Les Nouvelles Esthétiques International, headquartered in Paris, has been a leading force in the spa and wellness industry since its first publication in 1952. From its humble beginnings as a magazine, it has expanded its reach to 21 countries, continuously offering industry professionals cutting-edge content, research, and industry updates. The brand’s commitment to elevating the wellness industry through education and innovation has led to the development of a wide array of events, conferences, and awards, establishing Les Nouvelles Esthétiques as a trusted name in the field. The Les Nouvelles Esthétiques Spa Conference has played a pivotal role in advancing the spa industry by providing an international platform for spa professionals to learn, grow, and connect. Over the years, the conference has brought together experts from around the globe to share their knowledge on a variety of critical topics, including marketing, operational efficiency, wellness trends, and technology. It’s not just an event, but an experience designed to inspire and empower spa owners, managers, and practitioners to elevate their businesses while staying true to the wellness values that drive the industry. As the 20th anniversary approaches, the Les Nouvelles Esthétiques Spa Conference promises to be an unforgettable event that continues to shape the future of the wellness and spa industry.

Theme: The Business of Wellness

The theme “The Business of Wellness” highlights the crucial intersection of wellness practices and business strategy in today’s rapidly growing wellness industry. Spa businesses are facing increasing pressure to not only deliver exceptional treatments but to also operate efficiently and profitably. This conference offers an invaluable opportunity to explore how businesses can align their services with the evolving needs of modern consumers, who prioritize holistic experiences that focus on mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Key topics will include marketing wellness, creating personalized customer experiences, enhancing customer loyalty, and utilizing emerging technologies such as AI, wellness apps, and virtual wellness consultations. Attendees will also delve into the importance of staff engagement. Through expert speakers and interactive panel discussions, the conference will provide actionable insights on growing your spa business while staying true to the wellness principles that attract today’s conscientious consumers. This event is designed to inspire spa professionals to elevate their offerings and strengthen the long-term sustainability of their businesses in an increasingly competitive market.

SA SPA ASSOCIATION MEMBERS: SPA CONFERENCE COSTS PER DELEGATE

2 Day Conference & Gala Dinner R3900.00

2 Day Conference R3450.00

1 Day Conference R1850.00

Spa Awards Gala Dinner R700.00

SPA CONFERENCE COSTS PER DELEGATE

2 Day Conference & Gala Dinner R4200.00

2 Day Conference R3750.00

1 Day Conference R2050.00

Spa Awards Gala Dinner R700.00

Sunday, 22nd June 2025

 

8.30 – 9.30               Registration

 

9.30 – 9.45               Welcome  – Dr Nadine de Freitas (Managing Editor – Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa)

9.45 – 10.30              Let’s Get Serious About Wellness – Steve Uria (Global Fitness Innovator and Wellness Consultant)
Wellness has outgrown candles and calm playlists. It’s now a global movement—and a multi-trillion-dollar industry—reshaping how we live, work, and do business. This powerful opening session challenges leaders to stop selling serenity and start building businesses in the wellness space. From ethics to economics, we’ll explore what it really means to take wellness seriously. Because if wellness is the future, it’s time we lead like it: with intention, innovation, and unapologetic impact

10.30 – 11.00            Investment Opportunities in the Wellness Tourism Industry: A South African Context – Seipati Kubheka (Trade and Investment Promotions | Brand Management | Founder of Oyana Spa)
Wellness tourism is no longer a luxury—it’s a fast-growing global industry with massive potential for South Africa. This session explores how strategic investment and cross-sector collaboration can elevate wellness tourism from a niche offering to a billion-rand contributor to the national economy. Learn how building a sustainable wellness value chain can create jobs, empower communities, and position South Africa as a global wellness destination.

