I'm a little late getting this post out to you all considering the conference was in Apr/May, but I wanted it to be viewed in the Saponifier first. So better late than never, right?
The Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild (HSMG) held their annual conference in Denver, Colorado on April 30th – May 2nd of this year to a sold out crowd of 350 attendees. From top-notch speakers to extravagant parties, no stone was left unturned by the unbelievable volunteer staff of the guild.
The Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild, formed in 1998, is the leading organization for soapmakers, promoting handcrafted soaps through its website, magazine advertisements, and searchable soapmaker resource. Membership is open to all who make and sell handcrafted soap and vendors who provide products and/or services to handcrafted soapmakers. They also provide affordable product and general liability insurance through a negotiated group insurance policy which is one of many member benefits.
Each year the HSMG hosts an annual conference at different locations throughout the United States on a rotating basis. Conferences are usually three days and include seminars, classes and workshops on a variety of topics relating to the soapmaking industry. Vendors display their wares and soapmakers showcase their work in contests.
At the start of the conference, attendees went through a brief registration process where they all received a large bag of free products, samples, coupons, and more. Some of the many items included were cups, mugs, soapmaking kits, fragrances, full size molds, clipboards, packaging materials, soapmaking tools, labels, and sample products, all donated by generous vendors and the HSMG.
A jam-packed schedule of top industry speakers were presented throughout 3 full days, followed by 3 large parties, hosted by Wholesale Supplies Plus, Essential Wholesale, and the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild.
Speakers included Carol Moseley Braun, an Ambassador to New Zealand, former US Senator and owner of Good Food Organics™, a premium, Certified USDA Organic and Biodynamic products company. Her speech was so full of quotes of inspiration, people could hardly keep up with their notes and Twitter tweets. A few quotes from her speech include the following:
• What you do, what you say, what you think matters, and your actions will make things better, or not, for many more people than you will ever know.
• Sustainability means to “be careful” of one another, and of our planet, and of future generations who will live here. Sustainability is simply a newer word to express our obligation of stewardship, or our duty to be mindful of our world.
• Little steps, quiet interactions, personal connections and contributions are sometimes all that are required to shape the opportunities and direction of another person, or community or nation.
The guest list of speakers was extensive, and while this article cannot touch on all of the lectures and workshops, I would like to highlight a few. Debbie May or Wholesale Supplies Plus discussed creativity versus compliance when labeling and marketing products. Everyone was given a spiral bound book filled with information from the lecture. Robert Tisserand, a renowned leader in aromatherapy, enlightened the audience with a presentation on the safe and effective use of essential oils in soap. Alison Covarrubias of Hatch Network, a business school for women entrepreneurs, discussed branding and taking your business from passion to profits. Other
speakers included Cindy Jones and Kevin Dunn, who both discussed the chemistry of soap, Joshua Onysko and Kayla Firoavonati who shared their own business success stories, and Marla Bosworth, Jamila White and Donna Maria Coles Johnson who all discussed various aspects of promoting your business.
Workshops included liquid soapmaking by Anne-Marie Faiola, melt and pout techniques by Debbie Chialtas, cold process soap techniques by Amy Kalinchuk and Kelly Bloom, and labeling requirements by Marie Gale. By the end of each day, attendees’ heads were spinning with the amount of knowledge gained throughout the conference.
Extravagant parties were thrown each evening, by Wholesale Supplies Plus, Essential Wholesale, and the HSMG. Most meals were provided, as well as $17,000 worth of raffle and door prizes from many generous vendors, small businesses, and individuals. Top prizes ranged from SoapMelters PRIMO 20 Gallon Melting Tank, Essential Labs Custom Formulation, and an HSMG all expense paid trip to the 2011 conference down to books, products, supplies, and services from every imaginable vendor.
Additionally, the HSMG held their annual meeting and a Legislation and Compliance Panel moderated by Donna Maria Coles Johnson, in which various legislative issues were discussed and questions from audience members were answered. Last but not least, soapmakers had the opportunity to attend two different certification testings. The HSMG is the only organization within the bath and beauty business that has structured a certification program for soapmakers masterminded by Elaine Koronich. Certification is voluntary and promotes standards and continuing education for those in the industry.
Between the valuable information from knowledgeable speakers to the networking parties, the annual conference is not to be missed. The opportunities to network with other professionals, learn new skills or understand important legislature, and even take exams for the soapmaker certifications are all benefits of attending the conference, not to mention the fun-filled memories you will make with new friends. Start planning to attend the 2011 conference in Miami, FL May 18-20th. For more information see the HSMG website at http://www.soapguild.org/.
Yay, the next conference is only an hour's drive from me. I'll definitely be attending.
