Monaco

The Exhibition and conference
On January, 21-23st in Grimaldi Forum, surrounded with a fine Japanese garden, the Second has passed European Spa exhibition. In the action program, besides actually exhibition, - conference, master classes and competition European Spa Awards. Even from such short description, it is obvious that European Spa exhibition - sister-twin of ours Russian Spa Industry Summit, therefore I could not be kept from constant comparisons. By the way, it is a rare occurence when the Russian project is not copied with western, and is faster on the contrary - our summit is earlier, this year it will be already spent to the third time.
The exhibition total area has made 4500 sq.m. In it have taken part more than 80 companies. About 20 lecturers conferences have addressed to. Many stands pleased with non-standard building and registration. Some stands represented not one company, and have been united by the general idea, and within the limits of this concept were together exposed: for example, cosmetic firm, design bureau and the supplier of the equipment. And for Spa - it is very healthy tendency, after all wellnes and spas offer not simply óõîäû and procedures, and a way of life, and it is impossible to divide its components on main and minor - all is important.
Practically at all stands it was possible to meet heads of the companies and to discuss with them prospects of development of the industry in 2006, and also to learn about their plans. Here any more for the first time, visiting a foreign specialised exhibition, I notice, how it is not enough in it participates the Russian companies and experts. There is no saying, why so occurs. Whether banal ignorance of a foreign language - and from here impossibility to listen to reports of conference and to communicate with colleagues from other countries. Whether unreasonable self-confidence and knowledge of the way of development - and from here limitation. Surprisingly: on similar actions there come experts from every corner of the globe, many of them in business for 10-15 years, and nevertheless they leave therefrom with luggage of new knowledge and new ideas, not to mention new business contacts. In Russia where Spa in embryo, for some reason very much the few consider it necessary to exchange experience with foreign colleagues. Probably, therefore also are compelled sometimes «to invent a bicycle» or «to attack a rake».
What to tell about an exhibition? It has a European and national colour, it, certainly, is professional, therefore on it will see owners of hotels and other objects, than private cosmeticians more likely. But defects of organizers especially at conference, are very appreciable. For example, there were no accurate formulations that of reports - and many lecturers instead of continuing and developing a theme, partially or completely duplicated previous performances. Certainly, were on conferences and "stars". Ingo Schweder, (Mandarin oriental - Hong Kong) has given known Spa GURU the brilliant report on "the sensual" party of our business, besides, in its performance there was many data about new directions.
D. Hegberg has prepared the report on financial planning. By the way, it has accepted our invitation and will be the visitor on Russian Spa Industry Summit 2006. In Monaco try to register spa association, and it again very much reminds ours history too. But if we at the Guild organisation had accurate ideas and understanding, what for we do it, in Monaco it is all while at level «it is necessary to unite all» - but as who it will do, not clearly. In any case, we wish our colleagues and partners of successes.


Awards
In Awards jury there were 7 persons, basically representatives of the press of Italy, Germany, France.
Nominations and winners:

Best Spa Company or Spa hotel Chain - Mandarin Oriental (Hong Kong)
Best Spa in Europe (Hotels) - The Meridien Limassol Spa & resort (Cyprus)
Best Design in Spa - Terme Vals (Switzerland)
Best Spa Cosmetic Product - Comfort Zone (Italy), E'SPA (United Kingdom)
Best Spa Treatments (Hotels in Europe) - Thermes Marins de Monte Carlo (Monaco)
Best Resort Spa - les Sources de Caudalie (France)
Best Destination Spa - Capri Palace Hotel&Spa (Italy)
Best Medical Spa - Clinique La Prairie (Switzerland)
Best Spa Equipment product - «La Grotte des Neiges» Klafs (Germany); SHA (Austria)

Rewarding passed in magnificent hall Hotel de Paris. Names of winners to us declared on the fourth reception hours when visitors have got tired also anything, except desire to leave somewhat quicker, on their persons any more was not read. Organizers have not created conditions for dialogue of visitors, therefore visitors have been given to themselves.
Should notice that we for competition Russian Spa Professional Awards think out every year a new prize. On European Spa Awards two years the prize in the form of a glass drop is successively handed over, this year its colour - with blue on red has only changed.

Plans for the future
Next year management of project European Spa Exhibition passes to professionals of exhibition activity - companies SoGeCos spa (Italy). This company is known for the organisation of exhibitions Cosmoprof in Italy, America, Russia, Brazil, China. The exhibition becomes more, its international status predetermines the big prospects of development. I hope, the National guild of experts of Spa will have confidential partner relations with exhibition organising committee.
Despite obvious defects of organizers, productivity of a trip on this exhibition much more above, than on other similar. Unfortunately, this year because of organizers we had to cancel an official group trip of liverymen, and we have not received possibility to present to the full the interests. But we have got acquainted with many gurus of the industry, have shown computer presentation about our work, have presented magazine and the book. Soon in one of the French magazines there will be our material about Spa in Russia - and it too result of dialogue within the limits of an exhibition, the next contact.

Spa Monaco