Masazza rejoined the Accor Group in 2000, as the Marketing Director for Tourism and Leisure. His mission was to develop a global strategy for the Accor Group’s leisure and wellness hotels, as well as to expand the Spa concept in these hotels and to define and standardize the operations (techniques used, products…). He developed the first Accor Spa, in 2003, at the Sofitel in Marrakech and in the Mauritius Islands. He is currently the International Director of LeSpa Sofitel.

By Jean-Luc Pleuvry – Operational Director of Thalazur Group

Thalasso-therapy centers have learned how to integrate the benefits of Spa treatments with specific cures, in order to bring their clients optimal wellness. A true success story !

After several years working at the heart of Club Med, Jean-Luc Pleuvry rejoined the Accor group as Director at the Novotel Sénart in November 2000. With the acquisition of Thalazur Antibes, he returned to the SCIH team as Director of the site, consisting of a 164-guestroom hotel and Thalasso-therapy Center. In July 2007, he was nominated as Operational Director for Thalazur Group.

By Adriana Karembeu and Professor Jacques Hayo – AKD
With contribution from Madame Régine Ferrère

Organic silicon is an element naturally present in the cutaneous structures that decreases with age. It is an important element for cellular rejuvenation, regeneration, and hydration. In cosmetic use, it provides principal actions that bring different products unique benefits.

Top model, muse to many photographers, and Ambassador to the Red Cross, Adriana Karembeu has dedicated herself to the creation of her new line of cosmetics that respond to all of our skincare needs: the line Silicium+. Doctor and pharmacist Jacques Hayo, known for his scientific studies on solar skincare products, holds a degree in Dermo-cosmetics. With Adriana Karembeu, he has helped develop the Silicium+ skincare line.

10.30 am – 11.10 am

Sustainable development: the future of the Spa universe

By Véronique Brégeon – Director of the Hôtel Le Coq Gadby (Rennes)

Sustainable development should be taken into account at the conception stage in Spa development, and existing Spas should establish a charter of good principals to follow. How do you integrate sustainable development into a Spa from its conception, into your treatment menus, and that responds to your customers’ needs and your practitioners’ demands ? By establishing strict specifications that reflect the project’s philosophy ; in seeking a simple story that elicits dreams and voyages ; and by meeting the client of today’s needs that are looking for - 80% of the time - relaxation, simplicity, and a natural experience…

Owner and Director of the Hôtel Le Coq Gadby, and a C.C.I. Tourism commission member in Rennes, Véronique Brégeon is attentive to the evolving needs of businesses and families and the future innovations that are likely to impact these two groups. At Coq Cadby, 14 suites open onto the newest addition, a Spa built completely on a High Environmental Quality principle of "sustainable development".

By Erwan Madec – Director of Thalgo Spa Management

In a period of ten years, the " Spa Business " has become a veritable industry in Anglo-Saxon countries. France is a bit behind but, with the impact of globalization, the Spa wave is sweeping across the fitness and cosmetic universes with certitude. Beyond the novelty mirage and a certain exotic sensationalism, the following question can be answered in the positive : is the Spa "bankable" ?

By Jean-Louis Poiroux – Creator and Director of Cinq Mondes

The treatments you choose create a specific path in your Spa conception, assure a fluid traffic flow, and increase profitability in your treatment cabins.

Jean Louis Poiroux, after ten years developing new cosmetic products, decided in 1999 to search the planet for the best beauty products and massages. In two years of travels, he was able to dive into the heart of wellness and beauty traditions within five cultures: India, Siam, Maghreb, Japan, and China. In 2000, the fruit of all this research naturally led to the creation of the first Cinq Mondes Spa in Paris, followed by the cosmetic line "Rituels de Beauté du Monde".

By Régis Bourdon-Doris – Beauty & Business

For those who have the space and investment necessary, adapting an aquatic treatment playground can notably increase Spa frequentation, treatment demand, and allow for an increased clientele palate for your Spa. A guaranteed recipe for success.

Make-up Artist and Art Director for several different international brands, Régis Bourdon-Doris created his first Spa concept in 1992 at the Riccione Natural Hot Springs in Italy. After only three years, with his Spa as the most profitable in the country, he founded his own company: Beauty & Business that assists in Spa development and leans on a team of international professionals.

The Spa profitability passed on by the team

By Jean-Eric Kneicht – Elégance Gontard School

Team skills, organization, ratios, and consistency… How to plan your Spa’s human resources ? How to target the skills required, the position and role definitions, to optimize the equipment and structure efficiency ? How to fine tune performance and stabilize your team through continued staff training ?

3.00 pm – 3.40 pm 

The Medi-Spa affirmation

By Doctor François Niforos – Creator of the concept Médi-Spa

The Medical Spa assimilates medical cosmetic treatments into their centers and takes care of their clients in a global manner. This innovative approach increases the treatment’s effectiveness and proposes a range of Spa skincare that is complementary to their medical treatments, all while respecting the current medical regulations.

Cosmetic surgeon Doctor Niforos has created a medical doctor and cosmetic surgery unit in Lyon that operates similarly to a deluxe hotel. This is the first Medi-Spa in Europe. François Niforos is a pharmaceutical expert for laboratories such as Laboratories Allergan (Botox, hyaluronic acid…). Elsewhere, he acts as a consultant for large cosmetic groups and has brought a new vision to his industry and a different approach to beauty care, in integrating medical procedures with the Spa.

