Samantha is a proven spa manager, trainer, retailer, therapist, and one of Asia-Pacific’s most experienced spa consultants. She is qualified in a wide range of health and beauty therapies, with hands-on operational experience spanning all aspects of today’s Wellness industry.
Sam began her spa career in her native Australia, moving to Asia in 2000 as a spa consultant, creating and managing customized spas for five star hotels and resorts. Former clients include: Accor, Conrad, Hilton, Kamalaya Koh Samui, Le Royal Meridien, Mandarin Oriental, Shangri-La, Taj Luxury Hotels & Palaces, and other boutique resorts.
Since forming her own independent consultancy in 2002, Sam has worked on all types of spas across most continents, however her principal client has been Thailand’s famous Chiva-Som International Health Resort, where she was responsible for preparing the company for international franchise through luxury resort and comprehensive day spa facilities. She was also responsible for the development of Chiva-Som’s acclaimed signature product range, and has considerable experience in spa product development and distribution.
A ‘former life’ of 9 years in advertising and 6 years in cosmetic retail has given Sam a strong background in branding and marketing; a skill used to help her clients and students carve out unique positions in the increasingly competitive spa industry.
Sam is the author and lecturer of four spa business courses, including Spa Development and Spa Management, having run these courses for Thailand’s leading training spa academy since 2002. Hundreds of students from around the world have attended, and the courses are now Chiva-Som Academy’s flagship product.

Seah Seng Choon is the Executive Director of CASE chartered to protect and enhance consumers’ interests through information and education, and to promote an environment of fair and ethical trade practices in Singapore.

As an advent advocate of fair trade, Seng Choon is well-respected and plays an active role in various organisations. He is a member of the Genetically Modification Advisory Council, the Management Systems Standards Committee (MSSC), SPRING, Food Standards Committee Member of Singapore Articles National Code, member of Cut Waste Panel set up by the Government, a member of the National Trust Council set up by IDA to promote safe and secure e-commerce and a member of the Certification Advisory Council (SPRING).

Seng Choon had extensive experience in running organizations. He was the Executive Secretary of
The Food and Beverage Industrial Workers Union, which advocates fair employment terms for workers, General Manager of NTUC Denticare which provides affordable dental services, Director for Skills Development at NTUC training department which overseas among other things, the Skill Redevelopment programme which facilitates the retraining of workers in Singapore, board member of former National Productivity Board which oversee the productivity movement in Singapore.

Seng Choon obtained his BA (Economics, History) and Post Graduate Dip (Bus. Admin) from the National University of Singapore, and was inducted into the Senior Executive Programme at the London Business School.

A pro in the Japanese and Asia luxury consumer markets, Yoriko Soma started in Boston Consulting Group’s Hong Kong office. She has been appointed to several Japanese government committees and has served as a former advisory board member of Sony Marketing of Japan. Ms. Soma’s efforts have helped top international hotel and spa brands, such as Mandara Spa and CHI, the Spa at Shangri-La in Tokyo, establish their presence in the Japanese marketplace. A recent project in which she was involved was the reestablishment of the traditional Japanese Onsen hotel with the opening of the Chikusenso Mt. Zao Onsen Resort and Spa, news that was widely publicized by major media outlets, including TBS channel 6 in Japan.

Trent Munday is Regional Vice President of Mandara Spa, one of the world's leading hotel and resort spa management company. Trent joined Mandara Spa in January 2005 after 14 years in the hotel industry, most recently with Six Senses Hotels & Resorts, where he opened the company’s first Evason property in Hua Hin, Thailand as Resident Manager and COMO Hotels & Resorts where he was the opening General Manager of Uma Ubud, Bali.

Having worked in Australia, USA, Thailand, Maldives, Indonesia and Malaysia, he has gained considerable experience in the hospitality industry across numerous, diverse cultural environments. Trent also spent two years at a senior management level with the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games where he was responsible for a number of portfolios including the accommodation and related services for over 17,000 Athletes and officials in The Village.

Trent’s role is to manage and develop Mandara Spa’s existing business and set the future strategic direction for the company. One of his key responsibilities is to ensure the integrity of the Mandara Spa brand and to identify new branding opportunities within the current business profile of the company. “Put simply, my job is to deliver on our promise to our partners and maintain our position as the market leader.”, says Trent.

