European Spa celebrates 100th issue

This week, together with my team, I celebrated one of the proudest milestones of my life: the 100th edition of European Spa.

When I founded European Spa, I wanted to create a business magazine that was independent, insightful, beautifully designed and genuinely useful for spa leaders and investors.

A magazine and news platform the spa and wellness industry could trust, and one that would reflect the intelligence, creativity and heart of this remarkable sector.

You can view and share our 100th edition here.

The why behind European Spa

European Spa’s purpose is to shine a light on the people behind the businesses.

The spa leaders, brand founders, therapists, designers, educators, consultants, investors and innovators who work so hard often behind the scenes, to create experiences that genuinely improve people’s lives.

That has always been my why and today, it is the purpose that drives my exceptional team, too.

For our 100th edition, we hosted an intimate celebration at Park Hyatt London River Thames. To anyone who was not in the room, please know this milestone belongs to you, too.

In truth, we would have loved to invite a thousand friends, colleagues and contributors but the evening was always intended to be intimate.

It was created as a personal thank you to a select group of leaders and brands who have supported us and shaped our journey.

A milestone shared with many

A very special thank you goes to Sue Harmsworth MBE and ELEMIS co-founder Noella Gabriel, who supported this milestone moment by sharing their leadership journeys.

Their insight, generosity and contribution to the industry continue to inspire so many of us.

My sincere thanks also go to our event sponsors and supporting brands, whose partnership helped us create such a special celebration. Thank you for believing in European Spa and helping us bring this milestone moment to life.

Thank you also to all our VIP guests for being part of the celebration.

And lastly, to the spa and wellness community. We thank you for reading us, supporting us, challenging us and allowing us to champion this remarkable sector.

The lightbulb moments

Over almost two decades, I have had many lightbulb moments. Some have come from walking into extraordinary spas, others have come from conversations with leaders across our industry.

There have been plenty of lightbulb moments in the less glamorous parts of publishing, too. Because what looks beautiful and effortless on the page is anything but behind the scenes.

Building and sustaining a trusted media brand takes discipline, judgement and commercial understanding.

It also requires editorial instinct, creativity, stamina and a deep commitment to the industry we serve.

Every edition is built from real, trusted content. What you see on the page is only the tip of a highly polished iceberg.

Bringing you the stories that matter

Behind every feature, we go beyond press releases to understand the market and shine a light on the suppliers, specialists and real people whose work is often hidden behind the brand story.

It takes months of conversations, travel, research, interviews, writing and editing. Then comes the intensive design process which involves planning, proofing, inevitable late copy, missing images, last-minute changes and impossible deadlines.

But thanks to teamwork, it always comes together.

And when it does, there is still no feeling quite like seeing a finished edition go live, or receiving a note from someone we have featured simply saying thank you.

Heart-led, industry-focused

I am very proud that, after 100 editions, European Spa is still here. We are still independent, still passionate and still committed to helping the spa and wellness industry thrive and prosper.

I continue to lead the brand a brave former version of me founded with the same passion and care I had at issue one. But it has grown into something far bigger than that first magazine.

Today, European Spa is a trusted media platform with a quarterly magazine, daily news, digital content, the European Spa Leader’s Resource and live events.

We reach and connect with senior spa, wellness, hotel, brand and investment leaders across the industry.

Working with a great team

European Spa has grown because of the people who have helped shape it with me and our commitment to the spa industry.

Mark Smith, our deputy editor and events lead, has been by my side for 14 years. He has helped to represent the brand, support our partners, shape editorial projects and bring our live events to life.

Wendy Golledge, our managing editor, brings sharp editorial instinct, news judgment and industry understanding, helping to keep European Spa relevant, trusted and connected.

Behind the scenes, David, Rich, Angela, Julie and Zoe have each brought years of service, talent and loyalty. They have helped every edition, deadline and milestone come together.

Last but not least, my husband Don Camilleri, former development director of Center Parcs UK & Ireland, has been my sounding board and test reader from issue one.

Why spa leadership matters

In our 100th edition, we talk about elevating spa leadership, because I truly believe spa leaders are the backbone of this industry.

You set the standards. You create the culture. You inspire the teams. You make the brave decisions. You keep moving this sector forward.

Spa and wellness is not standing still. We are talking more seriously about prevention, emotional wellbeing, recovery, personalisation, authenticity, science, nature, connection and community.

We are moving beyond the idea of spa as simply a luxury experience, and towards something far more meaningful. The spa industry has huge, untapped potential and is undoubtedly a key hospitality driver in future.

That is why this work still matters so much to me. I feel the same way I did when I created issue one: passionate about helping the spa and wellness industry thrive and prosper.

To everyone who has been part of the European Spa journey so far, thank you.

Here’s to 100 editions, to our thriving industry, and to the great opportunities that lie ahead.