Breakthrough science, shifting consumer values, and accelerated digital advancement are redefining how brands create products, build cultural relevance and connect with consumers.

The 2026 WWD Beauty CEO Summit will explore the strategies, technologies and cultural insights shaping the next era of growth - challenging leaders to build businesses that are visionary, agile and future-ready. 

• The Future of Beauty Commerce: exploring AI-powered retail, next gen omnichannel and the reinvention of physical stores as experiential, data-driven hubs. How consumer expectations are shifting and how brands can stay ahead
• Breakthrough Science & Product Innovation: biotech-driven actives, sustainable formulation, neurocosmetics and the microbiome. What scientific advances will define the decade of beauty - and how leaders can turn innovation into competitive advantage.
• Culture, Community & Influence: how identity, inclusivity, global aesthetics, creators and emerging digital influencers are reshaping brand relevance. Understanding cultural fluency as a core leadership competency.

Beauty is evolving at an unprecedented pace, rocked by forces inside and outside of the industry that are fundamentally transforming all aspects of the business.
AI, algorithms, entertainment, embryonics, pop culture, politics, pre-teens —these forces and more are colliding, creating new paths of opportunity and sometimes even obstacles to growth.

At the 2026 WWD Beauty CEO Summit, themed The Innovation Imperative: Creating the Future of Commerce, Culture and Creativity, WWD will gather today’s savviest leaders to tackle the complexity of the landscape we operate in. What does the future of retail look like in an agentic world? What scientific advances will define the next decade of beauty? And what does that mean for a business that has historically been driven by marketing? What does it take to develop cultural fluency at scale?
Our speakers will answer these questions and more at the beauty industry’s most important gathering, taking place on May 11- May 13 at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida. 
Thus far, confirmed speakers include William Lauder, chairman of the Estée Lauder Companies, Alexis Perakis-Valat, CEO of L’Oreal USA, Virginie Courtin, managing director of Clarins, Herrish Patel, president of Unilever USA, Nata Dvir, chief merchandising officer of Macy’s and Michelle Peluso, CEO of Revlon. The leading founders of today will offer insights on sustained growth and innovation, including Sarah Lee and Christine Chang from Glow Recipe, Danessa Myricks from Danessa Myricks Beauty, Patrick Ta, Dr. Jason Diamond and  Mazdak Rassi of Milk.

Boston Consulting Group will explore the expanding nature of beauty via proprietary research, The Future Laboratory will analyze how retailers outside of beauty are using agentic AI to fuel growth and Circana will unveil new data around the Latina community. RoarForward’s Michael Clinton will join Simone Gibertoni for an in-depth conversation about the very big business of longevity, and Alicia Yoon of Peach & Lily will share her data-driven approach to virality. 
The 2026 Beauty CEO Summit will deliver a power-packed program of information and networking and we hope you’ll be able to join us.  

Jenny B. Fine
Editor in Chief, Beauty Inc
Executive Editor, Beauty, WWD

At the summit you'll get access to

- Inspirational keynotes from global thought leaders
- Insightful and educational panels and discussions themed to driving success
- First looks at new trends and innovations designed to aid business growth
- 1:1 networking and relationship building opportunities with C-Suite Level Executives across industry categories
- Breakfasts and lunches
- Access to key industry service providers to explore new business solutions
- A beauty and wellness gift bag

BRANDS/RETAILERS

SERVICE PROVIDERS

James Dyson Walks His Talk

The master of reinvention discussed failure, dupes and strawberries.

Stéphane de La Faverie Maps Out Vision for Estée Lauder’s Future

The newly minted CEO outlines structural changes, consumer-centric strategies and innovation plans to drive growth amid industry transformation.

Inside Kecia Steelman’s Far-reaching Vision for Ulta Beauty

The relatively new chief executive officer is firing the retailer's engine on all cylinders.

Why Michelle Peluso Believes in Revlon’s Comeback

After taking the helm as chief executive officer of the company in November, retail veteran Peluso is looking to lead Revlon back to growth by not compromising on culture, modernization and leadership.

Partnership Inquiries

Melissa Rocco 
mrocco@fairchildfashion.com

Attendee Inquiries

Lauren Simeone
lsimeone@fairchildfashion.com