Prof Cohen is currently Professor of Complementary Medicine at RMIT University where he leads the worlds first online postgraduate Master of Wellness program, supervises postgraduate research students and conducts research  into various aspects of wellness and complementary medicine. He is also an Expert Advisor to the Therapeutic Goods Administrations (TGA) Complementary Medicine Evaluation Committee (CMEC), a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM), a current Board Member and Past-President (President from 2000-2007) of the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association (AIMA) and a member of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) - AIMA Joint Working party which has guided the development of the RACGP curriculum on Integrative Medicine.   
   
Professor Marc Cohen is a registered medical practitioner with degrees in western medicine, physiology and psychological medicine along with PhDs in both Chinese medicine and biomedical engineering. He sits on the Editorial Board of a number of international journals and has published widely including more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles as well as co-editing the text "Understanding the Global Spa Industry". Prof Cohen has organised 8 International Holistic Health Conferences and is on the Board of the Global Spa Summit. His achievements have been recognised with 3 consecutive RMIT Media Star Awards and the inaugural award for leadership and collaboration from the National Institute of Complementary Medicine.

Melinda is the Managing Director of 360 Spa Solutions, a boutique consulting firm providing total spa and wellness solutions throughout Asia, from full turn key projects to specialized training, sales and marketing services. Melinda created Asia’s first spa and wellness membership programme before running 360 Spa Solutions and for the past five years has been a regular spa and wellness writer for various publications including Editor of AsiaSpa Men, the region’s only dedicated men’s spa publication.

Melinda is a sought after speaker around the region, and apart from being a resident lecturer for the Asian Spa Institute, she has also been the emcee for the regional AsiaSpa Awards as well as the Master of Ceremonies for the Turning Point spa Industry Seminar, for the past three years. Melinda is on the Board of Advisors for the Asian Spa Institute; a Singapore based educational body specializing in spa courses. She is also on the Board of the Asia Pacific Spa and Wellness Council (APSWC).

Suzanne Ng has more than 15 years in the Hospitality, Spa and Wellness industry, both in spa operational  management in key capitals such as New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong as well as consulting for top international hotel and spa brands such as Mandarin Oriental, Shangri-la, Mandara and Westin.  She has a strong interest in research, education and management training for the Spa and Wellness industry within the Hospitality Industry. She is the Senior Academic Staff at the Republic Polytechnic School of Hospitality and Board member of the Spa and Wellness Association ( SWAS) in Research and Education, and advisory board member of the Asia Spa Institute.

Ray started his career in the spa industry as a full body massage therapist before joining BodySpa Boutique as a spa equipment consultant in 2003. BodySpa Boutique is the preferred spa equipment supplier to some of the world's most prestigious destination, hotel, resort, day and medical spas for over a decade. Our strength lies in the premium brands we represent and the unrivalled level of service provided by our highly-experienced and dedicated staff.

Ray's responsibilities include understanding clients' equipment requirements, coordinating vendor production and shipping to meet customer schedules, traveling to project sites to provide setup and installation services, and managing after-project ongoing client support. His experience in client care and understanding of high-end spa customers makes him well-suited to serve the demanding needs of domestic and international spa and resort customers.

Ray is a graduate of Charles Sturt University in Australia, with a Bachelor of Health Science (Complementary Medicine). He holds certifications in Eastern and Western techniques of healing by ITEC (UK) and CIBTAC (UK). His is expected to complete his Master of Health Science (Complementary Medicine) research on the profiles of CAM practitioners in Singapore in 2011.

Specialties:
Spa Equipment Supply (FFE) and Delivery to Spa and Resort Destinations Worldwide

Renee is the Proprietor of GREENTHUMB WELLNESS CENTRE, Massage, spa and health clinic. She is also a faculty member of Aquinas University and Amando Cope College of Nursing.

Graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in United Doctors Medical Center and had post graduate studies in University of Santo Tomas , Manila and University of the Philippines , Diliman Quezon City for Masters in Nursing and Manager’s course.

She is currently taking up MBA in Aquinas University of Legaspi City to augment entrepreneurial skills.

