Apr 23, 2011

NCA Annual Meeting Draws Hundreds

Washington, DC –More than 300 individuals representing North America’s leading candle manufacturers, suppliers and distributors gathered in Las Vegas April 5-7 to attend the National Candle Association’s Annual Meeting & Trade Show, gaining new insight into the challenges, innovations and opportunities impacting the industry.

The three-day event, including presentations from marketing, technical and regulatory experts, drew standing-room-only audiences of industry stalwarts and newcomers alike. Meeting attendees crowded committee and business sessions to learn more about key issues impacting candle manufacturing and sales. Of particular interest were overviews on Canada’s Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) and upcoming candle labeling regulations, the FTC Green Guides, ASTM candle fire-safety standards, the ingredient disclosure movement, and the anti-dumping duty on candles from China.

Two popular presentations focused on lifestyle and design trends influencing product development and marketing opportunities in the intermediate term. Michelle Lamb, editorial director of The Trend Curve, predicted trends in color, pattern, interior design and lifestyle that will power consumer expectations and retail sales through 2013. Virginia Bonofiglio, senior perfumer for the Fashion Institute of Technology, and Bob Sansone of Arylessence, looked at key lifestyle and cultural trends influencing consumer preferences in home fragrancing and resulting prospects for brand leaders. For the technical side of the industry, “Looking Inside: Examining Crystal Morphology of Waxes” by Steve Bell of The International Group (IGI) compared the similarities and differences in the structure of paraffin, soy and palm waxes. Dr. Robert Harrington of Blyth, Inc. reviewed the upcoming changes for the Global Harmonization System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals and its impact on candle manufacturers and suppliers. Alex Norton of Beeson & Associates, Inc. addressed the economic outlook for vegetable wax.

The perennial highlight of the NCA Annual Meeting – the supplier’s trade show – drew virtually every meeting attendee to walk the show floor, learn about new product innovations and do business. Some 40 companies exhibited, including leading wax and wick suppliers, fragrance houses, equipment manufacturers, and container suppliers.

“The NCA Annual Meeting presents our members with the unique opportunity to network, discuss strategic issues facing the industry, and learn about the innovations and technical advances that will impact their business in the upcoming year,” said Frederic Contino of Colonial Candle and the newly elected president of the association.

The National Candle Association is the major trade association representing U.S. candle manufacturers and their suppliers. NCA is recognized as the leading technical authority on candles and candle manufacturing. Its members are dedicated to quality formulations, testing and manufacturing processes, and to upholding consumer confidence through a commitment to candle quality, safety and science.