The Global Spa & Wellness Summit (GSWS) has launched its first infographic competition, a global challenge to communicate information about spa and wellness through the format of an infographic.

Registration for the contests is open and entries will be accepted until 31 August 2013. The contest is open anyone over the age of 18, anywhere in the world.

The winners will be announced and showcased at the annual Summit being held at The Oberoi, Gurgaon in New Delhi, India from 5-7 October, 2013.

Three winners will share cash prizes totalling US$5,000 (EUR3,825, £3,255).

The contest requires participants to create infographics that blend visuals with data and content to allow information to be presented in an engaging, easy-to-grasp way.

Marc Cohen, GSWS Board Member and professor at RMIT University, Australia, said: "Infographics can be a powerful educational vehicle because they distil complex ideas and data in a simple, eye-catching format.

"We believe the submissions will help consumers, the business world and the media understand the depth, breadth and benefits of our industry more clearly."

Contestants are challenged with using this design medium to present an informed, inspired vision of any aspect of spa or wellness they choose.

The contest purposely leaves the interpretation of spa and wellness open-ended to encourage diverse, creative submissions. Entries can be business facing or designed to inspire and inform consumers by presenting facts about the benefits of spa and wellness.

The 2013 GSWS Infographic Competition expands on the organisation's yearly Student Challenge, where university student finalists from around the world travel to the Summit to present their concepts for a spa of the future.

Cohen said: "The contest to get more people contributing their vision of how spa and wellness impact the world - but in a fresh, new format."