A health and wellness advocate by regularly attending The Philippine Massage Therapy Meetup Group (Manila) Discussion Forum.

She is also an avid campaigner of eco-friendly spa operations applied in her wellness centre, GREENTHUMB WELLNESS CENTRE by using indigenous herbs and virgin coconut oil for massages and scrubs.

A promoter of continuing education on the spa and wellness industry through Business Coach, Greenhills, Manila.

Greenthumb Wellness Centre is a member of PHILWELL/SPA ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES.

Ytsara co-founder Florence Jaffre was born in France in 1965. A biochemist father and a botanist mother who transmitted her their passion for the botanical world raised her in Provence. She has a MBA business administration and worked for Bristol Myers Squibb for a couple of years before assisting in the creation of a medical spa in Paris. In 1997 she joined Doyer hydrotherapy in Bangkok as a spa advisor for Asia Pacific. While her position took her to design treatments and spa menus, she started to research about traditional well being and healing practices in Asia.  In 1999 with partner Marie-Eve Cadouin they opened a spa consulting company and a year later with the help of specialist team - ethno botanist, TCM, chemist, yoga specialist- she and Marie-Eve launched Ytsara a high-end spa brand to which blends French knowledge in cosmetology with rare Asian ingredients.

In 2007, they decided to launch a second brand of exclusive niche spa collections called Akhassa, which honors Asian beauty secrets and the age-old recipes of traditional healers from Japan to Thailand to China.

Yena Feliana likes to nurture. As a child, whenever she was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, her answer was always the same: “A psychologist. I wanted to understand why people are different.” Feliana not only recognises that everyone is different but also treats each person accordingly. “Taking care of each person in a way that suits them as an individual is the most rewarding part of my job,” she explains.

She believes the most important part of running the spa is ensuring guests know the staff are there for them. “That’s not just about welcoming them through the door, it’s much deeper,” she says, recalling one guest who arrived at the spa distressed about the state of her relationship and unsure what to do. “She came for some quiet time for herself, but because we are never intrusive, she started sharing stories,” Feliana says. “We listen, but we do not have to give advice. Being there for someone and listening to them is a very important skill.”

And she believes it’s vital to instill confidence in her Balinese staff who, by nature, are shy and humble when it comes to their own talents. “One of my biggest challenges is to make sure the staff are kept aware of their special value,” she says. “I share guest comments with them and acknowledge what a good job they have done.”

Judith was trained in the prestigious Champneys College of Health and Beauty Therapy in England as an aesthetician and spa therapist in 1990. She has been in the health and beauty industry for 17 years and has more than 12 years of experiences as a spa trainer and consultant. Judith holds the CIDESCO, CIBTAC and ITEC qualifications and is also a member of the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) and a member of the International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFA) in England. She also holds a Diploma in Business Studies from Ngee Ann Polytechnic in Singapore.

Since returning to Singapore in 1991, Judith worked in some of the early day spas in Singapore, introducing spa therapies to Singaporeans who were still new to this concept. Her passion for the spa industry saw her being a full-time Aromatherapy and Spa trainer at Top To Toe College of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology for two years. Judith has trained many therapists in Singapore and Malaysia, equipping them with therapy skills of International standard. She also train students in Holistic Therapies such as Indian Head Massage, Hot Stone Therapy, Lomi Lomi, Sports and Remedial Massage, Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Foot Reflexology, Ear Candling, Cosmetic Chemistry and many more.

Judith is also trained in Chakra and Aura Healing, Reiki I and II, Magnified Healing, Electromagnetic Field Healing, Crystal Healing and Language of Light Healing. She also conducts beauty and wellness workshops and seminars for Club Med resorts, L’Oreal and Luxasia. During her free time, she volunteers her time offering Reiki, touch therapy and counseling to HIV/AIDS and cancer patients at Assisi Hospice and CDC Centre.

Charles holds a BA in Economic, Politics and Government and an MSc in Shipping, Trade and Finance. He is also a certified Holistic Health Practitioner, an Iridologist, Kinesiologist and a Medical Thermographic Technician.

Much of his life was spent in the UK and USA. His main goal is to empower, enable and enrich holistic individuals and companies that contribute to improving the lives of mankind. He has also created a feature rich Internet application to help the community as well as giving talks to raise the awareness in proactive health care as well as introducing a radical new business model for the new era.

