With over 15 years experience in the spa industry worldwide, Susanne has gained knowledge and experience in all aspects of ‘spa’. From operations to training, customer service and sales.  

Susanne’s experience is both domestic and international, gaining her international experience at The Sanctuary in London’s Covent Garden, where she controlled all aspects of management within this large high profile spa incorporating, day to day operations, training, product and treatment development and marketing.    

Since returning to Australia Susanne has been successfully involved in the consultancy and operations of several large spa developments, including various projects with Hilton Hotels, pre-opening and management of one of Australia’s premier resort spas, the Rejuvenation Spa on Daydream Island. Having also worked as a training and sales manager at HydroCo she has an extensive knowledge of spa equipment and facilities.  

Susanne currently works with LI'TYA in the role of Spa Development Manager where she combines her extensive experience to support many aspects of the business, with her role focusing on the LI’TYA concept spas.

Susanne is passionate about the development of the spa industry within Australasia and has been involved with the Association since it inception, holding the role of president of ASpa for the past two years.

With over 15 years in the Spa & Hospitality Industry Rob has worked for 5star brands in the US and throughout Australia.  Currently Rooms Division Manager at The Sofitel Mansion & Spa, Rob launched Sofitel’s LeSpa into the Australian market earlier this year.  Rob’s experience started with working for the Ritz Carlton Hotel group in New York, Atlanta, and Double Bay. He then moved into the spa world where he worked for Spa Chakra in various Management, Consulting and Business Development roles for five years around Australia including Sydney, Hayman Island and Melbourne.  Rob also spent time working for HydroCo, gaining valuable experience as a supplier to the spa industry before returning to the world of operations with the Accor group.

Rob’s been an active member of ASpa from the early days, attending the initial round table style meetings, and was the net working coordinator for Victoria prior to the current ones.  Rob’s take on the 2008 conference is, “Having attended four of the five conferences I’ve watched them grow and evolve just as the membership base has.  My goal in organising the 2008 conference in Tasmania is to carry on this tradition.  I plan to source a diverse range of speakers and exhibitors that can provide the spa curious with an insight into the industry, while at the same time provide solid tools and sessions to the more seasoned spa professionals that have evolved with the industry-through the years!”

Vanessa Gay has over 17 years experience in the hospitality and spa industry in Australia. With a Diploma of Business in Hospitality Management and extensive Hotel and Spa knowledge, Vanessa’s experience encompasses Operations, Human Resources, Customer Service and Business Management.  With an energetic spirit and a passion for 5 star service Vanessa has headed up the team at The Observatory Hotel Day Spa in Sydney and The Lyall Hotel & Spa in South Yarra, Melbourne.

 As a Director of Spacareers™  & SHE Says, Vanessa and her team have been instrumental in offering a recruitment solution to a global spa & wellness market alongside training and consultancy services.

 Vanessa’s enthusiasm for the industry also finds her as the current Treasurer of the Australasian Spa Association(ASpa) and recent Aspa Award Winner 2008 for ‘Individual of Excellence’.  She is actively working to grow Aspa’s presence in Australia and internationally. 

Personally committed to connecting people and businesses so that everyone can achieve their goals is Vanessa’s driving force and she is keen to further develop and be an active participant in this dynamic spa and wellness industry.

After intensive training with Estee Lauder in London and working with some of the top beauty brands in the world, Melannie was inspired to launch her own range of boutique spa body care products in Australia Melle Beauty was launched in 2003, offering a new and vibrant spa body care range of products that are steeped in aromas inspired by the rich floral accents of Melannie’s home of Tasmania. Melle Beauty is developing strong distribution channels within Australia and has recently started exporting into New Zealand and Hong Kong.

With the success of Melle Beauty it is not surprising that Melannie has immersed herself in the world of spa, wellness and beauty. She has been instrumental in bringing together the spa and wellness industry in Tasmania, forming a Tasmanian chapter of ASpa and championing the island state in her role as an ASpa director. She looks forward to being a key contributor to the future direction of the spa and wellness industry in Australia. With responsibility for ASpa’s tourism portfolio Melannie is particularly keen to progress this agenda on behalf of the organisation’s members.

Naomi Gregory has extensive senior management experience in the spa, wellness and fitness industry.  Her exposure to different cultural and operational issues is broad, having worked in Australia, Asia and Saudi Arabia for 5-star brands such as Chiva-Som International Health Resort, Mandara Spa Asia, GHM and Crown Hotels. She is a respected operator with many successful large-scale openings to her credit. She is accustomed to working with luxury brands and has developed a great appreciation of what their guests’ desire and expect.

Naomi founded Spa Sessions in 2005, and in 2007 SpaAudit.com, a groundbreaking secret shopping system. She continues to develop comprehensive training and performance products designed to support spa and salon operators globally.  Naomi has an impressive client portfolio and is a sought after Spa Project Consultant.  She travels extensively throughout Asia Pacific and the Middle East from her home base near Margaret River, Western Australia. 

Karen Goudge joined the ASpa Board in Aug 2007. She has over 13 years' experience in the travel industry and has had a dynamic working career that has involved allied health, marketing and media. In 2001 she established Travel With A Difference and a couple of months later Spa Travel noticing a market gap for people to experience rejuvenating spa and wellness packages to exotic destinations.  Karen’s passion is exploring and developing innovative ideas to communicate and sell unique spa travel packages, whilst listening to and meeting client’s needs and requirements.  Spa Travel is Australia’s leading dedicated licensed travel operator. 

Enthusiastic about the purpose and benefits of the spa industry and ASpa, Karen looks forward to strengthening communications and enhancing the connection for new and current members.

Considered a leading expert in the business of blending spa with travel, Karen has an International Travel Diploma and has been a participating judge for the Asia Spa Magazine Awards based in Hong Kong for 2006, 2007 and 2008.  Since becoming an ASpa member in 2002, she had contributed time to being a Victorian Networking Coordinator.  After travelling and living aboard, Karen know resides at the coastal town of Barwon Heads, Victoria.