*Badges Required for Entry*
Join us as we open the World Perfumery Congress 2026 with an unforgettable evening celebrating the art, science, and business of fragrance. The Welcome Reception sets the tone for three days of discovery, innovation, and collaboration within the global perfumery community.

Mingle with industry leaders, master perfumers, and peers from around the world in a vibrant setting that reflects the creativity and elegance of our craft. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and libations while reconnecting with colleagues and making new connections that will shape the future of fragrance.

This is your opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and immerse yourself in the world of scent as we kick off an extraordinary WPC 2026 experience. The Memory Garden located behind the Portola Hotel

Location: The Memory Garden located behind the Portola Hotel
Dress Code: Business Casual with a touch of chic
We recommend flat or wedge shoes for your comfort, as the terrain may be uneven.

Let’s raise a glass to innovation, artistry, and community—see you there!

This year’s ceremony marks a historic occasion with the inaugural WPC Exhibitor Awards, recognizing outstanding innovation, design, and engagement among our exhibiting partners. 

2026 WPC Exhibitor Awards Categories include:

• Most Innovative Ingredient
• Standout Fragrance Technology
• Eco Champion

The ceremony will also feature the presentation of the American Society of Perfumers Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring an individual whose remarkable career and creative contributions have left a lasting impact on the craft and culture of perfumery.

Set against the inspiring backdrop of the World Perfumery Congress, this ceremony is both a celebration of excellence and a testament to the passion that fuels our shared pursuit of scent innovation.

Join us in celebrating those who make fragrance an enduring art form.

• The evolution of fragrance discovery: from in-store testers and beauty advisors to digital tools, AI-powered recommendations, and peer reviews.
• Shifting consumer behaviors among Gen Z and Gen Alpha: how younger generations, driven by social media and online communities, are shaping fragrance buying trends.
• Bridging the sensory gap online: innovative approaches to help customers experience scent virtually before purchasing.
• The hybrid experience: how physical retail and digital commerce can complement each other to create engaging fragrance journeys.

The art and science of perfumery are evolving—fast. As artificial intelligence and advanced data analytics penetrate the world of fragrance, a new generation of brands is leveraging cutting-edge technology to create scent profiles that are not only innovative, but hyper-personalized, sustainable, and scalable.
In this forward-looking panel, representatives from pioneering brands including Arya Tara, MATTEO Parfums and another TBA panelist will share how AI is transforming formulation—from predictive ingredient modeling and sensory mapping to iterative prototyping based on consumer feedback loops. We’ll explore how machine learning is enhancing creativity rather than replacing it, empowering perfumers to push boundaries while maintaining olfactive integrity.
Join us for an immersive discussion on the digital future of scent, featuring exclusive insights, real-world applications, and a look at what happens when perfumery meets the power of algorithms.

Join industry expert and journalist Tom Branna, for an engaging panel discussion featuring American Society of Perfumers board member and senior perfumer Vincent Kuczinski and representatives from key industry associations including IFRA president Alexander Mohr, Ph.D., and Fragrance Creators Association Vice President, Government Affairs & General Counsel Sarah Erickson André. Together, they will explore how evolving regulations are reshaping the creative boundaries of fragrance formulation.
This session offers a behind-the-scenes look at how regulatory and policy actions influence the perfumer’s palette, providing insights into the delicate balance between compliance and creativity in today’s fragrance industry.

The Aromatic Plant Research Center (APRC) will lead an in-depth workshop on the science of aromatic authenticity, offering perfumers and fragrance professionals a rare opportunity to explore the integrity of natural ingredients, sustainability, and analytical authenticity.
The hands-on session will focus on the organoleptic properties of chiral molecules, their analytical profiling, the impact of chirality on health, aroma consistency, and authenticity in perfumery.

Explore how scent transforms everyday experiences in the home with our expert panel featuring Laundry Sauce, Procter & Gamble and other leading brands in home care and cleaning. This session dives into the latest fragrance innovations, consumer trends, and the science behind creating memorable olfactive experiences in functional products.
From freshly laundered linens to sparkling surfaces, discover how top brands are blending creativity and technology to elevate routine moments into sensory experiences that delight and inspire. Attendees will gain insights into:

• Emerging trends in laundry, home, and cleaning product fragrances
• How brands use scent to drive consumer engagement and loyalty
• The intersection of functionality and artistry in fragrance design

Perfumery is entering a new era - one shaped by bold creativity, smarter molecule design and materials crafted for the challenging regulatory future. In this workshop, BASF Aroma Ingredients invites you to explore how Safe-by-Design innovation is transforming the perfumer’s palette and opening doors to safe and future proof molecules combined with olfactive effects that weren’t possible before. Join us for a dynamic, behind-the-scenes look at how we design next-generation ingredients built to inspire creation and withstand the evolving regulatory fragrance landscape.

Be among the first to discover the next addition to BASF’s Future-Proof Palette - an innovation set to ignite new creative possibilities in perfumery that will withstand future regulations.

Join us as we officially open the World Perfumery Congress 2026 with a warm welcome led by President of the American Society of Perfumers Roger Howell. This opening session will set the tone for three days of innovation, inspiration, and collaboration in the global fragrance industry.
Howell will share the ASP’s vision for the future of perfumery, introduce new initiatives shaping the Congress, and highlight the themes and experiences that await attendees in Monterey. As the industry comes together in one of the most scenic locations in California, this welcome will mark the beginning of a truly memorable event.

*Badges Required for Entry*
As the World Perfumery Congress 2026 comes to a close, join us for an unforgettable evening at one of the most iconic marine sanctuaries at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Surrounded by the serene beauty of the ocean and its vibrant marine life, this exclusive closing reception and dinner is the perfect way to celebrate the connections, insights, and innovations we’ve shared over the past three days.

Immerse yourself in:

• Spectacular aquarium views that provide a breathtaking backdrop for our final gathering.
• Unforgettable networking with industry peers and global fragrance leaders in a relaxed, celebratory atmosphere.

This night is more than a farewell—it’s a toast to the artistry, passion, and future of perfumery. Let the magic of the Monterey Bay inspire you as we close WPC 2026 on a high note.

Dress Code: Cocktail or Elegant Evening Attire

Transportation: Shuttle buses will depart from Monterey Conference Center (MCC) to Monterey Bay Aquarium at 6:30pm (please be there at 6:15pm) and 7:00pm (please be there at 6:45pm). Return shuttle service back to MCC will be provided 9:00pm (please be there at 8:45pm) and 9:30pm (please be there at 9:15pm).