Spa Emphasis Conference 2004

ABOUT OUR PRESENTERS

DAY ONE KEYNOTE: Mr Andrew Jones, Guardian: Sanctuary Resorts (The Bale [Indonesia], Shinta Mani [Cambodia], La Flora, The Racha [Thailand] and Hotel de la Paix [Siem Reap, Cambodia])

Andrew is a veteran in the hospitality industry and as grounded as a seasoned hotelier should be. His thirty years in the hotel business included management positions at the Westin, Shangri-La and Marco Polo.

Ms Julie Garrow, Founding Director: Intelligent Spas Pte Ltd (Singapore)

Julie is founding director of Intelligent Spas. She graduated with a Bachelor of Business specialising in Tourism, Management and Marketing and has over a decade of experience in hospitality and leisure research. Prior to establishing Intelligent Spas, she represented major organisations such as KPMG (Melbourne), Southern Pacific Hotels (Sydney) and most recently PricewaterhouseCoopers (Singapore). Julie now focuses specifically on spa industry research. She designed and implemented the Spa Industry Survey Program across Asia Pacific and is author of Spa Policies and Procedures and Spa Integration. Julie is also regularly printed in reputable trade magazines, including Spa Australasia, HOTEL Asia Pacific, Health & Beauty Salon UK, Skin Inc. USA and Spa Management Journal.

Ms Fiona McAlister: International Spa Consultant - Spa Creations Consultancy (Asia)

Fiona has over 15 years experience in hotel management and operations, working with international hotel chains, Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons, JW Marriott and Marriott Hotel Resorts & Suites, holding positions of Director of Health Club & Spa Facilities, Front Office Manager, Concierge Services Manager and Guest Relations Manager.

The last 6 years has been dedicated to the development of the Spa Industry within the hotel environment. Setting up and operating health clubs and spas in Thailand, Australia, Philippines, China, Singapore and most recently Indonesia. Job responsibilities during this time include market research and analysis, branding and positioning, budget preparations and forecasts, spa concept design and development, marketing material and promotion, treatment, equipment and product selection, recruitment and training. Since being immersed in the diversity of Asian culture and traditions. Fiona is well versed on the unification of the East and the West to the spa industry. Also being able to successfully merge the expectations of service standards from hotels with beliefs and philosophies of the spa pursuit - a true synergy that is required to achieve an enchanting experience. In her role as Spa Consultant Fiona is responsible in the assistance of consulting on new projects and operations, set-up, marketing and business development opportunities. Currently, she is consulting and advising to Martina Berto (Martha Tilaar Spas, Indonesia) in the restructuring and rebranding of the spa division.

Mr Hans Brouwer, Founder & Architect: HB Design Consultants (Singapore)

Hans was born in Hong Kong where he lived til he was 11 yrs-old and was sent to boarding school in Switzerland where he completed his Matura (equivalent to A-levels) in Davos and then entered the first year of the architecture programme at the ETH (Federal Technical Institute) in Zurich. After his first year at the ETH, Hans transferred to the architecture school of the University of Southern California (USC). For his 4th year, he joined the Syracuse Architecture Programme in Florence, Italy. During this time, he participated in the Venice Biannale design competition. His proposal to span the Grand Canal with a glass bridge, was one of the few of the many submitted from all over the world to be selected and displayed at the exhibition during the summer of 1985 and featured in the book that accompanied the exhibit. Hans graduated from USC at the top of his class in 1986. Following this, he started work in London, where after 6 months in the firm of John Harris Architects he joined Foster Associates. He was made an associate of the firm within a year and a half and sent to Tokyo in August 1988 to establish the design office there. The Century Towers introduced many innovations in design and incorporated the latest in high-rise technology. For the first time in Japan, an open atrium was made possible through the development and introduction of a number of innovative fire-fighting systems. The Kawana Houses, situated on a cliff overlooking the ocean, are a re-interpretation of traditional Japanese designs with modern materials and systems. Both projects have been commemorated in hardback publications. End 1992, he was made a project director and sent to Frankfurt, Germany, to set up the design office responsible for the new headquarters tower for the Commerzbank. During that year, he and team of up to 60 finalised all aspects of the design and prepared all the tender documentation. This project has redefined high-rise design with the introduction of sky-gardens and by embracing the issue of energy efficiency. Many innovative ideas, from a new triple-glazed cladding system and openable windows, to chilled water cooling systems and de-centralised environment controls, have been developed specifically for this project.

Following Frankfurt, Hans returned to London where he was responsible for a number of projects, most notably the competition entry for the Second Bangkok International Airport. In this scheme, he was responsible for developing a new air-conditioning system utilising a new "scrubbing" technique and natural gravity in order to dispense with conventional air-handling units and fans. During the latter half of that year he developed the design for a new commercial complex in the heart of Leads in northern England. This project marks the first time in the UK, when a commercial developer (British Land) was convinced to introduce natural ventilation into a speculative office development. Following his time at Fosters, Hans has moved back to Asia where he has established his own firm. HB Design now operates in Singapore where they have been involved in numerous projects in the region.