Charles is the co-founder of Verita Advanced Wellness Pte Ltd, Singapore’s largest Integrated Wellness center launching in October 2010. He acts as the company’s business director & heads their Research & Development, specializing in Bio-energetic equipment, professional grade supplements & the development of integrated protocols to constantly improve the efficacy of health enhancing programs.

Having charted a highly successful career path through the likes of P&G, L’Oreal, red earth (Esprit), AS Watson and Molton Brown (Kao), Adam Horler decided to leave the “comfy armchair” of corporate life and launch Osmosis Ventures in Nov 2008.

More than half his business life has been spent working in Asia, moving to Hong Kong from England in April 1998 and then to Singapore in Sep 2006.

His corporate travels have taken him all over Asia; from the capital cities to the countryside; from mega malls to the smallest regional wholesale markets; from Japan to New Zealand to India; all in search of the Asian consumer and what makes them tick.

His personal journey has seen him:
–navigate his way through the shark-infested waters of Corporate life to become a regional CEO and international Board member
–take a year out to play full-time rugby union for Hong Kong
–leave Corporate life to pursue a life trying to “do his bit” to Save The Planet
–setting up Osmosis Ventures and LOHAS Asia in this quest

Osmosis Ventures’ company mission is “Promoting Conscious Living”. Adam’s work with Osmosis Ventures focuses on working with consumer brands, retailers and hotel groups to promote and source brands that aim to meet today’s consumers’ needs while leaving minimal impact on the environment.

Adam is the figurehead and spokesperson for the LOHAS (Lifestyles Of Health And Sustainability) movement in SE Asia & Hong Kong. This organization aims to act as an educator, organizer and connector bringing business and consumers together to enable trade and commerce in an environmentally-sustainable manner.

Dr. Robbins is an adviser and consultant with an international reputation for innovative work in the field of education and quality assurance. Based in Singapore, he is currently working on projects involving transformational change through Applied Aesthetics and applications of ‘soft-power’ to East-West business practices. His research interests include the assessment of performance, applications of connoisseurship in education, training and professional development. Dr. Robbins is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors. He is a Member of the Institute of Directors, the British Educational Research Association, and the International Association for Educational Assessment. He was awarded his Doctorate by Exeter University, England, and specialises in the quality assurance of expert judgements.

Dr. Ken Chang graduated with a PhD from Beijing Normal University in
Aesthetics and Cultural Industry Study. He has accumulated more then 30 years of industrial experience as Sales and Marketing Manager, General Manager, Regional Director with MMC in the manufacturing and service Industry. Stationed in London, Zurich, Beijing and Hong Kong. His last appointment was the Executive Director of a Singapore Government funded large IPC (Institute of Public Character). He is a fellow of the London College of Music and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. As a Corporate Advisor, he is the Managing Partner of a Venture Fund involved in the Cultural Industry. He serves as a board member and the Vice Chairman of Mandarin Chapter in Singapore Spa and Wellness Association.

Mrs. Elizabeth Wong

Pioneer. Entrepreneur.

Mrs. Elizabeth Wong’s interest in spas started 15 years ago when she visited a thalassotherapy centre in France. She found the seawater therapy most beneficial and exhilarating and after several repeat visits, felt the need to start a spa in Singapore. Renewal Day Spa opened in 1995, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia and reputed to be one of Asia’s best Day Spas.

Interest in European Spa concepts and history has led her to undergo research and training in Thalassotherapy in France, Kenipp treatments in Germany and Medical Spa concept in Karlsbad, Czechoslovakia.

Realizing the need to regulate spa standards and practices and to educate consumers about spas she was one of the founding members of the Spa Association of Singapore and has served as an executive committee member since its inception in 1990

In 2000 she researched and developed, in partrnership with Eu Yan Sang, a range of custom label Traditional Chinese medicine herbal products for the spa industry and launched Renewal Club Spa at Meritus Negara, the first spa in Singapore to blend Asian - Oriental concepts with European spa therapies.

