Gathered once again in Cornwall’s Gwel an Mor Resort in Portreath, SpaFest 2023 drew together senior spa professionals and wellness leaders.

In a return to the original, smaller event, founder Amanda Winwood led a programme focused on people, sustainability and health for 65 attendees.

Connections were made through workshops and open discussion, and the emphasis was on the wellbeing industry working together to create a force for good.

Resilience and leadership

Jamie Edwards ran a ‘regroup and reset’ bootcamp. The wellness leadership day included a ‘find your leadership voice’ workshop, followed by a mindful forest walk and sea soul healing session.

“My learnings from SpaFest is that the people who need to be in the room, will be in the room. It’s a timing thing,” he says.

“By working on YOU and filling you’re cup again, you’ll be able invest more of you into work.”

Standing in your light

Keynote Kay Pennington, UK spa leader and multi-site wellness manager of Aqua Sana spas, talked about standing in her light – the five chapters in mental health, resilience and leadership.

“We often go to industry events and talk about our operations, but we don’t focus on ourselves,” she says. “SpaFest encouraged me to ask who am I?

“We get so immersed in what we do, we don’t stop to think and reflect. My post SpaFest plan is for more self reflection.”

Learnings and wellbeing ceremonies at SpaFest 2023

Educational sessions included a nutritional workshop on the microbiome with Dr Neil Carpenter, and Chris Hines MBE, co-founder of Surfers Against Sewage, led a session entitled ‘stand in your power and understand your impact’.

An interview with Sue Harmsworth MBE covered the role of integrative wellness in spas.

Wellbeing workshops included a vibrational energy and sound healing ceremony with the ‘Gong Whisperer’, Jill Russell. There was also a Blue Health sea immersion experience with Lizzi Larbalestier, Kari Herbert, Pippa Best and Avril Greenaway at Portreath Beach.

“Even when you organise an event, you get as much out of it as you put into it.  The truth and honesty from the speakers and the principles of doing good for people, planet and health inspired me and many others,” said SpaFest and Made for Life Organics founder Amanda Winwood.

“Many delegates said they preferred the smaller numbers and the chance to have better, deeper conversations. So we will restrict 2024 number to a maximum of 80 people.

“There were more workshops this year, which enabled people to pick and choose what they wanted to do. The SpaFest community grew and flourished, and some major leaders within our sector came together as a community.

“On a personal level, this year really helped both me and my husband Geoff to take a step back and reflect on what we do.”

European Spa asked delegates to share their top takeaway or stand-out memorable moment from the 2023 networking event