On April 28 - 30, 2008 The Handcrafted Soapmaker's Guild held the 12th Annual Conference at The Inn at Essex, Burlington, Vermont. The Conference was a huge success; it was the highest attended conference in HSMG history and the largest soap conference in North America with 220 attendees from 35 states and 6 countries. Over 60 suppliers and manufacturerers contributed to the conference by sponsoring or donating and the results were evident.
2008 Conference Video
(If the video downloads slowly or gaps in the display, start then pause it; the video will continue to download and you can watch it clear through.)
Thanks to Our Sponsors
We would like to extend a HUGE Thank YOU to our generous sponsors, some of whom were present at this event. It is due to their support that we are able to put on such a professional conference each year. It's a little known fact that the conference fees have been set to cover the food, space, equipment, speakers and other overhead. It's the sponsorship income that gives makes it possible to go all out with the gifts and other extras. Please visit their websites to see what they might have to offer your business.
Manufacturing and supplying a wide variety of fragrance and essential oils, dried botanicals and other products for use in soaps, candles, and other cosmetic products.
Preparations kicked into high gear on Sunday as the first attendees started to arrive. Registration began at 4:00PM, the attendees were given all of their goodies sponsored in part by Essential Wholesale, From Nature With Love, Mold Market and Soap Melters. Each attendee was given a registration folder containing the Conference Program Book, a name badge, a clipboard, a water bottle and finally a goodie bag just bursting with samples from our over 60 contributors.
Some attendees were returning from previous conferences and some were coming for the very first time. The anticipation from all was palpable as people greeted old friends and made new ones.
Certification
At 5:30PM the HSMG held the first ever Soapmaker Certification Exam for CP/HP and MP soapmakers. The Certification idea began at the 2006 Conference in Portland, Oregon and countless hours of volunteer work have gone in to making these first tests possible.
Certified MP Soapmakers
Certified CP/HP Soapmakers
Congratulations to our newly certified soapmakers!
Lisa Adams, CP/HP Soapmaker
Wanda Alexander, CP/HP Soapmaker
Maryann Alvino, CP/HP Soapmaker
Elizabeth Beckett, CP/HP Soapmaker
Susan Blouin, CP/HP Soapmaker
Julia Bundy, CP/HP Soapmaker
Yvonne Bunevich, CP/HP Soapmaker
Catherine Colberg, CP/HP Soapmaker and MP Soapmaker
Hasina Dadamiya, CP/HP Soapmaker
Gillian DeConto, CP/HP Soapmaker
Jennifer Dionne, CP/HP Soapmaker
Barbara Downey, CP/HP Soapmaker and MP Soapmaker
Kevin Dunn, CP/HP Soapmaker
Susan Emery, CP/HP Soapmaker
Terest Frederick, CP/HP Soapmaker
Marie Gale, CP/HP Soapmaker
Maria Gelnett, CP/HP Soapmaker
Nina Gerhold, CP/HP Soapmaker
Wanda Gillen, CP/HP Soapmaker
Delores Harris, CP/HP Soapmaker
Jordan Henderson, CP/HP Soapmaker
Monique Hodgkinson, CP/HP Soapmaker and MP Soapmaker
