This June saw the triumphant return of Forum HotSpa for its first in-person business networking event return to the iconic Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris. One of the industry’s premier international business events, supported by longtime media partner European Spa, saw 150 industry figures from spa and hospitality gather in Paris for a day of insight and information. 

Hosted and organised by Vladi Kovanic, this year’s event was themed around ‘Thinking outside the box’, and featured an expert speaker programme covering such topics as thalassotherapy, ocean wellness, the value of people and preventative healthcare.

Creative communication 

European Spa’s founding editor Sarah Camilleri, up and coming spa vlogger Rafaella Dallarda and freelance spa journalist and Spa Business contributing editor Jane Kitchen offered their unique perspectives on spa businesses in a panel discussion that covered everything from innovation and communication to the future of the sector. 

Meanwhile, this year’s guest of honour Roger Allen, CEO of RLA Group, opened the event with a talk on post-pandemic success strategies, fostering a creative mindset and success in the wellbeing industry. Expert advisor to a global portfolio of tourism, hospitality, and leisure assets, he focused on the rising demand for mental wellbeing and how every wellness hospitality business needs to rethink their “people strategy” for future success.

Other speakers included event moderator, World Wellness Weekend founder and TipTouch CEO Jean-Guy De Gabriac, who encouraged delegates to consider how elevating their staff experience can positively impact the guest experience. Looking to the future, leadership coach Cornelia Kausch brought home the importance of nurturing a service mindset in hospitality and also asked the delegation to consider true value of operators’ most important asset – their people.

Service as an emotional experience 

The focus on workforce wellbeing continued with a memorable contribution from renowned hotelier Flip Boyen. Now an ambassador for Forbes Travel Guide, Boyen previously served as CEO of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, overseeing a property portfolio of more than 540 exceptional independent hotels in 80 countries. In his speech, he asked delegates to think about how service could be translated into an emotional experience and to consider emerging macros trends such as responsible travel, community give back and sleep quality. 

Blue Ocean thinking 

Another key topic at this year’s event was the ocean, with Dr Frans Linser, founder & CEO of Linser Hospitality, gave a fascinating presentation on blue ocean wellness. Relaise Thalasso directeur general Jean-Luc Pleuvry shared insights on the latest thalassotherapy data and how the power of marine healing could be re-imagined as results-driven mini-sessions for a new generation of time-poor spa-goers.

Blue Diamond, Black Diamond

The event culminated in the Blue and Black Diamond Awards, which honour a talented professional working in thalassotherapy and an ‘outstanding and inspiring’ spa manager. This year’s Blue Diamond Award was presented to Marisa Melpignano, CEO of Masseria San Domenico, who was recognised for her outstanding contribution to thalassotherapy. The Black Diamond was awarded to Katia Dufon-Schaffhauser, director of Maison de Beauté Carita, Paris, for her dedication to the spa industry.

Speaking exclusively to European Spa Dufon-Schaffhauser said: “I’m truly proud and honoured to receive this award. This profession is, for me, a real passion. Every day, it allows me to learn and grow, both professionally and as a person. At all times, my motivation is to achieve excellence.” 

Commenting on the success of this year’s event, organiser Vladi Kovanic told European Spa: “I’m very proud of the 2022 edition of ForumHOTel&Spa. The main aim for the forum is to bring people together to share their knowledge and wellbeing expertise, and we did that this year with our excellent roster of speakers.”