Apr 25, 2012

NCA Annual Meeting & Trade Show “Still the One” for the Candle Industry

North America’s leading candle manufacturers, suppliers and distributors gathered in Las Vegas April 16-19 for the National Candle Association’s annual meeting and trade show to exchange information on the business challenges, regulatory developments and design trends impacting the industry.

More than 300 attendees packed the National Candle Association (NCA) committee meetings, technical sessions, and networking events during the four-day program. In addition, the NCA supplier’s trade show, held in conjunction with the annual meeting, found candle manufacturers viewing the latest product innovations and conducting business with leading wax companies, wick suppliers, fragrance houses and equipment and container manufacturers.

Overall, participants seemed to agree that 2012 will be a solid year for candle sales, as consumers continue to loosen their wallets for the kind of affordable gift, relaxation and home décor items that candles provide.

This year’s technical presentations on the Global Harmonization System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), California’s green chemistry initiative, and the Lean Six Sigma principles for improving business operations drew standing-room-only crowds. A hands-on workshop allowing participant teams to contrive new products and related marketing strategies based on future trend directions also proved highly popular.

The next NCA annual meeting will be held July 8-11, 2013, in Hollywood, Fla., in conjunction with the triennial World Candle Congress, which brings together candle manufacturer and suppliers from North America, Latin America and Europe.