Science and media scares focus of US trade association’s annual meeting

The US cosmetics trade association is holding its annual meeting in the Palm Beach Hotel, Florida on February 28 and is looking at how the scientific perspective could help inform regulations and clear up public confusion over certain ingredients.

For the first time, 2011’s event will include a policy summit which is designed to provide an opportunity for attendees to hear from those involved in the industry’s legislative and regulatory issues.

As the keynote speaker Dr Joe Schwarz, the director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society, will talk on keeping the proper perspective on scientific issues.

Schwarz will address the recent media scares on bisphenol A, phthalates, parabens and others and address the consumer, and political, confusion that surrounds such ingredients.

Industry and consumer trends ​

In addition, the three day event will look at future industry and consumer trends through discussions with personal care CEOs, and beauty editors.

Tuesday March 1 will see the keynote speaker Joshua Cooper Ramo from international consultancy Kissinger Associates, and beauty company CEOs discuss the current state of the industry.

Partaking in the discussion will be E. Scott Beattie, CEO of Elizabeth Arden and Thia Breen, President, North America, of the Estée Lauder Companies and the session will be moderated by Leslie Picard, the senior vice president of Time Inc, corporate sales and marketing.

Consumer and retail trends will also be discussed in Wednesday’s session moderated by Art Spiro of Elizabeth Arden. This session invites panellists from the media, including Ying Chu, beauty director for Marie Claire and Emily Dougherty, beauty director for Elle, to discuss the consumer trends in the industry today.

These will then be explored by retailers in an attempt to help attendees uncover collaborative ways to reach consumers and boost the bottomline.