Summit to reset world wellness

The summit will focus on wellness concepts that serve diverse populations, wellness technology, wellness design and mental wellness. PHOTO: Image Collab

Leaders in the global wellness industry will gather to strategise about new wellness concepts to transform the world post-COVID-19 at the Global Wellness Summit (GWS) in Florida from 8 to 11 November. The 14th annual summit with the theme ‘Resetting the world with wellness’ aims to positively shape the future of global wellness and drive powerful growth for the sector.

Nancy Davis, executive director of the GWS says, COVID-19 exposed the importance of preventative wellness and cost of chronic conditions to the world, along with inequities in access to healthcare and wellness. She says the GWS is built on a culture of collaboration and it’s time to bring wellness leaders safely together again in person at the summit which will focus on wellness concepts that serve diverse populations, wellness technology, wellness design and mental wellness.

“The summit will focus on technology innovations transforming the wellness industry with the conference’s first Tech Innovation Pavilion showcasing early-stage start-ups and established companies that have executed a ‘virtual pivot’ in response to the crisis. We are committed to creating a model for how a conference should be convened at a time like this and with safety paramount, wellness will be brought to life in unique ways. This may be the most important summit in their history,” says the executive director.

According to Davis, COVID-19 accelerated migration of health and wellness solutions online and innovation in wellness technology including new mental wellness platforms, digital fitness and beauty solutions, femtech and work solutions. She says investment and consumer adoption is in overdrive with venture capitalists pouring $3.1 billion into digital health and funding for the at-home fitness sector quadrupling in quarter 1, while top 10 mental wellness apps had a combined 10 million downloads a month.

“Concepts bringing wellness into the home, wellness real estate and community projects were a fast-rising trend and $134 billion market pre-pandemic with COVID-19 ramping up interest in ‘well’ homes, communities, cities, architecture and design. Delegates can experience a post-summit immersion experience on wellness real estate and communities at the Serenbe development outside Atlanta, one of the first wellness communities in the United States from 11 to 13 November,” says Davis.

Susie Ellis, CEO of the GWS, says mental wellness has been a powerful focus for individuals, the wellness industry, businesses and governments these last few years and the conference will explore how COVID-19 is spurring growth and innovation across this landscape. She says the Global Wellness Institute will release the first research report on the mental wellness market.

“Every aspect of the summit is being curated to deliver a safe, hygienic way for people to begin to meet and create a model for how a conference should now be convened. Dr. Richard Carmona, the 17th Surgeon General of the United States, is serving as medical advisor working with the GWS team, venue and government agencies to ensure the GWS exceeds standards for a safe gathering,” says Ellis.

According to the CEO, the venue enables appropriate physical distancing through generous use of outdoor space and hygiene protocols including attendees wearing mandatory masks in indoor and public areas, daily health screenings and personal protective equipment for all staff. She says other measures will include 100% touchless guest transactions, daily disinfection of HVAC/air filtration systems with UV light and ionization technologies, intensive cleaning practices of electrostatic spray cleaning the property and a food safety manager.

“Now is the time to reset the world with wellness because it’s the only concept with prevention and total wellbeing at its core and is a framework to address the physical, mental, social and environmental unwellness around us. The wellness industry can now have its biggest impact on the world stage but needs to be responsible and creative to meet new opportunities and challenges so it’s crucial to bring the brightest minds together to chart that future,” says Ellis.