Three years of meticulous planning in a period of great uncertainty caused by the pandemic, finally reached fruition in Vancouver, Canada, from the 9th to 13th October 2022. The considerable efforts made by the IFEAT Vancouver Conference Committee, chaired by Alan Brown, and supported by the Local Organising Committee and IFEAT’s Secretariat were realised with IFEAT’s second Conference in Canada, following the Montreal Conference in 2008.
The Vancouver Conference proved a great success, much welcomed by delegates after such a long absence. Because of the uncertainty and travel disruptions created by the pandemic it was agreed that this would be IFEAT’s first hybrid Conference, whereby delegates could participate either online or in-person. Although online participation was better than nothing, everyone present agreed that meeting up in-person was much superior.
The “Pacific Reunion” Conference was held at the Westin Bayshore Hotel, which provided ample space for meetings, networking, company meeting rooms and suites and a flavour and fragrance (F&F) workshop, which are such vital components of IFEAT Conferences. In addition, the two large ballrooms were excellent locations for the extensive four-day lecture programme, the trade exhibition, and the IFEAT AGM and Business Session. Moreover, in part because of access to hybrid facilities, the presentations were more diverse than at previous Conferences and the quality was facilitated by the excellent video reproduction, sound system, and viewing screens available. In addition, there was a range of eating places and buffet areas located throughout the hotel enabling the lunch and coffee breaks to operate smoothly. Moreover, the hotel was in a stunning location overlooking Coal Harbour Bay, with views over the bay to the mountains and forests beyond. In addition, the weather was unseasonal and near perfect – clear blue skies throughout the day, no rain and stunning sunrises and sunsets – enabling delegates to relax and breathe in the fresh Vancouver air with an occasional stroll along the quayside to nearby restaurants and bars.
926 delegates and 36 accompanying persons attended from 557 companies over 59 countries. There were also 35 online only attendees.
The traditional ice breaker Welcome Reception on Sunday evening allowed delegates to meet up for drinks and canapés with old friends they hadn’t seen for some time – and make new ones. The Reception began with members of the First Nations, representing the Indigenous people of Canada, welcoming delegates to their land. The Elder gave a speech, after which there was a traditional dance performance.
The Conference programme was opened on Monday morning by the Conference Chair Alan Brown who explained the theme was the “Pacific Reunion” and why the Conference differed in several respects from previous years. As mentioned earlier, it was IFEAT’s first hybrid Conference, and it was the first with a professional Master of Ceremonies – Ralph Cochrane. He did an excellent job of introducing speakers, moderating the Q&A sessions, and ensuring the programme ran to time with no hitches. In addition, the Whova app, first used in Athens, had been greatly improved and delegates were able to use it for a wide range of functions, e.g., obtaining detailed information on the programme, delegates, exhibitors, and various events. All the Conference speakers’ presentations would be available to registered delegates on the Whova app until 13th January 2023. Moreover, in the week prior to the opening of the Conference, there was a series of online speed networking sessions that enabled delegates to meet other delegates before meeting up in person.
There were four days of presentations, both in the mornings and some online sessions on two of the afternoons. Also, having a hybrid Conference enabled presentations to be made and discussions to be held with delegates not physically present. During the four days – and seven sessions – there were 20 presentations, not including the IFEAT AGM and Business Session, covering a wide range of topics on essential oils and F&F markets, as well as addressing current legislative and scientific issues. Each of these presentations would be worthy of a separate article in IFEATWORLD. Holding lectures during the three-hour morning sessions was popular and attendance figures reflected this. The afternoon sessions that were only held online were streamed into the lecture hall with delegates also having the option to view on the Whova platform.
Following the Conference opening there were three excellent and diverse presentations by skilled presenters each with excellent PowerPoint slides. The first was a dynamic, stimulating, and motivational 90-minute session on Energy in Connection with Minter Dial, a professional speaker. He endeavoured to energise the audience and discuss concrete and actionable ways to strengthen both individuals and their businesses – particularly after the major anxieties of recent years: the pandemic, war, economic, and political issues. He explained why energy is vital in a post pandemic world; how to be positive; and how to tap into your essence with the 5Es – engagement, exchange, emotion, experience, and essence (linking to your “north”). The session incorporated online polls through the Whova app as well as small discussion groups. Very different from any previous presentation at an IFEAT Conference and from the feedback we received, very popular too!
