The first edition of an industry event called the Africa Wellness Congress will take place between 13-14 October at the Es Saadi Marrakech Resort in Morocco.

The conference is being organised by HAB France and the theme will be “Pioneering investment and business in Africa’s Wellness Industry”.

The event is designed to unite investors, hotel and spa professionals, wellness experts, architects and policymakers to discuss and make plans for the continent’s future wellness industries.

The programme includes keynote speeches, panel discussions, pre-scheduled appointments with other attendees and the opportunity to network.

Specialists from a number of different fields in hospitality and wellness from locations including Africa, Europe and the US, will share their expertise. These speakers include:

• Hamid Bentahar, president, National Confederation of Tourism (Morocco)

• Kent Richards, founder, Wellness World Global and member of Africa Wellness Initiative (UK)• Mariane Akwenye, founder, Nomad Wellness and chair of Africa Wellness Initiative, (Namibia)

• Trevor Ward, partner, W Hospitality (Nigeria)• Patrick Saussay, founder, GPSA consulting company (France)

• Adel Koubaji, director, Vichy Thermalia Moulay Yacoub (Morocco)• Amy McDonald, founder, Under a Tree (USA)

• Asma El Mernissi, founder, Maison d’Asa (Morocco)• Walid El Mernissi, GM, Maison d’Asa (Morocco)

• Sarah Idhajoub, spa manager, Oberoi Marrakech (Morocco)• Fadhel Bouaziz, founder and president of Blanchisserie Bouaziz Sfax (Tunisia)

• Beth Gatonye, founder, Seeing Hands (Zimbabwe)• Caroline Bauchet-Bouhlal, group deputy general manager, Es Saadi Marrakech Resort (Morocco)

• Gil Amsallem, founder, AMS Formation (France)• Sophie Agullana, wellness project consultant (Switzerland)

• Grace Zichawo, founder, Elite School of Beauty (Zimbabwe)• Professor Jacques Houroupou Mbambai, founder, Maison du Bien-être (Tchad)

• Martin Goldmann, CEO, ASPA International (Portugal)• Rumbiey Muchenje, certified sleep and integrative health coach (Rwanda)

The event is being supported by the Global Wellness Institute’s Africa Wellness Initiative, the National Confederation of Tourism in Morocco, Luxe Radio and other industry stakeholders.

Tickets can now be purchased on the Congress’ website, here.

HAB France

HAB France is a publisher of French trade magazine Beauty Forum and its other events include the Medi Wellness Congress, Forum de l’Esthétique et du Spa and Beauty Business days.