Global Wellness Summit announces 2018 co-chairs

The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) has announced wellness expert Mia Kyricos and former Fitness First Australia chief executive Tony de Leede as co-chairs of the 2018 summit.

The 2018 GWS will be held at the Technogym Village, a 37-care complex and the headquarters of the global fitness brand, in the city of Cesena in northern Italy on October 6-8.

Susie Ellis, chairman and chief executive of the GWS, said:

“I’m grateful for the talents and expertise that both Tony and Mia will bring to curating an agenda that not only furthers conversations on the big business of wellness, but also embraces the heart and soul of Italy’s lifestyle, including its art, fashion and food."

As well as formerly heading up Fitness First Australia, Tony de Leede’s wellness industry experience comprises ownership of the award-winning Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in Australia.

Wellness entrepreneur de Leede, who is also a GWS board member, additionally owns a range of other wellness and hospitality businesses, including the surf and wellness-focused Hotel Komune resorts.

De Leede said: “The Global Wellness Summit is attended by the top wellness companies, investors, researchers, and policy-makers in the world.

“It’s an honour to be a part of an event that facilitates deep cooperation among this group, and, encourages relationships that end up shaping the business of wellness for years to come.”

Mia Kyricos, is founder and chief executive of wellness consultancy Kyricos & Associates. 

With more than 25 years’ in the industry, Kyricos’s extensive wellbeing experience includes previous roles as chief brand officer of Spafinder Wellness.

Kyricos, who has been on the GWS board for the past five years, was previously also global director of spa brands for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and vice president of Exos, among other roles.

She currently chairs the Global Wellness Institute’s Wellness Communities Initiative, among other responsibilities.

Kyricos commented: “I’m honoured to have been asked to co-chair this year’s event. And I’m particularly thrilled to do so at the global headquarters of Technogym in Italy.

"A great setting for our delegates to discover more insights into the sectors that make up today’s global wellness economy, including beauty, travel, spa, real estate, nutrition, medicine, the environment and, of course, fitness.”