Juv’ae’s Cosmetic Collective Conference 2026 brought a wave of energy to The Langham, Gold Coast, as Juv’ae nurses came together for three days of education, inspiration and connection.
Held from 21 to 23 June, the conference carried the theme ‘Transforming faces together through connection’, and that sense of connection ran through every part of the program, from the main-stage presentations and practical workshops to the exhibitor floor, panel discussions and after-hours networking.
More than a clinical education event, CC26 was a celebration of the Juv’ae community. It created space for nurses to step out of the day-to-day pace of clinic life, reconnect with peers, hear from leading educators and return to practice with fresh ideas, practical strategies and renewed confidence.
The conference opened with a welcome from Juv’ae directors Jacinta King, Nicole Schmid-Sanele and Melissa Isaia, followed by a keynote from Darren Shand on mindset and peak performance.
From there, the program moved across some of the most relevant conversations in aesthetics today. Sessions explored facial architecture, tissue change, the aesthetic needs of rapid weight loss patients, consultation mastery, anatomy-led treatment planning, integrated skincare journeys and micro-volume approaches to restoration. Speakers on day one included Dr Kam Lally, Dr Van Park, Suzie Hoitink, Dr Ania Smialkowski, Dr Cara McDonald and Dr Lucas de Siqueira.
The first day closed with a Juv’ae panel discussion featuring Alicia Lowther, Brooke Perrett, Charlotte Wolfenden, Maddy-Jane Hoffman, Rachel McDowall and Stephanie McKinnon, followed by a directors’ Q&A and lively Welcome Drinks.
Day two continued with a strong focus on the bigger picture of practice. Wendy El-Khoury led sessions on social media, customer acquisition and building bookings, while Dr Stephen Lowe, Dr Woo Tan, Rana Kennelly, Dr Abs Settipalli and Dr Dennis McCurdy shared insights across treatment planning, skin quality, lower face techniques, patient conversations and clinical outcomes.
The day also included the Juv’ae 10 Years Service Awards, recognising the nurses who have helped build and sustain the Juv’ae community over the past decade.
The final day shifted into workshop mode, giving delegates the opportunity to take a deeper dive into practical education. Across the day, attendees moved through sessions covering rapid weight loss patients, facial assessment, lower face planning, skin health, energy-based devices, clinical photography, consultation, clinic performance and patient trust.
Across the three days, one of the strongest messages to emerge was that cosmetic nursing now demands far more than technical skill alone. Today’s practitioners are navigating more complex patient presentations, higher expectations, changing communication needs, business pressures and a constantly growing clinical landscape. CC26 embraced that complexity with warmth and practicality.
The conference closed with a strong sense of momentum, not only for the year ahead, but for the continued growth of cosmetic nursing education in Australia.
