This September, hundreds of people gathered for the International Congress of Esthetics and Spa conference in lovely Southern California. Those who attended also had the additional benefit of the luxurious weather. With its beautiful sunsets, festive piers and restaurants, and constant live entertainment, Long Beach was a great place to host this year’s conference. The Long Beach Convention Center was packed with products, equipment, and most importantly, education.
The General Session was opened and hosted by Nina Curtis. The two sponsors for this event were Éminence Organic Skin Care of Hungary and PCA skin®, both prominent companies in this industry.
The lectures and demonstrations on stage included the following topics:
Sunday:
- How Can I Have Acne and Wrinkles at the Same Time? (Lecture/Demo) by Elaine Linker
- Melanogenesis and the Pigmentation Response (Lecture) by Joan Tomeu, R.N.
- Mysterious Ceylon Massage (Demo) by Natalia Sotelo
- The Science of Senses (Lecture) by Lydia Sarfati
- Flawless Age Reducing Makeup in Minutes (Demo) by Buntricia Bastian
Monday:
- Oncology Facial (Demo) by Danielle Wachowski
- Concierge Esthetics (Lecture) by Tina Zillmann
- A Touch of Thai (Demo) by Gena Flores
- Ultrasonic, Ultrasound: Technology for the Spa (Lecture) by Judith Culp
- Manscaping Musts: Waxing the Ears, Nose, Brows and Mankini (Lecture/Demo) by Crickett Enos
But the General Session was not the only form of education for attendees. The convention was packed with Manufacturers’ Workshops, Cutting Edge Salon/Spa Business Seminars, Medical Esthetic Seminars, In-Depth Makeup Seminars, Aesthetics International Association Education Classes, and Business Education and Networking Events. Students left this event with more knowledge to take home and use in their practice.
Last, the tradeshow floor was an amazing site to see with its busy aisles, energetic companies, and samplings of products and equipment. There were almost 200 exhibitors creating new relationships with the other exhibitors and eager attendees, making this conference a very productive and efficient weekend!
The educational opportunities were abundantly available. All told there were 27 education classes and 28 product knowledge trainings. Those numbers do not even include the product demonstrations that were taking place continuously on the exhibit hall floor. From the General Session to the Salon/Spa Business Management Seminar, Medical Esthetic Seminar, In Depth Makeup Seminar, Green Summit, AIA Education Classes, and the Spa Buzz Networking Event … there was definitely a class for everyone.
Eager attendees gathered and patiently waited for the opening of the exhibit hall bright and early on Sunday, March 4th and this enthusiasm continued throughout both days as the tradeshow floor overflowed with attendees. Networking opportunities between exhibitors and fellow professionals made it impossible not to enjoy the positive energy. Several exhibitors also expressed great satisfaction and glee in selling out of some of their product lines by as early as Sunday evening. Attendees, educators and exhibitors unanimously agree that this year’s show was a fabulous success and that they are looking forward to next year’s show.
We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to all who made this event possible from the educators and exhibitors to the attendees and sponsors. We look forward to seeing all of you in Long Beach again next year September 29 and 30, 2013.
