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‘Shark Tank of Wellness’ Will Debut
at 2016 Global Wellness Summit
Students compete in front of live audience and panel of ‘wellness sharks’ for most innovative wellness concept of the future; $10,000 in prize money awarded to top three finalists during conference in Tyrol, Austria (Oct 17-19)
Miami, FL – April 6, 2016 – The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) today announced submissions are now being accepted for its first-ever “Shark Tank of Wellness.” This new, more inclusive, global-format Student Competition debuts at the 10th annual Summit in Kitzbühel, Tyrol, Austria (October 17-19).
The contest is open to university students (3rd year undergrads and above) around the world. Students are invited to submit a written application along with a short video highlighting an innovative, viable concept, product or service for the wellness industry – whether new technology, a new hospitality/retreat concept, a fitness device, etc. The top three finalists, chosen by a panel of “wellness sharks,” will be flown to Austria, along with their professors, to compete for $10,000 in prize money (1st prize $5,000; 2nd prize $3,000; 3rd prize $2,000).
The students will be judged on the business viability of their concept, and a panel of wellness experts will question the students on the main stage, in front of an audience of 450 delegates from over 50 countries. These delegates are business and thought leaders in the global wellness arena.
The “wellness sharks” are expected to include executives from Chiva-Som, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, KLAFs, ResortSuite and others from the multi-sector wellness industry. Entries will be judged on how their concepts could positively impact the future of wellness within a wide range of industries, including architecture/design, technology, beauty, education, fitness, hospitality and travel, medicine, nutrition, real estate or spa.
“Since 2009, the Global Wellness Summit Student Competition has limited submissions to universities within geographic proximity to the Summit. This year, in honor of our tenth anniversary, we’re dramatically expanding its scope: it’s not only open to the wide world of college students, but they can submit ‘great new ideas’ for any wellness sector – from technology to tourism. I can’t wait to see the submissions and the creative energy that will be on display as the finalists present at the Summit,” said Susie Ellis GWS Chairman and CEO. “The future of ‘wellness’ is in the hands of the next generation and it will be exciting to see where they think our industry is headed.”
“Cultivating a passion for wellness is something ResortSuite feels strongly about, and supporting the creativity of the next generation of wellness entrepreneurs is extremely important for our industry. I’m thankful to the Summit for giving these students a platform to express their concepts,” said Frank Pitsikalis, founder and CEO of returning sponsor ResortSuite.
Individuals and teams are eligible to submit their innovative idea now through August 1, 2016. The full rules and regulations can be found on the Global Wellness Summit website here. There is no fee to enter. In addition to the prize money, all three finalists will receive access to the three-day conference (a USD $2,650 value), including all general sessions, breakout discussions and industry forums, as well as their airfare and hotel accommodations (limit one student and one professor per team).
The Global Wellness Summit attracts leaders from every sector of the wellness industry: spa, education, tourism, beauty, fitness, nutrition, finance, environment, medicine, architecture, workplace wellness, wellness communities and technology.
For information about attending, click here. For sponsorship, contact Michelle Gamble.
To learn more about the 2016 Global Wellness Summit, click here.
About the Global Wellness Summit: The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) is an invitation-only international gathering that brings together leaders and visionaries to positively shape the future of the $3.4 trillion global wellness industry. Held in a different location each year, the Summit attracts delegates from all over the world. Summits have taken place in the U.S., Switzerland, Turkey, Bali, India, Morocco and Mexico City. The 2016 Summit will be held in Kitzbühel, Tyrol, Austria from October 17-19.
