Session HOSPITALITY FORUM:
Investing to Thermal Hospitality
Andrew Gibson
Chairman, Wellness Tourism Association
Andrew Gibson is an advisor and strategist for wellness communities, real estate and hospitality. He has been part of the senior management teams that have created iconic spa and wellness brands such as Six Senses, Mandarin Oriental, Raffles, Fairmont, Pullman, Sofitel, MGallery and Sensei (A wellness retreat located in Lanai, Hawaii and owned by Oracle founder, Larry Ellison).
Over the last 30+ years, Andrew has created global brands, operated in over 70 countries and managed multiple brands for large corporations while retaining the ability to guide startup companies, or provide advice equally to world leaders or university students.
As a truly global citizen he has lived in the USA, Middle East, Asia, and Europe and has been a prominent figure through voluntary work in industry associations on every continent and in advisory positions at universities.
He was one of the founding members and board directors of Global Wellness Summit/Institute, the Chairman of the Wellness Tourism Association and remains a long-time serving judge of the World Spa and Wellness Awards and Chair of the Wellness Hall of Fame.
He maintains a global network and a comprehensive knowledge of how to provide wellness services in communities, resorts, real estate and lifestyle choices.
Andrew is a globally recognized expert for the area of wellness and has been actively involved in the innovation and opening of world class destination spa and wellness operations. Often sought after as an authoritative speaker on the topic of sustainable wellness trends.
Mark Hennebry
Director CP Holdings, Ensana Hotel
Mark Hennebry is the Hotel Director for CP Holdings, responsible for a portfolio of 45 hotels owned and operated under two distinct brands; Danubius Hotels and Ensana.
Danubius is the leading operator in Hungary predominantly in city centre and resort locations. Ensana is Europe’s largest health spa hotel operator located in 6 countries principally in Central Europe.
Mark has a background of over 25 years in the hotel, spa, financial and private equity sectors across management, operational and financial roles in Europe, Asia and the U.S.
Vladan Vešković
Secretary General, Serbian Spas Association
After 12 years in private business, Vladan is a Secretary general of the Serbian Spas Association since 2006. Serbian Spas Association successfully works for 55 years, and gather 25 local municipalities and the same number of health institutions in spas, as well as colleges and universities in the field of medicine, hydrogeology, tourism, economics and marketing .
As General secretary of the Serbian Spas Association, he was the organizer of the four Serbian Spas Exchange, four Serbian Spa Congress, and 3rd Balkan Spa Summit. With numerous presentations outside Serbia, promotes thermal potential of Serbia, which is now used by only 5 %. Uses every opportunity to remind the balneo tradition of Serbia, which has been successfully developing last two centuries.
Vladan is a member of the National Tourism Council of Serbia, formed by Serbian Government, Working group for spa tourism development, and Association for tourism at the Serbian Commerce & Economy Chamber.
Prof. Dr. h.c. Nike Schröder
Project Lead, Palazzo Fiuggi
At the age of 15, Nike began her professional career at ARD, where she moderated for "SR1" and "Unser Ding" in her spare time and worked as a junior reporter for public broadcasting. After graduating from high school, she attended RTL's journalism school.
This was followed by further journalistic stages before Nike switched to the luxury hotel industry as "Director Sales & Media, Marketing and New Business" for the renowned Forte Village Resort in Sardinia.
Later, Nike co-founded Palazzo Fiuggi, where she was able to combine her vision of holistic health and prevention with the excellence of the international hospitality industry. When Nike was able to work as a lecturer with all the knowledge about longevity and epigenetics, the circle was closed.
