The 67th CIDESCO World Congress, hosted by CIDESCO USA from September 19-23, 2019, was a huge success and one of the largest World Congresses with delegations from 23 countries around the world.
The theme was “The Architecture of Beauty,” which was fitting as throughout the event the revolutionary City of Chicago was showcased. Spa and wellness professionals came for advanced education, lectures and the latest on industry technology on display.
The five-day event held meetings with CIDESCO Examiners, Schools, a General Assembly and Expo. Newly elected CIDESCO International President Sandy Fuhr of Cape Town, South Africa, and Anna-Cari Gund, immediate CIDESCO International past president, were among special guests along with CIDESCO Diplomates, Board of Directors, Delegates and Associate Members.
The World Congress offered a lively opening reception, a cultural evening on the Chicago river and “The Architecture of Beauty” gala. Education covered technique, ingredients, trends, procedures and business building tracks.
The World Congress Educational Summit was packed with presentations by Samuel Shatkin Jr. (USA), Lydia Sarfati (USA), Andrea Bovero (Italy), Jens Bergstrom (Scandinavia), Mark Lees (USA), Carol Phillips (USA), Jacqueline Kennedy (Zurich), Elaine Sterling (USA) and Cynthia Malcom (USA). Sponsors included Repêchage (Legacy Sponsor), Carol Phillips BeauteeSmarts, Edgar Renee, LAM SKIN Care Products, KPS Essentials, Pibbs Industries and Pivot Point International. Media sponsors included American Spa, DAYSPA, Estetica and MedEsthetics.
“For me, the 67th CIDESCO World Congress was educational, inspiring and a call for action. Through this gathering of education and business leaders in esthetics, it is clear that our greatest work and challenge, as we move forward into the 21st century, is to continue to develop and elevate educational standards both in the United States and all around the world,” said Lydia Sarfati, Chairman of CIDESCO Section USA and Repêchage Founder and CEO. “In addition, it is my greatest honor to be this year’s recipient of the CIDESCO Award Médaille d’Esthétique.”
“What an incredibly fun weekend of professional comradeship with fellow beauty and skin therapists from all over the world,” said Mark Lees, MD, World Congress educator, CIDESCO Diplomate and Mark Lees Skin Care Founder and CEO. “The administrative team of CIDESCO USA, and Chair Lydia Sarfati are to be commended for a well-planned, exciting, and informative event!”
The Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie (CIDESCO) is the world’s major international beauty therapy association and the world standard for beauty and spa therapy. CIDESCO is represented by leading schools and colleges that offer the acclaimed CIDESCO standards and qualifications in over 40 countries across five continents.
Attending the CIDESCO World Congress was a chance for guests to meet new colleagues, to exchange ideas, knowledge and gain expertise. And now, with the CIDESCO certification, estheticians in the U.S. will be on the forefront of global exchange of professional information and experiences.