iswec

Meet and Learn From Experts and Industry Players

Andrew Jacka is the founder of Horwath Spa Consulting, which was awarded Asia’s Leading Spa Consultancy 2007 by the World Travel Awards committee. He is actively involved in the Thai Spa Association, the Asia Pacific Spa & Wellness Council and the Tourism Technology Association. He writes about spa related topics and speaks extensively at local and international spa events.

A qualified practitioner and expert in a wide range of spa and holistic therapies, Samantha Foster is responsible for the development and international expansion of a proprietary range of spa products. She is the Chairman of the Asia Pacific Spa & Wellness Council and the co-founder and Vice President of the Spa & Wellness Association of Singapore.

Ken graduated in Master’s degree in the Science of Traditional Oriental Medicine and has been published with articles on Chinese Medicine, cancer treatment, and nutrition. The University of Arizona’s Program in integrative medicine invited him to speak at a conference on Nutrition and Health held in March, 2004 Dr. Andrew Weil’s newsletter interviewed Ken on several topics including a feature on acupuncture. He is a licensed acupuncturist and board certified herbologist. In addition to his private practice, Ken also taught classes in nutrition, diagnosis, and Thai Medical Massage at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York for the past five years. At the beginning of 2006, Ken moved to Thailand to be a resident therapist at Chiva-Som international health resort. Last year, the Thailand Authority of Tourism asked him to write a landmark article comparing traditional Thai massage and acupuncture.

Suzanne Ng is Founder and CEO of Conceptasia Inc., a consultancy that set-up award-winning spas for clients such as Mandarin Oriental, Westin, Mandara Spa, Prince Hotel, Lotte Hotel, Expressions International and more, around the world. She is a member of the advisory board for Asia Spa Institute-Cornell Executive programme as well as CEO of Spa Finder Japan.

Terry Herman is a featured speaker and presenter in business and spa industry related conferences including PMAC, ICES, Medical Spa Conference, ICESC and Spacifcally. She has authored a spa glossary and frequently writes for consumer and trade publications about spa related topics. She is a member of the Advisory Board for the 2008 ISWEC Kuala Lumpur.

Entrepreneur, speaker and author, Carina Chatlani is a champion for Ayurveda and traditional therapies. She holds a degree in Biological Science and Plant Morphology, and has apprenticed under masters in the Himalayan Mountains. Carina is the founder and creator of BODY BISTRO and ASANA SPA / SKIN SYSTEM based on Ayurvedic principles.

A spa and hospitality management expert, Mary Darling developed a passion for wellness into a career that includes tenure with the largest spa management company in the world. She is on the Organising Committee of the Asia Pacific Spa and Wellness Council and Planet Task Force. Her company provides sustainable resources, services and goods to the hospitality community.

A health, population and development specialist with 20 years experience in developing health care and wellness programmes, Jomar Fleras manages the European Union Asia Invest funded project to internationalise the operation of spas in the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. He owns Sanctuario Spa and is a practitioner of alternative medicine.

An expert in the field of Ayurveda, Prasad Ninan has consulted for various local and international organisations on the successful operation of spa activities based on Ayurvedic principles. He is largely credited for bringing this ancient Indian art of healing to the world forum with proper standardisation, documentation and branding with the support of the Government of India.

Melinda Yon is the Managing Director of 360 Spa Solutions, a boutique consultancy providing total spa and wellness solutions through out the region. She is the Editor of AsiaSpa Men and a regular contributor to various publications on the topics of spa and wellness. She is also a resident lecturer and member of the Board of Advisor of the Asian Spa Institute.

Donald Cha is a former distributor of cosmetics, skincare and spa products who branched into spa operations. He has a wealth of experience in spa management and operations, having started four successful spas in: Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, Malaysia, Pokhara, Nepal, Eastin Hotel, Malaysia, and IOI Resort, Putrajaya, Malaysia. He also operates the spa at Shangri-la Hotel, Lazimpat, Kathmandu and a beauty salon at Hyatt Regency, Kathmandu. He is the founder of the Spa & Wellness Association of Nepal and Councillor for Asia Pacific Spa & Wellness Council.

Being a ‘spa passionate’ and practitioner, Erika Dewi’s philosophy is to transfer her knowledge on how to keep spirit and mind alive while preserving a healthy body. She is the Director of Banyu Spa Products & Consult, Bali, and the Vice Chairman of the Spa & Wellness Association of Bali. Her focus is in traditional therapies, herbal compress, native therapies and trigger point massage.

Faridah Binti Ahmad Fadzil is a second generation herbalist specialising in tropical herbs. She is the creator of Tanamera, a natural range of spa and lifestyle products, and has been involved in formulating natural spa products for various companies. Faridah is an advisor on Malay treatments and a sought-after speaker on various topics relating to herbal products and the industry as a whole.

Edward Wong is President of the Asian Chapter, Day Spa Association and International Medical Spa Association. He has been involved with the Beauty and Spa industry for over 20 years in various capacities and is the President of Esth’EdeS Institute International Inc., the parent company of Institute Esthètique de Suisse, EdeS Spas and Stress-Ease Sanctuary.