SpaFest, the experiential, engaging and truly connected event for spa and wellness professionals heads to the award-winning 5-star eco-resort, Gwel an Mor in Cornwall from October 12-14, 2021.

This ‘must attend’ event, which focuses on ‘People, Planet and Health’, takes on new meaning this year as every spa and wellness professional looks for new ways to reconnect, rebuild and re-energise their personal and professional wellbeing after a challenging year.

As always, this unique industry gathering, which welcomes all, is refreshingly free from the formalities of business attire, name badges and organised selling.

Started by Amanda Winwood, founder of Made for Life Organics, SpaFest is a not-for-profit event that benefits the Made for Life Foundation – a charity, founded in 2008 by Amanda, which has provided holistic support to more than 10,000 people diagnosed with and recovering from cancer.

European Spa magazine, the essential resource for spa and wellness hospitality, will continue as media partner for the event and in a strengthening of the team for 2021, Amanda welcomes Sarah Camilleri, founding editor of European Spa as her new co-director. With 18 years’ experience of reporting on global spa and wellness developments, Sarah said she is looking forward to further supporting the industry in her new role.

Industry leaders back SpaFest 2021

A number of significant top-level spa industry appointments have also been announced to strengthen the SpaFest team.

Amanda, Sarah and treasurer, Fran Hayter welcome Brian Hunter, director of spa and leisure, The Old Course Hotel, St Andrews, Scotland to serve as chairman of the new SpaFest Advisory Board; and media consultant Mark Smith brings his expertise to lead communications.

SpaFest also welcomes new Advisory Board members: Barbara Cooke, MD, BC Softwear; Iain Bell, founder of Executive Fitness Foundation; Leon Trayling, co-founder of ishga skincare; and Kicki Carlsson, co-founder of Dröm.

Keynote speakers include Susan Harmsworth, MBE

Featuring empowering sessions, thought-provoking talks and multiple opportunities to connect, this year’s SpaFest will offer an exceptional balance of education, inspiration and social wellbeing activities in a friendly and supportive space.

The event will begin with performance coach Jamie Edwards, founder of Trained Brain, who will offer a day of empowerment and leadership for spa industry professionals in attendance.

Susan Harmsworth, MBE will then discuss ‘The real trends and challenges that face the spa and wellness industry’.

Other speakers confirmed so far include: Kay Pennington, group spa manager of Center Parcs Aqua Sana; Dr Neil Carpenter, founder of NMC2; and Soul Luxury founder Claudia Roth. More leading industry experts are set to be confirmed in due course.

Taking advantage of the event’s surrounding natural beauty, wellbeing workshops will include gong baths with Jill Russell, yoga classes, forest bathing in the ancient Tehidy woods and swimming from Portreath Beach.