IFEAT 2016 Dubai Conference Report

IFEAT 2016 Dubai Conference – 21st – 25th September 2016

The Welcome Reception, held in Fort Island at Madinat Jumeirah, on Sunday 25th September, provided a wonderful start to the 2016 IFEAT Conference – albeit somewhat hot and humid for some of the 709 of us: in that sense a sharp reminder of the global warming era we should be concerned with. Music then followed, and guests were able to greet each other while being provided with a range of delicious local amuse-bouches. This year there was a change to the conference programme, with only the first two days offering lectures and the last two days offering an exhibition. The new format worked well, with Delegates able to arrange their meetings around the programme and attend more presentations. The programme offered 18 presentations, many including videos, which covered a wide variety of topics. Networking over the full course of the Conference was, as ever, the raison d’être of the conference for many. Following the Opening Ceremony on the Monday morning (26th September), Gilbert Ghostine, CEO of Firmenich, Switzerland, discussed the challenges and responsibilities for the 21st century fragrance and flavour industry. This was followed by a presentation by Patrick Mewton of Clotilde Limited, UK, providing an insight into why the F&F industry is increasingly embarking on strategic consolidations, and a presentation by John Bailey of The Perfumers Guild Limited, UK, on “Liquid Gold” which discussed the global success story of oudh. In the afternoon, four speakers covered the interesting topic of “Legendary Products: Yesterday and Tomorrow.” First, Aslan Gülçiçek of MG Gülçiçek International Fragrance Company, Turkey discussed the current and future market dynamics in the Arabian Peninsula. Guelleh Osman Guelleh of Neo Botanika & Neo Gr. Limited, Somalia, continued with a presentation on the incense trail. This was followed by a video recorded by Trygve Harris of Enfleurage Inc, Oman, about frankincense in the Sultanate of Oman. The session concluded with a presentation by Ashad Chaudhry of Ashad Botanix, Oman, who tackled the sustainability issue of frankincense production. Tuesday morning started with the IFEAT AGM and a review of IFEAT’s past year’s activities by Alain Frix, the IFEAT Chairman. Then followed a series of business reports on specific IFEAT activities over the past year, including reports on the Plymouth perfumery and Reading flavour courses, the successful USA Study Tour in August 2016, the forthcoming 2017 IFEAT Conference in Athens from 24th to 28th September and next year’s Study Tour to Bulgaria from 28th May to 2nd June 2017. This was followed by the election of our new Chairwoman, Antonella Corleone, to whom I wish the fairest of winds to steer the IFEAT ship these next three years. The IFEAT Medal Lecture was awarded to Abdulla Ajmal of Ajmal International Trading Co, Dubai, UAE, who prepared a very interesting presentation titled “Oudh, Perfumery, the Middle East and India: some reflections on a personal journey”. Dr Kanwal Deep, General Manager of Research & Development at Ajmal Perfumes, gave the presentation as Abdulla Ajmal could not attend. The afternoon and closing session concentrated on regulatory and legislative developments with four interesting presentations. On Wednesday 28th September a workshop was held by Dr Brian Lawrence: “The Science of Essential Oils”. It was attended by 31 Delegates (from 12 countries) who appreciated the opportunity to look at this topic in more detail with a recognised expert. Delegates also had the opportunity on Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th September to visit the Trade Exhibition where 36 companies exhibited their latest products; while 36 private meeting rooms offered during the four conference days a centralised but discreet business environment for companies to quietly meet their clients and suppliers. The week in Dubai concluded on Thursday 29th September with the Closing Banquet on the beach facing the iconic Burj Al-Arab building, attended by 792 participants. This was held at the Events Arena of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Guests were able to enjoy mouth-watering culinary delights and the performances of various artists throughout the evening with a magnificent view over the night-time Persian Gulf. Dancing continued well into the night at the 360° night club attended by 311 hardcore partying Delegates, bringing to an end another very successful IFEAT Conference. The IFEAT Dinner on Tuesday night, which was attended by 420 people, was hosted at the Armani Pavilion at Burj Khalifa – the tallest building in the world. Guests enjoyed a dazzling evening with jaw dropping synchronised music and fountain works and plenty of local and international delicacies. The evening was livened up by amazing oriental dancing performances creating a very spirited and joyful atmosphere.