4 Events for the Wellness & Spa Industry That Keep You Connected to Evolving Global Trends

The spa and wellness market continues its growth trajectory in no small part to the full embrace of younger generations of the concept of self-care and pampering. Spa and wellness centres offer a lot of additional services, and wellbeing destinations have always been a big hit since for most customers, wellness and medical tourism go hand in hand.

The pandemic has certainly changed a lot in recent years. Right now, the spa industry will have to deal with the incredible pressures put on customers’ mental health due to social distancing, stress regarding the labour market and the constant digital connectivity. The mental health epidemic is here so spas and wellness centres have to address this in what they offer, because millennials and the generations following them look not just for physical relief, but also mindfulness and peace away from a demanding lifestyle.

Of course, we can’t talk about evolving trends without mentioning artificial intelligence and how it already changes the landscape as we speak. AI sub-products have become widely available such as fitness and body scanning machines and connected devices that allow the identification of many physical conditions. Connected health and monitoring are extensions of personalised medicine and the end goal is to create curated, highly specific experiences that maximise a visitor’s satisfaction.

We’ve selected four exceptional events based in Europe, which take on these trends and function as optimal meeting grounds for exhibitors and buyers.

Piscine Global Europe operates out of Lyon, France and every two years brings visitors the latest and best in building and design of swimming pools. The swimming pool remains one of core pillars of the spa industry and the exhibition delivers the entire value chain – pool construction, pool equipment and spa equipment. The exhibition targets the needs of hotel chains, fitness centres and spa centres.

One of the more interesting features of the event is the special Jobs & Careers area aimed at those companies on the lookout for new talent. If you’re looking to recruit, this is where you can meet potential employees. Institutional organisations and training centres provide ample assistance and advice, and trainees and job seekers can sign up for workshops on practical topics related to employment and training.

In Cologne, Germany, you have no better place to be than aquanale. The product offer is wide as it services the sauna, pool and ambience sectors. It’s a rather small event, which gives you a chance to stand out and still reach a global audience. The exhibition space is dedicated to biofilters, control systems, faucets, filter systems, infrared cabins, pool enclosures, pool facilities, pools, jacuzzi, landscaping, lighting, massage chairs, saunas, solar lighting systems, showers, water attractions.
You definitely don’t want to miss the International Swimming Pool and Wellness Forum, which runs across all four days and maintains a roster of top-tier speakers. The Forum looks into the best practices, sustainability and digitalization, technology & law, and the EU Biocide Regulation in practice.

Another important trade fair based in Germany is interbad, which is held in Stuttgart, Germany. The event covers a similar product portfolio with a little more focus on spa and wellness products and equipment. Experience the full breadth of sauna equipment, anti-aging treatments, fitness equipment, healing methods, massage, massage tables, medical treatments, accessories for medical baths and bathroom design. There’s a lot of appeal for the hospitality industry as a whole and the trade visitors are usually upscale in nature.

Last on our list is Rimini Wellness in Rimini, Italy. Of course, we had to include an exhibition in the South of Europe, because no one else understands how to do wellness properly than countries on the Mediterranean Sea. Rimini Wellness looks at the wellness industry in a more comprehensive way with thematic zones not just for spa and pools, but nutrition, fitness training and rehabilitation, because overall wellbeing concerns every single part of the human body.