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Sessions provided a broad range of learning opportunities for delegates, which included how to give a great first impression, marketing skills, using social media, and VAT and insurance guidance. US author and international commentator Wendy Lewis presented two sessions over the weekend, which highlighted the importance of social media and visual content. Reflecting on her talk, she said, “People were really engaged and interested – social media is a really hot topic right now and marketing your clinic is of utmost importance. The attendance really showed that.” Following the successful programme, co-director of Church Pharmacy Zain Bhojani said, “The delegates have been very interested in what the speakers have to say, so it’s nice to know they are getting something out of it and learning something that is a bit different to the clinical side of things. Without a doubt ACE is my favourite show.” KEY ISSUES IN 2015 The exclusive Question Time debate on Saturday evening, free to all attendees and sponsored by 3D-lipo Ltd, aimed to highlight this year’s most current and important industry issues. Former BBC presenter Peter Sissons chaired the event, with a panel that included Wendy Lewis, Mr Dalvi Humzah, plastic surgeon Mr Paul Banwell, professional body chairs Sharon Bennett and Dr Paul Charlson, and Health Education England (HEE) modality lead Andrew Rankin. The HEE recommendations for qualification requirements were first to be discussed, with Mr Humzah insisting that it is “up to us as an industry to set up official qualification courses,” while Bennett said “If Europe can agree a consensus I can’t see a problem.” Regulation and accreditation were major factors in the debate, with Dr Charlson arguing that the General Medical Coucil are interested in accreditation for cosmetic practitioners, in contrast to many opinions, while Lewis raised the importance of policing your online reputation. One audience member questioned whether the panel felt positive about the potential for change in the industry, to which Rankin said, “The commitment we all have to improving standards is inspiring.” Bennett was also adamant that the future is bright and that “the climate will change and the consumer will be looking for accredited practitioners.” To conclude Question Time, each panelist offered a final thought. Bennett told delegates, “Join an association, lone practitioners are dangerous.” LATEST INNOVATIONS The exhibition floor was the perfect opportunity for delegates to meet with the top suppliers, gain valuable business partners and discover the latest product innovations. Lorna Bowes, director of headline sponsor AestheticSource, said, “The Expert Clinics seemed packed each day with a variety of topics covered, and the format of ‘clinic sessions’ on the main agenda packed the auditorium. This was particularly impressive given that the Merz sponsored sessions with Dr Arthur Swift were also packed – there were an awful lot of delegates in
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total!” She added, “For me the highlight, as last year, was the industry debate – time for people to air views and raise contentious issues. Congratulations on providing a platform like this to our industry.” David Gower of Med-fx, registration and consumables partner of ACE 2015, also praised the quality of the exhibition, which drew in huge numbers of professional attendees. “We see this year a much more professional, much more vibrant exhibition,” he said. “I feel that there has been a lot of interest in products, not just the products that we’re offering but in general, and people who are approaching have been very business-like and professional in manner.” Among the exceptional feedback that was received during and after ACE, one of the most prominent points that delegates consistenly praised was how well the event addressed the need to keep up to date with the latest treatment techniques and new innovations. One plastic surgeon emphasised that, “We need to update ourselves and learn what is available to give the best possible service to the patient.” This was widely agreed by attendees, with a cosmetic doctor adding, “Products change, techniques change, knowledge changes and unless you’re keeping up to date you are really not being the best practitioner you can be – and you’re not really giving your patients the best. So that’s the reason you need to attend conferences like this.” Reflecting on a weekend packed with extensive, high quality education, a nurse prescriber further commented, “This is actually one of my favourite
conferences; ACE squeezes so much into the time we have, it’s been very beneficial on all levels. I’m an experienced nurse prescriber and have been injecting for 16 years, but I still learn a lot every time I come and would definitely recommend ACE to colleagues. I’ll be back again next year.” The success of this year’s event has firmly cemented ACE as the leading medical aesthetics conference and exhibition in the UK and, as such, planning for ACE 2016 is already underway. Cameron concluded, “In view of this success, we are now already working on next year’s event to ensure that delegates once again will be given the opportunity to attend a conference that perfectly complements their practice, and inspires them to push innovative boundaries within aesthetics.”
To stay up to date with the latest news and developments for ACE 2016, register at www.aestheticsjournal.com.
Reproduced from Aesthetics | Volume 2/Issue 5 - April 2015