Conferences To Attend in 2023

By Special Event Correspondent, Mala McAlpin

2020 and 2021 were all about surviving through COVID. 2022 was about getting back to life beyond COVID. But establishing the ‘new norm’ left many of us exhausted. Now, many of us are determined for 2023 to be our year. What better way to do that than to cram our calendars with education, upskilling, and self-improvement? So, in that spirit, here are this year’s biggest and best conferences to mark in your diaries.

ABIC Education Conference - Sunday 12 February

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf, Melbourne theabic.org.au/events/abic-educationconference-2023

The Aesthetic Beauty Industry Council (ABIC) is continuing its mission to become Australia’s leading beauty and aesthetics industry body by hosting its augural educational conference. The one-day event is welcome to beauty therapists, dermal therapists, dermal clinicians, cosmetic nurses, cosmetic practitioners, plastic surgeons, and clinic managers.

The day aims to offer inclusive, unbiased topics and speakers coming together to promote collaboration and interprofessional education to take any practice’s treatments, results, practitioners, and operations to the next level. The program hosts what may be the most diverse mix of practitioners of any conference this year, including Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Naveen Somia, Registered Nurse Vivien Gardiner, Dermatologist Dr Cara McDonald, Trainer & Educator Rhiannon Mitsopoulos, Cosmetic Physician Dr David Kosenko, Dermal Clinician & Chairperson of ASDC Jennifer Byrne, Clinical Educator Karen Geiszler, Skin Therapist Robyn McAlpine, Registered Nurse Alex Pike and Beauty Therapist/Business Owner Tara Shaw to name a few.

Cosmedicon March 2-5, Intercontinental Double Bay - Sydney

One of the most looked-forward-to events in the cosmetic medicine space, Cosmedicon returns to Double Bay’s Intercontinental in March with a packed schedule of talks, workshops, and social events. The twoday scientific program features prominent international and local experts sharing their insights, experience, research, and practical tips on the most relevant and cutting-edge techniques and products in the minimally invasive aesthetic practice, including facial rejuvenation, body sculpting, skincare, and laser.

This is then complemented with live injecting workshops, sponsored skincare and device workshops, a networking function, and a Swinging 60s Gala Dinner extravaganza. Program highlights this year include regenerative medicine, stem cell research, menopause specialisation, laser for pigmentation updates, facial muscle stimulation, combination therapies for skin tightening, informed consent, women’s intimate health, body contouring, nutrient therapy and more. cosmedicon.com.au

Permanent Cosmetic Culture (PCC) March 19-20, Brisbane

Australia’s annual Permanent Makeup conference, this boutique event hosts 120 guests and sells out each year. Helping shape attendees into better artists, guests will find two days of workshops including hands-on brow design, mapping techniques, handdrawing, lining and shading drills, product exhibits, smartphone photography techniques and more. Those with all-access and Sunday passes also gain entry to the PCC Gala, which includes a two-course evening dinner, drinks, and a whole lot of dancing! pccgroupaus.com

Cutera University Clinical Forum May 5-7, The Langham Gold Coast

A must-attend for anyone currently using, or interested in adopting, Cutera devices. Or simply any practitioner with a keen interest in energy-based devices! One of the most highly regarded in the Australian device market, Cutera host their CUCF every year, which gets bigger and better with every passing event.

It’s an excellent weekend learning environment comprising two and a half days of education, entertainment, and professional and social connection, where you can network and learn from other clinicians, doctors, and body aesthetic professionals from all over Australia and overseas.

The welcome drinks and cocktail gala never cease to blow guests away, and the conference days always receive positive feedback for their interactivity, variety in topics, and useful, tangible information that clinics can adopt right away. And this doesn’t just apply to laser parameters and skin conditions, but marketing, social media, business practice, client retention and more. cucf.com.au

ASAPS Non-Surgical Symposium (NSS) June 23-25, Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre

Typically regarded as the biggest conference of the year, this year NSS is back on the sunny Gold Coast. We were wowed by a spectacular 10th anniversary conference last year that we expect to be topped by this year’s festivities. The program is yet to be released, but we can expect it to be just as diverse than ever, with speakers from around the world.