11.00 – 11.30              Mid Morning Break

 

11.30  – 12.00            Trends or Transformation? What’s Really Shaping the Future of Wellness – Mimmie Lancaster (Founder and MD: The Wellness Collaborative)
Wellness is booming—but not every trend is built to last. How much do trends really matter when it comes to driving innovation, shifting consumer expectations, and influencing long-term business strategy? This session explores the difference between fleeting fads and meaningful movements. Join us for a candid conversation about what’s truly shaping the future of wellness—and what might just be passing hype

12.00 – 12.40 Confidence in Communication – Rene Moodley (Founder: River Wild Consulting
At the heart of every successful business lies the secret engine that we often forget to acknowledge – CONNECTION. When we communicate with confidence, warmth and clarity, we have the power, not only to create unforgettable experiences but to transform an entire journey. This topic begs the question: Have we become so reliant on social media marketing, digital technology and AI that we are silently hiding behind it, at the risk of losing our real voices in the process

12.40 – 13.00          Operational Wellness: The System behind the Service – Cecilia Grobler
(Head of Franchising – The Laser Beautique)

A thriving spa or aesthetic clinic relies on a strong operational foundation. This session explores the systems, structures, and processes that drive consistent client experiences, sustainable growth, and long-term scalability. Topics include the role of daily checklists, standard operating procedures, strategic planning, and leadership development in building operational resilience. Attendees will gain practical tools to optimize performance, increase accountability, enhance team culture, and streamline client journeys—laying the groundwork for continued growth and potential franchise expansion.

 

13.00 – 14.00              Lunch
 

14.00 – 14.30         Presence is Profit: The Energetics of Service Driving Return, Retention, and Results – Almarie Venter (Founder – Remind Wellness)
In today’s evolving wellness landscape, therapists, spa owners, and managers must recognize that we’re not just delivering treatments—we’re offering energetic experiences that shape outcomes. This keynote explores the power of authentic presence through embodied practices like mindfulness, breathwork, sound healing, and conscious movement. As AI and technology expand, the irreplaceable value of human touch and heart-led service will only grow. This session invites us to rethink how we train, support, and empower wellness teams— emphasizing that the true future of wellness lies in the depth of our presence, not just the breadth of our offerings.

 

14.30 – 15.30          Tech vs. Touch: Is Technology Enhancing or Diluting the Wellness Experience? Panel Discussion: Miranda Forrester (Director & Executive Recruiter – MF Spa & Beauty Placements), Rohan Pretorius (Radiant Healthcare), Tammy Dent (Director of Training – Six Senses Spas), Chris Porter (Founder and CEO of Salvagente)
Robot massages, cryotherapy chambers, integrative therapies, AI tools—technology is rapidly redefining the spa experience. But are these innovations deepening wellness or distancing us from its human essence? This panel dives into the tension between cutting-edge convenience and emotional connection. Are we enhancing care or losing the soul of the service? Join leading voices as we explore where tech elevates healing—and where the human touch remains irreplaceable.

 

15.30 – 16.00           Building and Training Future-Ready Wellness Teams – Isabel Carstens-Roos (Managing Director – Isa Carstens Academ
In today’s wellness world, are we hiring for skill, spirit—or both? As client expectations evolve, so must our teams. This session explores how to attract talent aligned with your brand’s purpose and how to train them for what’s next—embracing future-focused development that empowers staff to grow, adapt, and lead. Because thriving teams don’t just serve wellness—they live it. 

Monday, 23rd June 2025

 

8.30 – 9.00       Registration

 

9.00 – 9.15                  Spa Awards Feedback  – Dr Nadine de Freitas (Managing Editor – Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa

 

9.15 – 10.00 Bali & Me ….. – Jacoline Wentzel (Founder & Managing Director – The Spa Warehouse)
We call ourselves wellness and luxury leaders. We preach luxurious wellness to our guests. But, do you and your team live what you are selling?
To be a successful leader and expert in our luxury wellness & spa industry , authenticity resonates deeply, especially when it comes to something as personal as well-being. In this industry, where guests seek transformation and elevated experiences, the credibility and integrity of those providing the services are paramount. In the luxury wellness and spa industry, it’s not enough to simply offer high-end treatments and amenities. To truly excel, leaders and experts must embody the principles of wellness in their own lives, creating a culture of authenticity that resonates with guests and elevates the entire experience. It’s hard to genuinely inspire and guide others on a path you haven’t walked yourself

