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Melinda Yon, the Singapore-based Technical Services Director of Spa and Wellness and part of the core Wellness Innovation Team at Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, will present the keynote address on international developments – What can African spas learn from overseas? – at the 2019 World Spa & Wellness Africa Convention, which runs at Gallagher Convention Centre on 1 & 2 September.
What would you like delegates to take away from your keynote address?
I think it’s important for delegates to always take something away from any event they attend, whether it is learning something new for their own personal development or something practical they can apply to their business. Trends and international developments are certainly exciting topics as the spa and wellness landscape is transforming and I’ll be sharing what’s being predicted versus what is practical and could be relevant to Africa.
Where do you think there is opportunity for the African spa industry in the future?
The African spa and wellness industry has so much potential as it’s still in a growth stage, which certainly comes with a lot of benefits. Generally, we are seeing an increased use of technology and more wellness being incorporated into spa offerings. But there could be other opportunities with wellness tourism, as well as traditional healing, indigenous knowledge and plant healing.
What are the key reasons you want to speak at the World Spa & Wellness Africa Convention?
I am very passionate about the spa and wellness industry and I am also very fortunate to be working for one of the pioneering spa and wellness hospitality companies, Six Senses. In my dual role I work with the development and technical services teams to create the spa and wellness concepts and designs for our properties; as well as work with our core Wellness Innovation Team members to incubate ideas, create and implement projects. I’m excited to share this knowledge and also to experience the African spa and wellness scene and the exchange of ideas.
Why do you think it’s important for industry professionals to attend events like this?
I’ve been attending and speaking at spa and wellness industry events for over 15 years and I find them rewarding for so many reasons – from networking to being exposed to new products and services, to discovery and feeling totally inspired and recharged. I’m also a big believer of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Thinking’s, ‘Sharpening the Saw’ and it’s important to seek ways of personal improvement and renewal and such events can certainly contribute to this.
You are also chairing the closing session of the Convention – Charting Your Way through the Spa Obstacle Course (i.e. key challenges facing the spa industry today). Why is this an important topic to address?
It’s a reality that our industry faces obstacles and they may not always be addressed or discussed so openly, so this event and this topic provides a platform to create awareness, share experiences, provide insights and even solutions – a real exchange where participants can both learn and contribute.
Melinda Yon is presenting the Keynote Address – What can African spas learn from overseas? – at 09h45 on Sunday, 1 September.
Melinda Yon will also chair the panel session – Charting Your Way through the Spa Obstacle Course – at 14h30 on Monday, 2 September.
The 2019 World Spa & Wellness Africa Convention takes place at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on 1 & 2 September, as part of the Professional Beauty Johannesburg Expo.
For more information on the convention programme and to book your place at the convention, log on to https://www.probeauty.co.za/wsw