By Sha – Artist

The basic principals of holistic art will be provided through demonstrations and concrete examples. Artistic creation, in a holistic manner, can be an essential part in the planning, realization, and exploitation of a Spa well before it becomes a part of the Spa’s identity.

Sha, an artist from Vienna, has worked for ten years on a multidisciplinary approach to art where the focus is on different perceptual states of the conscience. With the completion of several visionary projects, Sha has opened new territory between art, research, and economics. These holistic art pieces are displayed in museums as well as in public, and recently in hotels, resorts, and Spas across the world.

By Brigitte Boussuat – Psycho-sociologist

How to identify the state of mind and comportment of a client (or that of your colleagues) from first contact, with a playful and efficient approach?

Brigitte Boussuat has fifteen years of experience in teaching, public speaking, training and coaching. She is a teacher for the Chamber of Commerce in Paris where she is responsible for coordinating the educational curriculum. She also is an expert in work experience validation and a coach for the National Sales Competition, winning four times.

By Eric Light – President of International Medical Spa Association

10.30 am – 11.10 am

Ki-Spa: a culture of a better being

By Denis Tran – Creator of the Ki-Spa

According to Denis Tran, we swim in an ocean of pure energy called Ki. This Ki conditions our actions, our humors, our health and appearance. Wellness is not enough, and the search for a Better Being has become an evolutionary approach. This is what the Ki-Spa provides, in a place where you discover your true profound nature. Through diagnostic tools and proven traditional treatments, the Ki is identified, tamed, controlled, and monitored.

Veteran Spa Manager Denis Tran is a graduate of both the HEC School in Montreal and the Elégance Gontard Beauty School in Nice. A speaker, teacher, and practitioner in Internal Energetic Arts (Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi-Gong, Feng-Shui, Chinese Astrology, etc.), he is the creator of Ki-Esthetique, Ki-Spa, and other concepts that gravitate around a Better Being.

By Martine de Petter – Estar

Energetic medicine, fundamentally redefines health by considering the body as an entity composed of organic and physical functions. Integrated into diverse therapies and aesthetic-techniques, such as Acupressure, brings an added wellness value to the Spa, ensuring the organism a revitalization that everyone seeks in the Spa experience.

Martine de Petter, member of the Asian Martial Arts Federation, is a Qi Gong Master, a Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor, a graduate of the University of Shanghai (China), and a massage therapist in Reiki and Kuatsu. She is certified by the European Traditional Chinese Medicine Foundation (PEFOTS) and is the founder of the Estar Company.

By Caroline Marcoux – Coach Omnium & Spa

The decision to include a Spa in a hotel, or to modify your Beauty Institute into a Spa, is fraught with consequences. How to avoid the pitfalls and vagaries of this new profession and transform your business into a profitable activity ?

Certified by the ESSEC and strong in fourteen years of experience in the Four Star Hotel Business and cosmetic industry, Caroline Marcoux brings an expertise desired by hotels to Coach Omnium & Spa.

By Kevin Turnball – Spa Finder Europe, Middle East & Africa

What are the consumers looking for? What is the competition doing? How do we make on-line marketing easier? What are the latest trends in the market?

With SpaFinder’s success and his experience in the American Spa market, Kevin Turnball shares his knowledge on Spa marketing.

By Régine Ferrère – General Delegate of the CNEP,
Laurent Pouquet – Dynamic Marketing Director for the CREDOC,
Audrey Capron – Research and Development Director for CREDOC,
Emmanuelle Franck – Future Development and Prospecting Department Director of Opcalia,
Yves Hinnekint – General Director of Opcalia

To develop the Wellness and Spa professions, the CNEP (Confédération Nationale de l’Esthétique et de la Parfumerie) created a comprehensive study to have a better gage on the economic weight the Wellness and Spa networks bring and to evaluate the evolution in professional competence in the sector.

They assessed the results in light of their four objectives:

• to highlight the profound change in the economic fabric, namely from a traditional artisan culture to a management culture;
• to highlight the necessity for Wellness professionals to become true entrepreneurs, in order to respond to the consumer’s demands;
• to provide a "snapshot" of the employment, the profession, the qualifications, the training, to effectively track the changing market fluctuation.
• to clarify the defined roles of aestheticians, by placing wellness, form, and beauty at the heart of the field.

By Daniel Carras – Archiline

Alternative and energetic medicine have a core notion of wellness and better health. The layout of the space needs to be handled by an appropriate and rigorous interior architect.

Architect Daniel Carras has thoughtfully conceived and realized living spaces with his company Archiline for the past twelve years. He has worked for prestigious brands such as: Carita, Decléor, and Payot. His latest creation is the Spa de l’Hôstellerie Bérard in the Var region.

By Jean-Claude Bozou – Spa Institute (Pevonia & Gemology)
And Laurent Besson – Sales Director of Clair Azur

Doctor and biologist, Jean-Claude Bozou created a biotech company in 1989, a manufacturer of ingredients for the cosmetic industry (Laboratory Bomann). He participated in the creation of new product concepts for several big cosmetic brands. He is one of the forerunners in the neuro-cosmetic and micro-encapsulation domains. Since 2004, at the insistence of Chrystelle Lannoy, creator of the Gemology skincare line, he worked on the formula for the first jewelry line for the skin, and participated in the Gemology launch as the scientific director. Since 2007, he joined the Spa Institute’s management team, which markets Gemology and the cosmetic Spa line for Pevonia.

After his business studies and an installment in the heart of the Electrolux Company, Laurent Besson met Stéphane Barralis, the President of Clair Azur, in 1994. He became their Sales Director in 1996, and then, a shareholder in 2000.