Juliette Blanzy, director of Spameeting, spoke exclusively to Spa Opportunities to confirm the next EMEA edition of the event will be held between 26-29 of November 2016.

The event will take place in Dubai once again, though a location is not yet confirmed, and will again be a combined event with Cosmeeting – a beauty supplier and retail buyer conference.

This years Spameeting EMEA is wrapping up this week at The Meydan Hotel in Dubai. It hosted 55 buyers and 55 suppliers, and sister conference Cosmeeting had 40 suppliers and 50 buyers. The format of these events include back-to-back pre-arranged meetings between buyers from the region and suppliers.

Blanzy said: “Altogether, if you match everyone’s agendas, it adds up to about 2,000 arranged meetings across two days.

“It’s the first time we’ve brought Cosmeeting and Spameeting together because of the overlap in retail sales," she continued. "Spa is now a well-known space for retail now - and retail buyers are taking notice of this. Retail buyers want to meet hoteliers and spas need to increase retail to make money. Spa brands need to watch out for retail brands too, or the retail suppliers will fill the gap."

This is the first time that European suppliers have been brought to the Middle Eastern edition of this event, according to Blanzy, who said about 40 per cent of suppliers are new at the event.

In terms of the development for the Spameeting programme, more investors have been invited to attend this edition of the event – which is a new profile for the buyer portfolio.

“The Middle Eastern spa market is so young in comparison to Europe’s spa market," said Blanzy. "For example, distributors are in charge of standard retail and spa retail in the Middle East, but when the market is established – for example in Europe – there’s a difference between distributors and suppliers.”

Read more about the event's panel discussions that took place on 6 December:

Spameeting EMEA 2015, Dubai, kicks off with panel discussion: Design in Spa

Spameeting EMEA panel 2: how to deliver quality service?

Spameeting EMEA panel 3: how do you select the right products and equipment?

Spameeting EMEA panel 4: are GMs stubborn or are spa managers high maintenance?