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Global Wellness Summit Announces Prominent Co-Chairs from Asia to Curate 13th Annual Conference – First to be Held in Hong Kong
Gathering of global leaders in $4.5 trillion wellness economy will be co-chaired by Catherine Feliciano-Chon, founder and managing director of Hong Kong-based CatchOn & Co., and Yoriko Soma, president and CEO of Japan-based Conceptasia
Miami, FL – January 14, 2019 – The Global Wellness Summit (GWS), the foremost gathering of international leaders in the $4.5 trillion global wellness economy, today named Catherine Feliciano-Chon, a leading brand development and communications expert with offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai, and Tokyo-based spa/wellness investor and entrepreneur Yoriko Soma to co-chair the leading conference on the business of wellness. The Summit returns to Asia for the third time in its 13-year history and will take place at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong from October 15–17, 2019.
“Hong Kong is a vibrant, exciting, business-centric destination, offering a gateway to the Asian marketplace, and we are thrilled to be bringing the Summit here,” said Nancy Davis, chief creative officer and executive director of the GWS. “From the world-class hospitality of the renowned Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, to top-rated local restaurants led by some of the world’s best young chefs, to the unique wellness scene in this exciting city, GWS delegates are in for an immersive experience of ancient culture and modern innovation that is the hallmark of Hong Kong.”
According to the Global Wellness Institute’s recently released 2018 Global Wellness Economy Monitor, Asia is the biggest growth leader in key wellness markets. The region lays claim to being the fastest-growing wellness tourism market in the world, with China and India ranking first and second in growth worldwide. In addition, Asia boasts the largest number of spas and thermal/mineral springs in the world and has a fast-growing wellness real estate market.
“Having the Summit in Hong Kong underscores Asia’s importance to the wellness economy,” said Feliciano-Chon, a GWS advisory board member. “With China at our doorstep, Hong Kong bridges East and West, the ancient and modern, and sits at the crossroads of many industries shaping the business of wellness. It’s an honor to be part of the leadership team for the GWS 2019.”
Feliciano-Chon founded CatchOn, a strategic marketing communications consultancy with offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai in 2001. Under her direction, the agency has become known for its insights on the Asian consumer and has developed significant industry resources and trend studies, including the “China Spa Consumer Study”; the annual “Future of Food” report; “10+10 Made In China”; and “Raise The Red Lantern or Fly The White Flag: Understanding and Embracing Chinese Travellers.”
Tokyo-based Soma is also a GWS advisory board member and runs a major investment fund for Asian spa and wellness businesses. She began her career at the Boston Consulting Group in Hong Kong, focusing on the luxury consumer market and has participated in multiple resort, destination and day spa projects in Asia.
“Corporate success is built on collaboration, and that is exactly what the Global Wellness Summit, with its tagline ‘Joining together. Shaping the future.’ prides itself in fostering,” said Soma. “I’m excited to be part of the team that will help the GWS delegates uncover insights and opportunities in the Asian wellness economy and help them better understand Asian culture and the best way to approach business in this exploding market.”
Adds Davis, “We are already deep into the planning of this event, from a soul-stirring opening ceremony, to keynote speakers who will extensively explore the business that is bursting at the seams, to the networking that is the hallmark of every Summit. This is going to be an event rich in content and experiences, and we’re thrilled to have Cathy and Yoriko as part of the team curating the 2019 agenda.”
The Global Wellness Summit is always a sold-out event. First-time delegates must apply to attend, while previous delegates and invitees who register prior to February 28, 2019, can take advantage of a preferred registration rate.
About the Global Wellness Summit: The Global Wellness Summit is an invitation-only international gathering that brings together leaders and visionaries to positively shape the future of the $4.5 trillion global wellness economy. Held in a different location each year, Summits have taken place in the US, Switzerland, Turkey, Bali, India, Morocco, Mexico, Austria and Italy. The 13th annual Summit will be held at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong from October 15–17, 2019.