 

10.00 – 10.45        Is Authenticity Overrated in Marketing—Or Is It the Only Thing That Matters Now? – Ian Hamilton Manley (Co-founder – Manley Communications Atelier)

In a world saturated with wellness buzzwords and curated calm, consumers are craving realness. But where’s the line between authentic storytelling and strategic branding? This session explores how brands can build trust without losing their voice—and whether authenticity is a differentiator, a necessity, or just the newest marketing myth

 

10.45 – 11.00           GWI African Initiative – Mariane Akwenye  (MD of the Nomad Group)

Africa, the cradle of humankind, holds a profound heritage of wellness rooted in its landscapes, traditions, and communities. The Africa Wellness Initiative (AWI), supported by the Global Wellness Institute, is dedicated to preserving and promoting Africa’s ancient healing knowledge. AWI empowers practitioners, strengthens institutions, and builds a global platform for African wellness. Driven by a team of trailblazing leaders, this initiative is reclaiming Africa’s rightful place as a global wellness leader—through celebration, collaboration, and a renewed sense of pride and purpose.

 

11.00  – 11.30              Mid Morning Tea Brea

 

11.30 – 12.15     How Wellness Weekends are Reshaping Spa Tourism –  Lorna Gourlay (Founder & Director – Platinum Marketing)
Wellness weekends are reshaping spa tourism in South Africa. These 2–3 day retreats blend rest, spa rituals, nourishing food, movement, and expert-led workshops to deliver true transformation. South Africa’s natural beauty and strong spa culture position it perfectly to lead this trend. This talk explores why these experiences are in demand, who they attract, and how to create retreats that are authentic, profitable, and unforgettable.

 

12.15 – 13.30        Beyond Treatments: Unlocking Hidden Revenue Streams in Spa Business – Panel Discussion: Toni Carroll (Supplement Sommelier | Biohacker and Owner – My Beauty Luv), Izelle Louw  (Founder and CEO of Mommy Wellness), Calvin Mentor (GM of MiFitness International), Steve Uria (Global Fitness Innovator and Wellness Consultant), Ayesha Rajah (Founder Urban Bliss Wellness Spa and CEO Beauty Warriors)
Spa menus may start with massages and facials, but real growth often lies beyond the treatment room. This session explores overlooked revenue opportunities—from memberships and retail to digital wellness offerings, brand partnerships, and lifestyle upsells. Discover how innovative spas are diversifying income, creating recurring revenue, and building resilient business models. If you’re only charging for services, you’re missing the bigger picture—and the bigger profits.

 

13.30 – 14.00          Lead the Shift – Dr Nadine de Freitas (Managing Editor – Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa)
Conferences don’t end—they echo. The real impact begins when insights are taken back to your spa, shared, and lived. This session invites you to pause, reflect, and lead with intention. How will today’s ideas shape your next team meeting, decisions, or conversation? The future of wellness depends not on what we know, but on how we choose to lead the shift.

 

14.00 – 16.00                        Lunch and Advanced Sponsor Engagement

 

16.00                                    Closing & Thank you 

THE PRESIDENT HOTEL – BANTRY BAY RATES

Classic Rooms Single R2035.00

Classic Rooms Double/Sharing R2335.00

Classic Mountain Single R2135.00

Classic Mountain Double/Sharing R2435.00

Studio Single R2235.00

Studio Double R2535.00

Classic Ocean Single R2535.00

Classic Ocean Double/Sharing R2835.00

Mountain Apartment R3635.00

Ocean Suite R4335.00

Signature Ocean Suite with Balcony R4635.00