Attended by top spa, hospitality, and wellness executives from around the world, this year's invitation-only Summit is expected to attract a record number of delegates, representing 40 different countries.

GSS is the only global industry event where visionaries in spa and related industries come together in a think-tank environment to exchange ideas, collaborate, and strategize to expand the relevance of spas and wellness in people's lives, and to ensure the industry's ongoing growth.

With core spa industry revenues topping $60 billion, and $225 billion-plus across the spa-related hospitality, tourism, and real estate sectors, the spa industry has established itself as a major contributor to the broader global economy. According to Pete Ellis, chairman of the Global Spa Summit board of directors, "The industry is growing because personal health is one of the biggest issues for people worldwide. And as the spa industry has expanded its focus, it's become an 'umbrella' sector, encompassing a wide range of establishments devoted to helping people from New York to Beijing make healthy lifestyle changes—whether through fitness, nutrition, or stress reduction."

The GSS has become known for its wide range of prestigious speakers, industry panels, and collaborative meetings—and for unveiling (and making available to delegates) the industry's most comprehensive research, in partnership with the world's top research firms and analysts. Past popular speakers include Dr. Adolf Ogi, former president of Switzerland; Steve Case, CEO, Revolution Health; Dr. Richard Carmona, surgeon general; Ian Schrager, famed American hotelier and real estate developer; and Reto Wittwer, CEO of Kempinski, among many others.

A variety of interactive sessions are slated for the 2010 Summit, including panel-led discussions, general forums, small-group breakout sessions and hosted dining, with the unique formats designed to engage attendees as speakers, panel members, and discussion leaders. The agenda reflects the areas of expertise of registrants and emerging issues of the moment, ensuring dynamic discussions that incubate new, timely ideas and initiatives. The popular "Student Strategy" challenge, unveiled in 2009, will return in 2010 with a twist: Top students from the University of Southern California's School of Architecture will square off against students from the Istanbul Technical University's Department of Architecture in the "Spa of the Future" challenge which will showcase unique spa designs.

Optional pre- and post-Summit opportunities will include visits to Istanbul's historic sites, including the Topkapi Palace Harem, experiencing one of Istanbul's historic hammams, and excursions to other landmark Turkish spas and medical tourism destinations.