Pisa, a bridge between continents
For two days, from June 30 to July 1, 2026, Pisa’s waterfront became the meeting place for the global cosmetics industry. The Grand Hotel Continental hosted the 9th edition of the IPCE Conference, the event that for years has served as a scientific bridge between two consecutive editions of the IFSCC Congresses, under the auspices of SICC—the Italian Society of Cosmetic Chemistry and Sciences.
On stage, this year’s theme— “Beyond the Future: Science Leading Change” —was more than just a slogan: researchers from Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Australia, and Europe spent two days discussing where the science of beauty is truly headed.
When a Robot Takes the Podium
Among the presentations that electrified the room, one in particular broke the mold: the roundtable discussion with ABEL, the empathetic humanoid robot developedby the University of Pisa, which—under the university’s auspices—explored how artificial intelligence and neuroscience are reshaping the way cosmetic research is conducted.
Joining him was a lineup of internationally renowned keynote speakers: R. McPherson (Eclipse Ingredients, Australia) discussed the rise of A-Beauty, while T. Ezure (Shiseido) guided the audience beyond the visible skin to its “intangible world.” Four parallel sessions (A, B, C, D) covered topics ranging from cellular senescence to the new frontiers of sun protection, all the way to the latest-generation skin organoid models.
Organizational and financial administration, registration and hotel booking platform, direct coordination of 30 international speakers—including flights , hotels, and each speaker’s logistical needs. This behind-the-scenes yet meticulous work allowed the scientific committee to focus solely on the content.
On-site, the Promoest team managed the hostesses and stewards throughout the entire duration of the conference and gala dinner, handled the production of materials (customized badges and lanyards), and managed relationships with industry sponsors, from Davines to Intercos, and from Complife to Saes Chemicals.
Behind the Scenes, Promoest
Beyond the sessions
Science didn’t stop at the conference rooms. The Gala Dinner at Bistrot Dell’Opera, in the heart of Pisa, kicked off the evenings; the Farewell Dinner at Mary’s Club, with our feet practically in the sand, brought them to a close. In between, The Marble Experience took some of the delegates on a tour of Tuscany, far from microphones and slides.
The result: a conference that combined scientific rigor, an international scope, and Italian hospitality—with Promoest orchestrating every single detail, from the initial contact with the speakers to the final toast by the sea.
