Global Wellness Summit to Explore the "Soul" of Wellness Through Ancient Wisdom, Spiritual Traditions and Powerful Shared Experiences

From a moving chanting ceremony by Thai schoolgirls and the teachings of a revered Buddhist monk to immersive movement and breathtaking nature films, the 20th-anniversary Summit will celebrate the deeper human dimensions of wellness.

MIAMI, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As longevity science, medical breakthroughs and new technologies continue to transform the wellness industry, the Global Wellness Summit (GWS) is making an equally powerful statement: Wellness is about more than what can be measured.

At its milestone 20th-anniversary gathering, taking place November 10–13 at Angsana Laguna Phuket in Thailand, the Summit will explore "The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness"—a theme that recognizes that the future of wellness must embrace not only scientific innovation, but also the ancient wisdom, spirituality, beauty and human connection that have always been central to wellbeing.

While groundbreaking science will be a major pillar of the 2026 agenda, the "soul" of wellness will be experienced firsthand through an extraordinary collection of speakers, cultural ceremonies, immersive movement experiences and moments of reflection.

Thailand provides a particularly meaningful setting for this exploration. With its deeply rooted Buddhist traditions, reverence for nature, and long-held understanding of the connection between body, mind and spirit, the country embodies many of the values at the heart of the Summit's theme.

"There's never been a more important time to talk about the soul of wellness," said Nancy Davis, chief creative officer and executive director of the Global Wellness Summit. "We're living in a time of extraordinary scientific advances that are helping us living longer, healthier lives. But wellness is also about connection, compassion, beauty, purpose and belonging—things that aren't always easy to quantify, but that are fundamental to our wellbeing. Thailand is the perfect place to explore this, because these values are so deeply woven into its culture. We want delegates to leave not only with new knowledge and ideas, but with experiences that move them, connect them and remind them why wellness matters."

A Moving Ceremony Celebrating Compassion, Gratitude and Community

One of the Summit's most meaningful moments will be a traditional Buddhist chanting ceremony performed by students from Thailand's Dhammajarinee Witthaya School, sharing a centuries-old cultural practice rooted in gratitude, compassion and inner peace. This powerful experience is made possible through BuDhaGirl and GWS co-chair Jessica Jesse.

Dhammajarinee Witthaya School serves more than 1,000 underserved girls from across Thailand, providing education and opportunities to young women who might otherwise face significant barriers. The school has also won multiple first-place honors in Thailand's national Buddhist chanting competitions.

"I'm so honored that BuDhaGirl can help bring these extraordinary young women to the Summit," said Jessica Jesse, founder and CEO of BuDhaGirl and a co-chair of the 2026 conference. "There is something incredibly moving about the collective voices of these girls, and the discipline, devotion and sense of community behind their chanting. The Dhammajarinee Witthaya School is doing remarkable work to create opportunities for young women across Thailand. To me, this is exactly what the soul of wellness is about—gratitude, compassion, connection and the recognition of our shared humanity."

A Revered Buddhist Monk on the Wisdom of the Thai Forest Tradition

One of the Summit's most significant spiritual voices will be Ajahn Jayasāro, a highly respected Buddhist monk, teacher and author whose life has been devoted to sharing the teachings of the Thai Forest Tradition, a branch of Theravada Buddhism focused on strict monastic discipline, meditation and simple living in nature.

Born in England, Ajahn Jayasāro traveled to Thailand in the late 1970s and was ordained under the renowned meditation master Ajahn Chah. He served as abbot of Wat Pah Nanachat, an international monastery in northeastern Thailand, and now lives in a hermitage near the Khao Yai Mountains, where he continues his spiritual practice, teaching and writing.

In July 2026, he received one of Thailand's highest ecclesiastical honors from King Maha Vajiralongkorn, becoming the first foreign-born monk to receive the prestigious Somdej title. His participation will bring a perspective rooted in centuries of Buddhist wisdom to a gathering examining the most advanced developments in modern health and medicine.

Sanctum Brings the Power of Collective Movement to Phuket

The Summit will also explore the soul of wellness through two immersive early-morning experiences from Sanctum, the global mindful movement concept known for combining music, breathwork, martial arts, somatic release and collective energy.

Led by Sanctum founder Luuk Melisse on the beach at Angsana Laguna Phuket, the experiences will use movement, music and rhythm to foster connection, release and a sense of belonging, exploring the relationship between the individual and the collective.

Louie Schwartzberg: Finding Awe and Connection in Nature

Another expression of the Summit's focus on soul will come through the extraordinary work of Louie Schwartzberg, the award-winning filmmaker whose breathtaking nature cinematography has become a signature element of Global Wellness Summit gatherings.

Known for his pioneering time-lapse photography, Schwartzberg has a remarkable ability to reveal the beauty and complexity of the natural world, inviting audiences to slow down, experience wonder and reconnect with nature—and their own place within it.

The Human Side of Wellness

As the wellness economy has grown into a $6.8 trillion global industry, its scope has expanded dramatically—from spas and fitness to longevity medicine, precision health and beyond. But alongside these advances has come a renewed recognition of the importance of social connection, spirituality, creativity, purpose and our relationship with nature.

For 20 years, the Global Wellness Summit has brought together leaders from around the world to exchange ideas, forge relationships and shape the future of wellness. This year's gathering will also celebrate the moments that cannot easily be measured—the conversations, cultural experiences and shared sense of humanity that delegates carry home long after the conference ends.

Apply to attend the Summit. 

Accredited media can apply to attend here.

About the Global Wellness Summit: The Global Wellness Summit brings together leaders and visionaries to positively shape the future of the $6.8 trillion global wellness economy. In addition to an annual conference held at a different location around the globe, GWS also hosts annual in-person events such as the Wellness Real Estate & Communities Symposium and the New York Media Event, where its Future of Wellness report is unveiled, a prediction of the top wellness trends for the year that is oft-quoted in the media. The GWS also hosts virtual gatherings, including Wellness Master Classes. The 20th annual Global Wellness Summit will be held in Phuket, Thailand, November 10-13, 2026.

SOURCE Global Wellness Summit