Gustavo Albanesi is the owner of Buddha Spa (www.buddhaspa.com/br), the largest spa chain in Brazil. Founded in 2001, Buddha Spa is expanding fast, having just opened four new locations focusing on wellness and beauty treatments. Gustavo is also the president of the Brazilian Spa Association.

Q: Gustavo, as the owner of Buddha Spa you hold a prestigious position in the Spa Industry in Brazil, where did your interest in this market come from?

I’m originally from the financial market. I always worked as an investment banker. 10 years ago my partner and I decided to open a small shiatsu clinic, as he was a client of an important shiatsu clinic in Brazil and imagined that it could be an interest and growing business. We open the first facility, which was a parallel business of ours. After 3 years we opened the second one. It started to became a prestigious brand in Brazil and the business was growing. I then decided to focus on the expansion of this business instead of financial market.

Q: You attended the Global Spa Summit in Turkey last year, were there any emerging trends that really stuck out for you?

Normally the global spa trend became trends in Brazil only after some years, as our industry here is still very new. The happenings in other countries some years ago are just starting to happen here now. One important global trend that I believe will be an important tre ... read more

Sharon grew up in Deerfield Beach Florida where her parents owned a Hotel, and learned early what hotel life was all about. She knew she wished to be an Architect from Age 11! Zamojski found her dream job as resident onsite Architect and Capital Projects a the stunning Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa, and in late 2007 was approached to become Sustainability Chair for the Resort, heading a 35 Member Team who call her the Green Queen!

Q: Sharon, as the In-House Architect and Capital Projects Manager of The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, can you tell us what an average working day is like for you?

R: There is no average day at a 1058 room hotel and convention center! We are open 24 hours/day everyday of the year so a myriad of challenges can occur during the day and night. With projects continually on-going, coordination with in-house staff and contractors becomes the focus so that the guest experience is always enhanced. I could be doing paperwork one second and then be on the roof checking for warranty items. I could be reviewing design sketches with our design professionals and then get a call to meet with a vendor representing a sustainable wall fabric. An ... read more