Following yesterday's Absorbent Hygiene Workshop moderated by Terrill Young, which attracted 65 members of the industry, the conference portion of the fourth annual Hygienix kicked-off today at the Loews Portofino Resort in Orlando, FL. A welcome reception attended by over 350 people was held last night at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Orlando Universal CityWalk. 

This year's conference, which is hosting 500 attendees--25% of them from outside of the U.S.--began this morning with a keynote session on "The Amazon Effect" presented by Diana Sheehan, VP, Retail and Shopper Insights, Kantar Consulting. During the presentation, Sheehan explored Amazon’s core strategy and priorities today and tomorrow, and also discussed how key national retailers are adapting their strategies to effectively compete against Amazon.

Following the keynote, sessions were held on AHP Design Advancements I and II featured technology disruptors that could impact the future of nonwovens, consumer insights and the trend towards using channels in AHP. Meanwhile, the afternoon sessions highlighted Incontinence: Urinary and the Other and Nonwoven Markets & Economic Trends I.

Nominees for the Hygienix Innovation Award presented their innovations at 5 p.m. This year's finalists are Avgol Nonwovens’ beneFIT Control, a next-generation antimicrobial solution for diapers, adult incontinence and feminine care; Bostik’s Brilliance, the world’s first high-performance polyolefin-based elastic attachment adhesive; and Calla Lily Personal Care’s Tampliner,  a three-in-one tampon innovation.

A reception and tabletop displays with networking opportunities rounded out Day 1 of the conference.