Meet the organisers
The botanica conference series grew out of Rhiannon Lewis' desire to connect plant-passionate professionals from around the world for a time of sharing information, education, networking and sourcing quality products. The first four botanica events were held in person.
In the face of the pandemic in 2020, botanica pivoted to a virtual event and then, given the ongoing uncertainties regarding travel restrictions between countries, it was decided that botanica2022 would also be held as a virtual edition - all the while maintaining her original dream and goals of providing excellence in education, networking and sourcing of products.
The botanica conference series enjoys worldwide acclaim as the leading aromatherapy conference event worldwide.
We look forward to you joining us!
About Rhiannon
Rhiannon Lewis has been active in the field of clinical aromatherapy for the past 33 years as a practitioner, author and educator. Her interest in essential oils and related plant extracts effectively dovetails with her passion for making a difference to health and quality of life of sick patients.
Since 2004, Rhiannon has been editor of the International Journal of Clinical Aromatherapy (IJCA), the only journal of its kind that combines evidence based information with practitioner-relevant information in a professional publication.
In 2021 Rhiannon realised another personal dream in the creation of the International Clinical Aromatherapy Network (ICAN) : a safe, professional online platform for all involved professionally in the field of essential oils. ICAN currently has 700+users and members from over 50 countries worldwide and provides the opportunity for networking, education, mentoring and sourcing quality products related to the field.
As director of Essential Oil Resource Consultants based in France, Rhiannon provides information, education and research related to the field of essential oils. She accomplishes this in a number of ways including editing the IJCA (now fully integrated within ICAN), lecturing worldwide, speaking at conferences, writing articles and chapters for professional publications, consulting for laboratories and organising conferences and seminars.
Rhiannon is known for her engaging and effective teaching style as well as freely sharing her deep knowledge and grounded experience of working with essential oils for health benefits.
The botanica conference series is a natural extension of her work – aiming to promote the safe, effective use of essential oils and related extracts and to encourage their use in clinical settings alongside mainstream healthcare. To this end, she is also host and organiser of another biennial international educational event : The Essence of Clinical Aromatherapy International Seminar, focussed on the use of essential oils in clinical settings. She is also a long-time and active member of the organising committee of Phyt’Arom Grasse – a bilingual aromatherapy and herbal medicine conference based in France.
Rhiannon’s contribution and deep dedication to the field of aromatherapy has not gone unnoticed; in 2000 she was made a Fellow of the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists, in 2009 she received an outstanding achievement award from the Alliance of International Aromatherapists and in 2019 she received a lifetime achievement award from the same organisation.
Rhiannon says
I am delighted to invite you to our 10-year special anniversary of botanica with its theme of PAST-PRESENT-FUTURE and its increased functionalities such as the possibility of multi-language captioning for all live-streamed lectures and enhanced live networking possibilities!
With each subsequent botanica event, we continue to raise the bar of excellence in all that we do, from the quality of the lectures and workshops to the opportunities for networking and the connections to suppliers of quality products related to the world of essential oils and plant therapeutics. Botanica2022 is no exception - whether this is your first or sixth event, we are thrilled that you will be taking part in this world-class event!
Marie-Anne James of EYAS EVENTS
Rhiannon and Marie-Anne have been working together since botanica2020 and the Essence of Clinical Aromatherapy International Seminar in 2021. Marie-Anne is the keystone of all the administrative and coordination aspects of botanica2022. She is CEO of Eyas: Conference and Event Management based in the UK.
Eyas has been managing conferences and events for 40 years. With a heritage spanning over 4 decades, Marie-Anne took over the family business in 2007. Marie-Anne says
We are proud to still be working with many of our original clients as well as continuing to grow and establish relationships with new clients who operate in a range of sectors across the globe. Our client relationships are at the heart of what we do. Our approach to event management enables the Eyas team to understand our clients and their business, which in turn allows us to flourish in the events we produce. It is very important to us that we respond quickly and enjoy good relationships with everyone who signs up to one of our events, we try to make everybody feel as welcome as possible.