The second was a thought-provoking and wide-ranging lecture by Alain Frix discussing F&F Feedstocks & Renewability. He reviewed the increasing competition for renewable feedstocks, the impact of mergers and acquisitions, and the excessive regulatory environment. Each major source of F&F raw material ingredients was discussed and quantified: petrochemicals, forest products, essential oils, and biotechnology. Severe concerns were expressed regarding their low renewability and future availability for the F&F sector. Finally, Alain explained why there is no perfect sustainability solution, with petrochemical and natural ingredients each having a different, but never complete, sustainability profile.
The third presentation by Michael Ford, a specialist in import/export documentation and regulatory compliance at BDP International, was very topical, discussing the Current Transportation and Trade Challenges Impacting Shippers. Factors disrupting the global supply chains in 2021 and 2022 were covered including port congestion, high freight costs, new regulations, and COVID-19. Several important transport and trade regulations impacting the aroma trades were discussed.
The afternoon saw an online presentation by Romel Guzman on Sustainability Assurance of Tonka Beans in the Amazonian Region of Venezuela.
A key feature of every IFEAT Conference is the IFEAT AGM and Business Session, which took place on the Tuesday morning. The format was like previous years: the 2021 Report and Accounts were approved; the retiring Executive Committee (EC) Chair Hussein Fakhry reviewed the previous year’s activities; new EC members John Cavallo and Henry Gill were elected, and Catherine Kuit-Crowley was announced as the new EC Chair with Geemon Korah becoming 1st Vice Chair. Presentations were made on the next IFEAT Conference which will take place at the InterContinental Hotel in Berlin, Germany from 8th – 12th October 2023 with the theme of “TRADE. TRADITION. MODERN SPIRIT.” and the IFEAT Focused Study Tour to Spain from 26th February – 1st March 2023. IFEAT’s President, Alastair Hitchen, also introduced a short and moving “In Memoriam” video dedicated to IFEAT Members who have passed away since the Bali Conference. During the session, there were also reports on the ICATS and Reading University perfumery and flavour education programmes supported by IFEAT, and the presentation of the IFEAT Best Student Medals to Holly King (ICATS) and Marcella Di Mauro (Reading).
Following the IFEAT Business Session was Kim Bleimann’s much anticipated wide ranging IFEAT 2022 Medal Lecture entitled Catalysts of Change. Kim reflected on his nearly 50 years in the industry as Owner and Chairman of Berjé. In addition, during the past two decades, he has played an influential role in helping guide IFEAT’s growth. His presentation was littered with quotes but some of his own words reflected the sentiment of his lecture, namely “Thunderstorms are building all around us” in references to the EU’s Green Deal (see below) and “Death by regulation is real”. Certainly, existing and forthcoming regulations bore the brunt of concerns regarding the future of the F&F industry, citing especially the impact of REACH and the EU Green Deal, and the need to intensify lobbying to bring about change. In particular, he stressed how innovation, a vital growth stimulus for the F&F sector, was being threatened by regulation, mergers and acquisitions, and the reduced availability of ingredients for the perfumers’ palette.
The afternoon session saw three online presentations dealing with specific aspects of the F&F sectors in China, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. The first was The Road to Innovation of Oriental Aesthetics: Current Status and Trends in the Chinese Fragrance Market by Zhaokai Wu dealing with how fragrance products are leading an emerging consumer market in China. The second provided a detailed walk through the production and processing of cinnamon oil in Sri Lanka: Technological Development in the Cinnamon Oil Industry & Modern Usage of Essential Oils by Ravindu Runage. The last of the day was entitled Collaboration with the Community Forest User Group: a Tried-and-True Method of Promoting Transparency, Accountability and Sustainable Forest Management by Prasun Satyal.
Wednesday morning was devoted to an excellent but worrying overview of The EU Green Deal and its impact on Flavours & Fragrances: The Domino Effect. The advent of the EU Green Deal, originally presented in December 2019, and two of its eight strategic pillars, namely the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) and the Farm to Fork (F2F) initiative, will set new boundaries for the flavour, fragrance, cosmetics, and aromatherapy industries.
