Networking, knowledge-sharing and innovating were the order of the day as the World Spa & Wellness Convention returned to ExCeL London on March 2–4. This year, the event ran across three days with intimate workshops and a private dinner for guests on Saturday, followed by a packed two-day programme on Sunday and Monday. Standout sessions included a panel on unlocking the secrets to talent retention, and effective hiring strategies, with Michael Newcombe, global vice president – wellness at Four Seasons, and Teresa O’Farrell, global head of wellness and spa at The Dorchester Collection.
Newcombe shared how Four Seasons founder Isadore Sharp still hosts and speaks and does the first dance at the general managers’ conference. “Be the tone. Be the leader, be the emotional connect to your business, is my advice,” he said. “Your values have to come through the employees’ behaviour. Ours happens to be a golden rule: treat others as you wish to be treated yourself.”
O’Farrell shared details of The Dorchester Collection’s Employee Emotional Needs course, designed to drive engagement, “because we know if a team member is engaged, they’re going to be more motivated to work.”