Chiang Mai 2008

Given Thailand's importance as a spa destination and Chiang Mai's location in the country's cultural heartland... Chiang Mai and the luxurious 5-star Shangri-La Hotel were the natural choice for The Turning Point's 6th annual spa industry seminar.

The event program featured an impressive line-up of international speakers covering such diverse topics as global travel trends, brand development, interior architecture and design, internet promotion strategies, and CSR case studies and approaches. The latest findings in sleep research and a discussion on how the principles of feng shui have been applied in spa design were also covered.

The first of two panel discussions, moderated by well-known industry personalities and featuring prominent expert panelists, looked at how green initiatives can be effectively promoted to attract customers and enhance profitability. The second focused on defining and comparing the varying properties of organic, natural and cosmeceutical therapy products.

Day 3 featured workshops and interactive focus groups. Two workshops took an in-depth look into spa-related environmental, sustainability and social issues; a third demonstrated how vibrational, crystal and sound healing can be integrated into a therapy menu. Interactive focus groups offered strategies for ensuring customer and staff loyalty as well as spa business profitability.