The Bonnie Bath Co.
Natural, handmade bath and body products
The Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild (HSMG) held their annual conference in Denver, Colorado on April 30th – May 2nd of this year to a sold out crowd of 350 attendees. From top-notch speakers to extravagant parties, no stone was left unturned by the unbelievable volunteer staff of the guild.
The Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild, formed in 1998, is the leading organization for soapmakers, promoting handcrafted soaps through its website, magazine advertisements, and searchable soapmaker resource. Membership is open to all who make and sell handcrafted soap and vendors who provide products and/or services to handcrafted soapmakers. They also provide affordable product and general liability insurance through a negotiated group insurance policy which is one of many member benefits.
Each year the HSMG hosts an annual conference at different locations throughout the United States on a rotating basis. Conferences are usually three days and include seminars, classes and workshops on a variety of topics relating to the soapmaking industry. Vendors display their wares and soapmakers showcase their work in contests.
At the start of the conference, attendees went through a brief registration process where they all received a large bag of free products, samples, coupons, and more. Some of the many items included were cups, mugs, soapmaking kits, fragrances, full size molds, clipboards, packaging materials, soapmaking tools, labels, and sample products, all donated by generous vendors and the HSMG.A jam-packed schedule of top industry speakers were presented throughout 3 full days, followed by 3 large parties, hosted by Wholesale Supplies Plus, Essential Wholesale, and the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild.
Speakers included Carol Moseley Braun, an Ambassador to New Zealand, former US Senator and owner of Good Food Organics™, a premium, Certified USDA Organic and Biodynamic products company. Her speech was so full of quotes of inspiration, people could hardly keep up with their notes and Twitter tweets. A few quotes from her speech include the following:• What you do, what you say, what you think matters, and your actions will make things better, or not, for many more people than you will ever know.
• Sustainability means to “be careful” of one another, and of our planet, and of future generations who will live here. Sustainability is simply a newer word to express our obligation of stewardship, or our duty to be mindful of our world.• Little steps, quiet interactions, personal connections and contributions are sometimes all that are required to shape the opportunities and direction of another person, or community or nation.
The guest list of speakers was extensive, and while this article cannot touch on all of the lectures and workshops, I would like to highlight a few. Debbie May or Wholesale Supplies Plus discussed creativity versus compliance when labeling and marketing products. Everyone was given a spiral bound book filled with information from the lecture. Robert Tisserand, a renowned leader in aromatherapy, enlightened the audience with a presentation on the safe and effective use of essential oils in soap. Alison Covarrubias of Hatch Network, a business school for women entrepreneurs, discussed branding and taking your business from passion to profits. Other
speakers included Cindy Jones and Kevin Dunn, who both discussed the chemistry of soap, Joshua Onysko and Kayla Firoavonati who shared their own business success stories, and Marla Bosworth, Jamila White and Donna Maria Coles Johnson who all discussed various aspects of promoting your business.Workshops included liquid soapmaking by Anne-Marie Faiola, melt and pout techniques by Debbie Chialtas, cold process soap techniques by Amy Kalinchuk and Kelly Bloom, and labeling requirements by Marie Gale. By the end of each day, attendees’ heads were spinning with the amount of knowledge gained throughout the conference.
Extravagant parties were thrown each evening, by Wholesale Supplies Plus, Essential Wholesale, and the HSMG. Most meals were provided, as well as $17,000 worth of raffle and door prizes from many generous vendors, small businesses, and individuals. Top prizes ranged from SoapMelters PRIMO 20 Gallon Melting Tank, Essential Labs Custom Formulation, and an HSMG all expense paid trip to the 2011 conference down to books, products, supplies, and services from every imaginable vendor.Additionally, the HSMG held their annual meeting and a Legislation and Compliance Panel moderated by Donna Maria Coles Johnson, in which various legislative issues were discussed and questions from audience members were answered. Last but not least, soapmakers had the opportunity to attend two different certification testings. The HSMG is the only organization within the bath and beauty business that has structured a certification program for soapmakers masterminded by Elaine Koronich. Certification is voluntary and promotes standards and continuing education for those in the industry.
Between the valuable information from knowledgeable speakers to the networking parties, the annual conference is not to be missed. The opportunities to network with other professionals, learn new skills or understand important legislature, and even take exams for the soapmaker certifications are all benefits of attending the conference, not to mention the fun-filled memories you will make with new friends. Start planning to attend the 2011 conference in Miami, FL May 18-20th. For more information see the HSMG website at http://www.soapguild.org/.
Yay, the next conference is only an hour's drive from me. I'll definitely be attending.
The Bonnie Bath Co.
Natural, handmade bath and body products
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