Global Spa Summit Announces 2010 Keynote Speaker

The Global Spa Summit (GSS), the premier annual event for spa and wellness industry executives, today announced that prominent 'futurist' and analyzer of macro consumer trends, Philippe Bourguignon, will address delegates as a keynote speaker. The Summit is being held this May 17-19 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Bourguignon will share his vast, global expertise in the travel, tourism, and real estate industries, as current CEO of Miraval (the world-class resort spa in Tucson, Arizona), and Vice Chairman of Revolution Places, a company dedicated to developing new tourism models/companies that promote unique, authentic experiences and healthy lifestyles.

His extraordinary resume also includes stints as Co-CEO of the Davos-based World Economic Forum; Executive VP of Disney Europe and Chairman and CEO of Euro Disney; CEO/Chairman of Club Med; and President of Accor Group, Asia-Pacific. He currently sits on the Board of companies and institutions ranging from eBay, to the Centre for Contemporary Art in Paris, to Informed Judgment, a Geneva-based think tank. He's been named Chevalier of the Legion of Honor and Officer in the Ordre National du Mérite, and serves on the Executive Committee of the World Travel and Tourism Council.

Bourguignon is renowned for his out-of-the-box approach, which helps entrepreneurs develop creative new models that can capitalize on future cultural and market realities. His Summit keynote, '2025: What's Next?' will bring his unique 'future-focused' vision to bear on the spa, travel, and wellness industries.

"By 2025 we will be on the threshold of a whole new civilization, and one that will be marked by unique paradoxes and developments. Older generations are already moving away from an age of excessive passion to excessive reason, and younger generations are embracing intuition and new freedoms," said Bourguignon. "I'm looking forward to discussing topics that help our industry 'free their minds,' while exploring our shared future together."

The GSS has played host to a wide range of prestigious speakers, industry panels, and collaborative meetings. Past speakers include Adolf Ogi, former president of Switzerland; Steve Case, CEO, Revolution Health; Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th US Surgeon General; Ian Schrager, famed American hotelier and real estate developer; and Reto Wittwer, CEO of Kempinski - among others.

Bourguignon will join a slate of 2010 Summit keynote presenters that will be announced in upcoming weeks. GSS's Board of Directors anticipates a sold-out event this year, reporting a record number of invitees registered this month.

For registration/sponsorship information contact: [email protected], or visit: www.globalspasummit.org

About Global Spa Summit: The award-winning Global Spa Summit is an annual event that attracts top-level executives and leaders from around the world with interest in the spa and wellness industries. Delegates from diverse sectors including hospitality, investment, finance, real estate, medicine, manufacturing, technology, consulting, product, tourism and other related industries attend this intimate, high-level gathering focused on advancing the spa and wellness sectors. With increasing attendance by more countries each year, the Global Spa Summit delegation represented 32 different countries from all continents in 2009.