Beauty Conferences in North America

Beauty conferences in North America cover everything from medical aesthetics and dermatology to salon business, lashes, permanent makeup and massage. The USA in particular has a deep calendar of congresses and summits where you can learn the latest techniques and meet leaders in your field.

Aesthetics is the strongest area. The South Beach Symposium and The Aesthetic Meeting bring clinicians to Miami Beach in February and April, the Multispecialty Aesthetic Conference and The Aesthetic Show take place in Las Vegas in spring and summer, and Music City SCALE meets in Nashville each May. Las Vegas also hosts the ISPA Conference and Expo for spa leaders each March and MedSpa Pro in December. For salon business, Serious Business meets at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans each January. Lash and PMU artists have the Lash Boss Summit in Austin, LASHCON in Pasadena and the SPCP Convention in Tulsa, while massage therapists can attend the AMTA National Convention in Savannah. In Canada, the ESI Shows and the CBAM Congress in Vancouver round out the year.

Every beauty conference in North America is listed below with dates, venues and who can attend, so you can choose your next congress.

Travelling to a conference

Most conferences are held in hotels or convention centers in cities with strong air links. In Las Vegas, the conferences are at resorts on the Strip, close to Harry Reid International Airport. Miami Beach venues are a short drive from Miami International Airport, and Vancouver's Canada Place is on the waterfront, reached from the airport by the Canada Line.

Best seasons

• Winter: Serious Business, ODAC, the South Beach Symposium and AMWC Americas.
• Spring: ISPA, The Aesthetic Meeting, the Lash Boss Summit and Music City SCALE.
• Summer and autumn: The Aesthetic Show, the AMTA National Convention, LASHCON and the Science of Skin Summit.

Tips for delegates

• Many aesthetics meetings are for licensed practitioners only, so have your credentials ready when you register.
• Book the host hotel early, as conference rates sell out.
• Check whether CE credits are offered if you need them for your licence.
• Plan time for the exhibition hall, where you can try new devices and products.