Coschem - Annual Report 2015 Coschem Annual Report 2018.final | Page 14

Scientific Committee Members: Wayne van Wyk Luda Grobler Liesl Keulder Gillian Kuhn Martin Mason Sonja Steyn Rose Westbrook Chairperson The Coschem Annual Cosmetic Science Conference: Beauty in HD, 5-6 September 2018 An area of concern is the participation/attendance of delegates at the confer- ence, and we saw a 20% decline in the number of delegates versus 2017. Various factors have contributed to this, and the scientific committee would need to keep these factors in mind when planning the 2019 Conference. The world is changing daily and technology is moving at such a pace that majority of people are left far behind, and forever trying to catch up. Technology in the Cosmetic Industry is also moving at this same pace, and the 2018 conference objective was to try to highlight some of these changes. The cocktail party was very well attended and allowed delegates time to network and socialize in a relaxed environment. We are always trying to find new dynamics and interesting presentations, and 2018 was the implementation phase of these changes and ideas. With comments from the 2017 conference, we have started to build on giving the delegates a wider range of topics, and not only topics based on pure cosmetic science. The gala dinner was held at Montecasino and the theme was “Fire and Ice”. Everyone looked amazing and one could see and feel the Beauty in HD. Marketing megatrends, presented by Beverley Gardner showed the importance of knowing your customer, in this technology driven world. The Phone App for fashion is the start of this HD requirement in the beauty industry. We also looked at other sectors of Skin science, and the management of atopic Eczema at primary health care level. Knowing what challenges we face in treating all skin conditions is of utmost importance to all Cosmetic Scientists. There was also greater focus in 2018 on hair care, and the importance of understanding the hair to achieve the desired end results, especially when dealing with chemical treatments. Our key goals and focus of the conference is to provide and enhance scientific knowledge, and to create a networking environment that is conducive to dialogue and learning. Having said this, it is crucial that we continue to support Academia from the various Universities. This has proved to be an important step in progressing education, and ensuring that the industry has new and vibrant blood. This year we had five presentations from Academia, and our target is to help grow this process, and also to help give guidance in specific research projects. Planning for the 2019 conference has begun, and this conference is going to be run with an HPCI Exhibition. This will be held at Gallagher Convention Centre. 2019 is the year of Innovation, and we are looking at all areas of Innovation that will or can impact the Beauty Industry, whether it is related to Chemistry, Design, Architecture, Engineering or Physiology. To all the sponsors. Without all your valuable support and sponsorship, the Society would not be able to grow and educate members further and would never be able to produce conferences on this scale. The Science Committee is forever grateful for this support, and appreciate the continual dedication to the Society and the industry, Thank-you. I would like to thank Bridget for her continual dedication and hard work, ensuring that the Conference and Gala Dinner is a success, as well as the Scientific Committee for the time that she offers and the extra mile that all take to making this event a success.