The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) has named fitness and wellness entrepreneur Tony de Leede and wellness consultant Mia Kyricos as co-chairs of this year’s event.

The annual summit – focused on the $US3.7tr global wellness economy – is set to take place from 6 to 8 October at the Technogym Village in Italy.

“I’m grateful for the talents and expertise that both Tony and Mia will bring to curating an agenda that not only furthers conversations on the big business of wellness, but also embraces the heart and soul of Italy’s lifestyle, including its art, fashion and food,” said Susie Ellis, GWS chair and CEO.

A successful fitness pioneer, de Leede built Australia’s biggest fitness empire, Fitness First. He is also a wellness resort entrepreneur who co-owns a range of wellness hospitality businesses, including the destination spa resort Gwinganna and the surf wellness brand Komune.

“The Global Wellness Summit is attended by the top wellness companies, investors, researchers and policy-makers in the world,” said de Leede.

“It’s an honour to be a part of an event that facilitates deep cooperation among this group, and, ultimately, encourages relationships that end up shaping the business of wellness for years to come.”

Kyricos is president and CEO of Kyricos & Associates, whose clients span both public and private sectors, as well as Fortune 500 companies. She has attended every Summit in the event’s history and has sat on the GWS board for five years.

With more than 25 years' experience, Kyricos has helped to develop, operate, and market wellness-related brands and facilities across more than 100 countries, and has held senior positions, including chief brand officer of Spafinder Wellness, vice president of EXOS, and global director of spa brands for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.

She also chairs the Wellness Communities Initiative for the Global Wellness Institute and serves as its research advisor.

“Having witnessed the growth and magic of the Summit since its inception, and watched it evolve into the event of the year for any decision-maker serious about the business of wellness, I’m honoured to have been asked to co-chair this year’s event,” said Kyricos.

“I’m particularly thrilled to do so at the global headquarters of Technogym in Italy – a great setting for our delegates to discover more insights into the sectors that make up today’s global wellness economy, including beauty, travel, spa, real estate, nutrition, medicine, the environment and, of course, fitness.”

Located in the heart of Italy’s ‘Wellness Valley’, the Technogym campus is home to an expansive research and education centre, state-of-the-art gym, factory and a farm-to-table restaurant where employees dine.

Technogym founder Nerio Alessandri’s integrative approach to the business of wellness will also help drive the dialogue of the 2018 Summit.