Miami – October 19, 2026 -- The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will hold its 20th-anniversary gathering November 10–13 at Angsana Laguna Phuket in Thailand, positioning a $6.8 trillion global wellness economy around the theme "The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness."
The agenda pairs longevity science and medical advances with spirituality, cultural practice and human connection. GWS chief creative officer and executive director Nancy Davis said the industry's scientific progress sits alongside factors such as compassion, purpose and belonging that are harder to quantify.
Thai Schoolgirls to Perform Buddhist Chanting Ceremony
Students from Thailand's Dhammajarinee Witthaya School will perform a traditional Buddhist chanting ceremony. The school serves more than 1,000 underserved girls from across Thailand and has won multiple first-place honors in national Buddhist chanting competitions.
The appearance is enabled by BuDhaGirl and GWS co-chair Jessica Jesse, who is also BuDhaGirl's founder and CEO.
Ajahn Jayasāro Joins Speaker Lineup After Historic Somdej Title
Buddhist monk, teacher and author Ajahn Jayasāro will speak on the Thai Forest Tradition, a branch of Theravada Buddhism centered on monastic discipline, meditation and simple living in nature. Born in England, he traveled to Thailand in the late 1970s and was ordained under meditation master Ajahn Chah. He previously served as abbot of Wat Pah Nanachat in northeastern Thailand.
In July 2026, King Maha Vajiralongkorn conferred on him the Somdej title, one of Thailand's highest ecclesiastical honors. He is the first foreign-born monk to receive it.
Sanctum Founder Luuk Melisse to Lead Two Beach Sessions
Sanctum, a mindful movement concept combining music, breathwork, martial arts and somatic release, will run two early-morning sessions on the beach at Angsana Laguna Phuket. Founder Luuk Melisse will lead both, focused on the relationship between the individual and the collective.
Filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg Returns With Nature Cinematography
Award-winning filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg, known for pioneering time-lapse photography, will present his nature work, which has become a signature element of GWS gatherings.
The organizers say the wellness economy has expanded from spas and fitness into longevity medicine and precision health, with social connection, spirituality, creativity and purpose gaining renewed attention alongside those advances.