Stepping into the arena of spa consultancy, Mrs. Wong was awarded a contract in 1995 to develop, the first luxury residential condominium in Singapore with an aquatonic pool and spa facilities at Villa Marina

In 1999, she was awarded a contract to operate Renewal Day Spa at Fort Canning Country Club.

Always ahead of times and anticipating the growth of spa and healthcare businesses throughout Asia, Mrs. Wong set up Premiere Management Consultants to provide spa consultancy and management services for overseas projects.

She was responsible for spear-heading and developing a myriad of spa projects in Beijing, China and entered into a license agreement to open the Renewal Spa Club in Beijing in 2006.

Her current projects include consultancy for a five-star Day Spa in Singapore as well as consultancy for a Polo Club Spa and Hotel Spa in Tianjin, China.

A pioneer in the industry, Mrs. Elizabeth Wong is a well-respected visionary who has stayed at the forefront of emerging spa and lifestyle trends.

Dr Katherine Tassioulas is a renowned psychotherapist and clinical hypnotherapist and has had tremendous success healing clients and has spoken at many conferences over the years. Her clients include those with emotional and mental issues as well as medical problems like fibromyalgia, cancer, chronic fatigue and chronic pain. Katherine has been a Director and Owner of the very successful Australasian Institute of Health & Healing Pty Ltd for over 35 years. She is also a Director of Ripple Energetics, The National Institute of Hypnotherapy & a Certification Director for Inergetix- Core. Her qualifications include a Doctorate in Clinical Hypnotherapy, Post Graduate Diploma of Psychotherapy, Diploma of Health and a Diploma in Counseling and Conflict Resolution. Katherine is also a Master N.L.P Practitioner and Trainer and holds an Advanced Diploma in Metaphysical & Energy Healing. Katherine and her husband Thomas have been working together since the mid 1970’s to help clients and students gain a better understanding of their health and wellbeing. Integrating therapies of the mind body and spirit towards better heatlh. They are currently consulting with the Wellness and SPA industry to enable a better understanding of the successful therapies available for the Wellness, SPA and Resort industries clientele. Katherine and Thomas have travelled extensively to different parts of the world presenting seminars and workshops.

Education :
Executive MBA from Thammasart University
MS Pharmacy from Chulalongkorn University
BS Pharmacy from Manila Central University, Philippines
High school from St. John College, Bangkok

Working experiences
Current positions
Managing Director SpaOvations Thailand Company Limited
Alpha Cosmetics Company Limited
Alpha Laboratories Company Limited
Spaplan Company Limited

Note : SpaOvations Thailand are currently managing the following premium spas in Thailand: Vareena Spa @ Westin Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok, S15 Spa @the S15 Hotel on Sukhumvit 15, Bangkok, Sundaree Spa @ Supalai Resort & Spa, Phuket, Sundaree Spa @ the new Eastin Hotel & Spa , Bangkok. Dor Shada Spa @ Dor Shada Resort & Spa , Pattaya, Bussaya Spa@ the Cheing Mai Plaza Hotel, Cheing Mai, Thailand and two premium spa and health club called the Sundaree Spa and Health Club @ the Radisson Water Garden Hotel, Dhaka and Tararom Sap @ the Peninsular Hotel, Chittagong, Bangladesh,
Also two thalasso spa in Red Sea, Egypt. Sundaree Spa at Premier LeReve Resort & Spa and Vareena Spa at the Fort Arabesque Resort & Spa in Makadi Bay.We are currently developing one new resort/hotel spa in Colombo, Sri Lanka and to be opened during 3rd.quarter 2011

Current:

Chairman Federation for the Thai Spa from 2007
Vice Chairman Committee on Health Service Business, the Thai Chamber of Commerce
Committee Committee on Health and Sport Tourism, the Thai Chamber of Commerce
Advisor Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce
Advisor Subcommittee on health tourism development, Senate Committee on Health Tourism
Advisor Subcommittee on Tourism and Sports, House of Representative ‘s Committee on Tourism and Sports Affairs
Advisor Central Committee on Rules and Regulations, healthcare business section, Ministry of Public Health

Special Lecturer on Spa management topics, Bangkok University, Rangsit University, Khon Khean University, Thai Chamber of Commerce University, CheingMai University, Tourism Authority of Thailand, SME and Ministry of Public Health.