With multiple simultaneous seminar rooms to choose from, topics cover all things skin, cosmetic formulation, prepping and posttreatment care, pigmentation, energy-based devices, injectables, research, marketing and social media, practice management, business coaching, consulting and informed consent, surgical procedures, and trends. As always, we can also expect a range of skin and injectable sponsored workshops, a networking drinks event to open the weekend, and the biggest party of the year - the Saturday evening gala dinner. nonsurgical.org.au

ASDC SKINCON August 5-7 Hybrid Conference, Melbourne & Online

Hosted by the Australian Society of Dermal Clinicians, SKINCON is back for its second year, offering a hybrid boutique educational conference dedicated to the skin sector. That includes Dermal Clinicians, Dermal Therapists, Dermatology and Cosmetic Nurses, and Beauty Therapists, for a weekend of connection and support both in-person and via a highly interactive online portal. The program is yet to come, but the event will feature live and pre-recorded presentations, networking events, an in-person and virtual exhibitor hall, online networking for delegates and sponsors, interactive learning workshops and more.

Aesthetics23 August 10-13, Sydney

The following weekend after ASDC is Steven Liew’s highly anticipated Aesthetics conference. This year’s A23 theme and program is yet to be revealed but will share similar aims to previous years. That is, a totally fresh and rewarding experience for all practitioners in the field of non-surgical aesthetic treatments, a focus on genuine inclusion, and an open dialogue to foster partnerships across industry disciplines that ultimately helps all to learn and grow together.

Aestheticsau.com

Fresh Life Conference September 5-8, Byron Bay thefreshlifeconference.com

Perhaps the most unique take on an aesthetic conference so far, Fresh Life was launched last year to great success. Designed predominantly for cosmetic nurses but open to all aesthetic professionals, Fresh Life is dedicated to the fusion of aesthetics and wellness, a theme which carries through all elements.

Last year’s event was likened to a music festival for its outdoor open-air exhibit space rather than the usual stuffy conference hall. Speakers and their audiences were hosted either in a stunning outdoor teepee, or in the larger indoor hall which was decked out in lush greenery. Even the catering boasted paddock-to-plate, nutritionally balanced vibes.

Program topics were just as thought-out and considered, discussing new innovations, techniques, and technologies; both for injecting and devices, combination therapies, improving the patient journey, working interprofessionally with skin practitioners, and improving current practices. And this year is set to impress even further.

Beauty Expo August 26-27, ICC Sydney Darling Harbour Beauty Expo

Australia unites the beauty industry in the country’s largest celebration of all things beauty, skin and cosmetics. Discover and experience over 200 brands and products, world class education, international talent and live performances and competitions across one wonderful weekend in Sydney. This year, Beauty Expo will be publishing their pathway to net zero by 2040, setting out their reduction strategy with key milestones for all their future shows.

It’s a little too early for the program release yet, but with the expo’s commitment to be a bigger and better year on year, we can likely expect the same diversification of the conference topics branching into dermal and aesthetics, as well as added experiences like complimentary coaching sessions and live demonstrations. beautyexpoaustralia.com.au

BEAUTY & SPA Insiders Monday October 16, Pier One Sydney beautyandspainsiders.com.au

BEAUTY & SPA Insiders aims to celebrate and unite Australian beauty, wellness, and medi-aesthetics industry professionals with a jam-packed, one-day event showcasing talent, innovation, and creativity. Save the date and expect presentations and panels from a range of industry leaders exploring trends, business tools, new technologies, and news from both new and established brands.

BEAUTY & SPA Insiders is designed to inspire, providing opportunities for learning and connection between beauty therapists, salon owners, cosmetic medical practitioners, nail technicians, makeup artists, and spa and wellness professionals alike, uniting over likeminded discussions on topics impacting the future of our industry.

Mala is a freelance writer & marketing expert creating feature articles, copywriting, and business support services for the beauty and aesthetics sectors. For more information visit malamcalpin.com.au