About 80 people gathered in Phoenix, Arizona, US last week for the first annual Arizona Spa & Wellness Conference, held at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa.

The attendees included vendors, suppliers, operators, spa directors, consultants, and global spa programme directors. The focus of the conference is to accelerate and support Arizona’s spa and wellness market, but attendees came from all over the country, said Mia Mackman, founder of the Arizona Spa and Wellness Association and organiser of the event.

“Merging spa and wellness information in this way is at the heart of why I started the organisation in 2012,” Mackman told Spa Opportunities. “This conference setting provided a unique platform in which people could learn, share and increase their knowledge as an industry whole.”

The one-day conference featured 13 speakers in 15- to 20-minute intervals, which Mackman described as “a TED vibe for the spa tribe.” Two guest speakers – including keynote Steven Ross, founder of the World Research Foundation – spoke for 45 minutes.

Following a full day of educational presentations, the event featured a networking reception and vendor showcase.

Mackman said she was struck by the energy of the conference, and the willingness of people to try something new. “It was impressive to see everyone support one another, and see the spirit of the industry come alive in a different way,” she said.

Mackman is already planning a second Arizona Spa & Wellness Conference, set to take place in May 2018.