In all the seven presentations – a first for IFEAT because it was a mixture of in-person and online speakers – provided clear, concise, and informative information on different aspects of the complex Green Deal. Each was given by a leading industry figure, some of whom were industry association heads. These were followed by a Q&A session moderated by Sven Ballschmiede, Executive Director of the International Organization of the Flavor Industry (IOFI).
Jens-Achim Protzen of EFEO and a member of the IFEAT EC, gave a brief introduction to the session which was followed by Alexander Mohr, who introduced the eight strategic pillars, and the potential impact of the CSS and F2F initiatives on the flavour sector. Martina Bianchini, who had recently written an article on the Green Deal in IFEATWORLD, presented IFRA’s strategy to defend natural and synthetic ingredients in the context of the Green Deal ranging from the business impact assessment to the development of relevant criteria for the “Essential Use” concept and IFRA’s high level political outreach. Charles Laroche reviewed the implementation of the Green Deal and what the concept of essentiality may eventually mean for essential oils and natural complex substances. Richard Meads discussed the concept of “essentiality”, which so far is without any formal assessment of its feasibility, benefits, impacts, or consequences for other policy objectives, yet it is being progressively proposed at EU-level as a new regulatory principle. Andrew Fasey discussed the legal framework and practical implications of the concept of essentiality. Finally, Graham Ellis ended the speaker session by addressing specific hazard endpoints. All are extremely important and current issues that everyone in the industry should be talking about and need to be addressed and discussed.
While IFEAT has supported the overarching goals of the EU Green Deal for sustainable growth and remains committed together with other industry Associations to support the EU in making this transition to achieve its policy ambitions, IFEAT also believes that the F&F industry deserves special consideration in EU legislation and that consistency between European and international standards is key. The novel concept of “Essential Use”, which is currently not defined within EU law but which would set the premise to legitimise state intervention to direct or control the development and use of groups of chemicals and technologies, is of particular concern.
The round table discussion has become a feature of IFEAT Conferences and on Wednesday afternoon Dominique Roques (fresh from a successful book signing the previous evening) moderated a discussion on the issues surrounding Certifications: a major step forward or extra burden and cost? Some 27 delegates discussed a wide range of key issues relating to the rising tide of certifications and their impact on the producers, factories, supply chains and brands.
The final day saw a range of diverse, informative, and entertaining presentations, namely:
- Process Optimisation; Value Enhancement & Total Value Recovery in Essential Oils & Botanical Extracts Production by Shanavas Bavu
- Can the F&F Industry Help Fight Deforestation in the Amazon? by Eduardo Mattoso
- A Deeper Look into Vietnamese Cinnamon: from Seeds to Global Market by Dr. Chuc Nguyen
- Synthetic Menthol Used in the Global Flavour and Fragrance industries and the Effect on Natural Menthol Production by Ajay Kumar Jain
- The Production of Patagonian Essential Oils in Argentina: Compared Varieties of Douglas Fir from North and South Pacific Areas by Sergio Sepiurka
- The session ended with an excellent presentation by Henry Gill, Crop/Market Report: Buying better in a turbulent market. We anticipate that these crop market assessments will become a regular feature of IFEAT Conferences.
Running alongside the lecture programme was the trade exhibition, taking place over four days. Some 30 companies from a range of countries participated on site, and five companies with online only exhibition booths. Certainly, the trade exhibition proved to be a good opportunity for companies to meet both current business contacts and customers and make new ones. There were also 41 company meeting rooms, which were sold out. In addition, the regular and popular Flavour and Fragrance Workshop continued this year led by Michael Zviely which took place over one full day and was sold out.
The final Conference event, as always, was the Closing Banquet held on Thursday evening at the spacious Vancouver Conference Centre. The Conference Chair, Alan Brown, besides thanking the many Conference sponsors and speakers, invited on stage those who helped to make the conference such a success, particularly the Local Organising Committee and the IFEAT Secretariat after which many people took to the dance floor and were entertained by the excellent band Phonix.
During the past three years, IFEAT has managed and negotiated through very difficult times. The return of the in-person IFEAT Conference suggests that there is light at the end of the very dark tunnel of 2020 and 2021. Vancouver showed the resilience and ability to adapt in difficult times. As the Conference moves between continents and with new companies and countries participating, this gives a clear indication that IFEAT can continue to go from strength to strength. Following on this trajectory, Berlin in October 2023 should be a spectacular affair – and we look forward to seeing you there!