Mr Richard Williams, Director: Six Degrees Consulting & Remedial Therapies (Asia)
Co-Founder: Whatever - The Yoga & Healing Space (Singapore)
Foundation Member: Australian Spa Association (Australia)

Richard has over 19 years experience in the 5-Star Hospitality Industry, from fine dining restaurants in New Zealand and overseas, to destination resorts in the Great Barrier Reef to boutique hotel restaurants and venues in London. With 10 years in the wellness industry, Richard started as a massage therapist in Australia, qualified in sports & remedial massage, aromatherapy, myo-fascial release and pre & post natal massage and moved into Day Spas with Hepburn Day Spa, Melbourne. He has since worked in the Day Spa industry as a senior therapist, operations assistant, chief trainer and consultant as well as conducting wellness workshops and talks, both in Australia and Singapore. Recently in Singapore Richard has been involved in the set-up, operations and coordination of a holistic health business; Whatever...The Yoga & Healing Space and Whatever...The Bookstore & Cafe, for yoga, workshops, massage & healing, new age books and planet friendly foods. He has a deep interest in holistic therapies and is certified through the Chopra Center in La Jolla, California to instruct in Primordial Sound Meditation and is also certified in various other forms of energetic, healing techniques.

Richard has written for various Spa and industry publications in Singapore, Australia, U.S and Indonesia and has appeared on health programs in local television. He last spoke at the ASPA, conference in Coolum, Australia on trends in the male spa industry and offers day spa consulting with spa set-up & training; from hydrotherapy, protocols, treatments and service to conceptual and branding advice and recruitment. Passionate about holistic therapies, Richard is available for treatments by appointment at Whatever... The Yoga & Healing Space, Chinatown, Singapore and offers spa consulting services through his own company Six Degrees Consulting.

Mr Eric Lee, Lead Consultant: Spa Consultants (Asia-Pac)
Principal Trainer: Body Harmonics (Singapore)
Spa Director: Private Space - The Holistic Men’s Spa (Singapore)

Eric has been training and practicing actively in numerous massage therapies for more than a decade. His vast experience in the industry includes massage therapy, spa operation and management, spa design and layout, price strategy and spa marketing and branding. Being the Principal Trainer of Body Harmonics, an academy of complementary therapy, Eric trains, lectures and conducts workshops regionally in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand on a regular basis to a spectrum of students including massage therapy trainees as well as spa entrepreneurs, his specialties include spa protocols, spa concepts and business basics as well as spa operation and management. As Lead Consultant of Spa Consultants, Eric heads a team of consultants in regional spa consulting for clients in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia as well as Singapore.

Ms Clymene Foo, Trainer - Lifestyle Division: LuxAsia Pte Ltd (Asia)

Clymene is a Trainer with the Lifestyle Divison of Luxasia, part of the Luxasia group. Over her 14 years of experience in the spa industry, Clymene has trained experienced therapists and undergraduates, as well as designing and improving treatment protocols for new spas and franchisees in Singapore as well as overseas. Her vast working experiences in countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Italy and Germany has allowed her to build a wealth of experience and know-how in various therapies, spa trends and understanding consumer preferences. Clymene holds various certificates such as the IFA certified diploma in Holistic Aromatherapy, Advanced Holistic Aromatherapy diploma by Irma Gol, CIBTAC Diploma, Professional Makeup Diploma & Spa Therapy diploma.

Luxasia Group is the leading distributor of renowned global fragrance and cosmetic brands in Asia. Formed in 1986 in Singapore, the company has grown into a regional business, employing almost 800 staff in 9 countries, namely Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China and India. The regional headquarters is Singapore and houses the total operations under one roof at its own Luxasia Builidng. The Singapore office is the nerve centre for the Group's marketing and distribution activities, serving as the warehousing and support hub to all the other affliates in the region.

