CMA Annual Conference and 19th Annual Industry Awards Dinner Wrap Up

CMA would like to thank those who attended the 2018 Annual Conference and 19th Annual Industry Awards. We are proud to say that attendance at both events was our highest to date, thanks to the continued support of our members and event delegates.

For the second year running, both events were held at the picturesque event space Dockside. Dockside is superb venue offering stunning water views which did not disappoint on yet another perfect day in Sydney. The venue was packed to capacity with over 250 delegates at the Conference, and over 400 guests at the Industry Awards Dinner.

We, once again, were delighted to welcome a delegation from China, led by our friends and colleagues at the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Medicines & Health Products (CCCMHPIE). This year, the CCCMHPIE attended as an exhibitor with the aim of promoting greater engagement between our professional networks.

We would like to thank our speakers, sponsors and exhibitors for helping to make these events possible each year.

Annual Conference
Our Conference has secured its reputation as the premier event in the complementary medicines industry calendar. This event grows larger every year, bolstered by the increased global presence of the Australian complementary medicines industry and rise of CMA’s international profile.

We were delighted to present an excellent line up of key global speakers and notable Australian presenters, with our program featuring a range of topical issues related to our industry. This included presentations from:

Adjunct Professor John Skerritt, Deputy Secretary, Australian Department of Health, who provided delegates with an update on the major reforms in place for the regulation of complementary medicines in Australia.

Adjunct Professor Michael Smith, whose experience as a former regulator and now as an internationally recognised global leader in regulation, policy development and research programs perfectly positioned him to discuss the global regulation of complementary medicines and the continually changing landscape.

Dr Mary Hardy, MD, Wellness Works, Los Angeles, who discussed the concept of research, its intent, context and value, the development of clinical evidence for herbal medicines and dietary supplements, and shared insights into ways of engaging with patients to collect data.

Zhang Zhongpeng, Direct of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Medicines & Health Products (CCCHMPIE), who provided an update on the development and trade performance of China’s nutraceutical industry, features of the health food market in China, and the main changes in policy and management. 

Nicole Bijlsma, CEO of the Australian College of Environmental Studies, who provided delegates with some food for thought about their own health by discussing the health hazards in the built environment, including mould, electromagnetic fields and toxic chemicals.

Professor Alan Bensoussan, Director at NICM, who provided an update on the new home for the NICM Health Research Institute at the Westmead precinct, one of the largest health, education, research and training precincts in the Southern Hemisphere. It offers a unique opportunity to build capacity for a robust complementary medicine sector in Australia and internationally.

Ben Lazzaro, Chief Executive of the Australian Made Campaign, discussed the promotion and administration of the nation’s  iconic green-and-gold Australian Made, Australian Grown (AMAG) logo and the challenges that have resulted from the ACCC’s new rules and interpretation of Country of Origin labelling.

Thank you, again, to all of our speakers, who made the day so informative and engaging.

Presentations for the Annual Conference have been made available to delegates via email. If you did not receive this email and would like to view the presentations, please contact us.

Sponsors, Exhibitors and Prizes
CMA would like to again extend our thanks and appreciation to all our sponsors, supporters and exhibitors at the events – in particular our major conference and industry awards sponsors, Lipa Pharmaceuticals and DSM Nutritional Products.

This year the conference welcomed 16 exhibitors, along with an espresso coffee cart thanks to sponsor Advanced Wellness Regulatory Solutions.

We would like to congratulate the winners of the Passport Competition, and thank On Q Recruitment, CS Executive Group, Mettler Toledo, GMP Pharmaceuticals and Insurance Made Easy for providing additional prizes.

19th Annual Industry Awards
A full day of conferencing was topped off with the Welcome Reception on the stunning balcony at Dockside, and the 19th Annual Industry Awards which was proudly sponsored by DSM Nutritional Products. The Awards Dinner was the perfect opportunity for guests to unwind and network with industry colleagues to celebrate the outstanding success of our industry contributors.

Guests were greeted with upbeat entertainment, singer Fiona Treloar and her fantastic band. The band took the stage again at the end of the night and had many of the guests dancing until closing time.

As always, all categories were highly contested and we congratulate all the winners, in particular the winner of the Lady Cilento Award – Henry Osiecki.
Formal proceedings were closed with CMA CEO Carl Gibson taking to the stage in a panda costume for a comedy routine.

Click here to view the photographs from the Awards Dinner
 
Industry Award Winners
 
The Lady Cilento Award for Lifetime Achievement
Henry Osiecki

Social Selling Award
Amway

Most Outstanding Marketing Campaign
Blackmores

High Quality Manufacturer of the Year (Sponsored by DSM)
Vitex Pharmaceuticals

The Vince Russell Retailer of the Year
Go Vita Warrnambool

Most Outstanding Contribution to Research, Education or Training (Sponsored by Nutrition Care)
NICM

Industry Contributor of the Year
Dr Amie Steel

Exporter of the Year (Sponsored by Transchem)
Blackmores

Innovator of the Year (Sponsored by Foodsource)
My Vitamin Packs

Quality Raw Material Suppler of the Year (Sponsored by Network Nutrition)
Pharmako Biotechnologies

Sponsors & Exhibitors