was recently nominated as Best Day Spa in SpaAsia Magazine's Crystal Awards Poll

Christina is the founder and Managing Director of Earth Sanctuary and the Bodywork Training Institute. She is also the creator of Healing Hut and Devahiti, businesses managed by Earth Sanctuary Pte Ltd. She has a Diploma in Aromatherapy (UK) and is a member of the International Federation of Aromatherapists (UK). She is a former student of Harold Dull and a Certified Watsu practitioner (USA) and also a Certified Infant Massage Instructor (Australia). She had studied Hawaiian Ancient "Temple" Style Lomi Lomi Massage also known as Kahuna Bodywork, and "Kahi Loa" Shamanic Massage with Susan Painiu Floyd and has also been trained under Serge Kahili King on Hawaiian Shamanism and the Huna Philosophy (Hawaii). She was educated and trained in USA, Australia and Asia qualifying in several healing therapies - Shiatsu, Ayurveda, Aboriginal Therapies, Thai Yoga Massage, Sports Massage, Trager, Reiki I, Reflexology, Chi Nei Tsang. Christina is a certified professional massage therapist and Ka Huna practitioner as well as having full professional qualifications and experience in training. She is an experienced, loving and excellent bodyworker. Christina has a lifetime study of research into the cultural and spiritual properties of indigenous healing traditions. She has found great passion in spreading the Huna philosophy and Aloha Spirit with whom she connects. Her passion for people's physical, emotional, social and spiritual health led her into developing Earth Sanctuary (2002), Bodywork Training Institute (2003) and Healing Hut (2004) for holistic healing therapies. Christina's background is impressive, prior to setting up Earth Sanctuary Pte Ltd, beginning with her graduation from National University of Singapore, where she graduated with a degree in Computer Science and Information Systems, she had spent several years with Toshiba and later in Nokia where she had over 10 years of regional experience in sales & marketing, channel management, product development & lifecycle management, project management and business development.

Mr Tarquin Yue, Director - Business Strategy:OIG International (Singapore)

Tarquin is Director, Business Strategy of OIG International. Based in Singapore, he is responsible for the overall marketing and business development strategies for clients at OIG International and its affiliates, in both local and international markets. He is also responsible for ensuring OIG International actively seeks new partnerships and business opportunities with potential clients. Tarquin's experience is from the customer service industry, primarily from Food and Beverage, with retail operations management as the foundation of his 20-year career evolution.

Tarquin's portfolio of employers include Burger King, Swensen's Restaurants and Starbucks Coffee, the latter of which he was a founding member in the management team that set up the Singapore operations in late 1996. He was first identified as a key management trainer during his time in the F&B industry. In addition, he gained invaluable international customer service experience during his 5-year stint in Singapore Airlines. Through interaction with peoples from various nations and cultures, he was able to mature his customer service skills as well as define his beliefs in providing the finest service quality, which Singapore Airlines is renowned for. "There is no such thing as a bad customer… rather, it is the quality of the customer service we provide that defines the type of customers we acquire" Tarquin later became a key senior manager in retail operations in Singapore's 2nd largest mobile phone network, MobileOne Ltd. He successfully set-up and managed the largest M1Shop in the retail chain at Paragon SC, setting a one-day acquisition record of 800+ new subscribers on the first day of operations. During his service at MobileOne, Tarquin was identified as a project manager for M1Shop where he gained experience in conceptualising and executing various programs within retail operations. He was also co-chairman for the company Work Improvement Team committee. Tarquin was also groomed as a corporate trainer at MobileOne. As the leader of the retail operations training team, he was certified to manage and facilitate several accredited service quality courses, among them the OJT In-house program by ITE. "Only when we aspire to do better than what we have achieved, can we reach greater heights" Tarquin's last appointment before joining OIG International was as General Manager with Poh Kong Chye Jewellers, the oldest established goldsmiths in Singapore at 107 years. He was responsible for the overall management for the Poh Kong Chye Group of companies with 3 brands penetrating both the local and international markets. He is also involved in developing new business concepts for the group while maintaining its rich heritage in fine jewellery with innovative products and services. In his career with various organisations, Tarquin has attained several in-house & industry awards and is currently pursuing government accredited courses in Training Development and Marketing.

Ms Shauna Li Roolvink, Founder & Managing Director: BrandHub Pte Ltd (Singapore)

Shauna is founder and Managing Director of BrandHub, a brand consultancy dedicated to creating and building Leader Brands in Asia. She has over 10 years of experience in brand strategy, business strategy, market research, customer experience, and marketing strategy and planning in the Asia Pacific region.

Prior to setting up BrandHub, Shauna was the lead brand strategies for the re-branding of Singapore Inc., a project she took on as a freelance consultant at another brand consultancy. As Associate Director of Brand Strategy at Interbrand, Shauna founded and managed the first Brand Strategy practice in Asia. She created the Brand Strategy Blueprint for many leading Asian brands including Osim, StarHub and Brand's and also worked with multinational clients like Motorola, DuPont, GM in Greater China and the Asia-Pac region. Shauna honed her strategy development capabilities at A.T. Kearney where she managed diverse strategy engagements for clients such as GM, Deere, ARCO, Chugai Pharmaceutical and Pacific Dunlop throughout Asia Pacific. She started her career as an Account Executive at Leo Burnett with clients including P&G, Philip Morris, United Airlines, Chase and HP. Shauna is the creator and author of Brand Leadership Matrix™ - a framework to analyze brand lifecycle and investment strategies. She contributes brand related articles regularly to The Edge Magazine as well as other leading business and marketing journals in Asia. She is also a frequent speaker at branding and marketing conferences. She obtained her MBA from the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA and a BS in Business Administration from USC..