The definitive event for health & beauty

HBA-now known as Health & Beauty America-recently concluded its 10th annual event with a record-breaking number of conference attendees and re-signs for 2003. The largest industry-specific event for the cosmetics, personal care, and fragrance industries -- HBA -- had 20% more conference attendees than 2001 and a total of 16,390 attendees over the 3-day event that took place October 14-16, 2002 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York.

In addition, with most expositions experiencing a contraction in exhibit space and attendance, HBA also boasted a strong re-sign for the 2003 event, with more than 90% of the exhibitors contracted to return to next year's event. HBA is again scheduled take place in October at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York.

"This has been a challenging time for many businesses and the economy in general, and we are pleased that we were able to bring together a highly qualified audience of marketing and R&D professionals with more than 500 exhibitors encompassing everything from formula to finish," said Jack Gonzalez, director of HBA. "Over the three day event, enthusiastic attendees gave a strong indication that the outlook for the health and beauty industry is positive. They also affirmed that HBA is their source for solutions, suppliers and expert advice...establishing the event as the place where new products and new ideas are born."

Many exhibitors agreed that HBA was one of the year's most successful marketing events. "HBA attracted a qualified audience with a positive outlook despite the current economy. The show was very encouraging for us and the audience was looking toward innovation, new and interesting components and formulations, along with a high interest in turnkey manufacturing," said Sandra Scott, President of Cosmetica Labs.

John Samman, National Account Manager for Marietta Corp, also thought the traffic was excellent, "Attendees were extremely qualified…no one was wasting our time. HBA has continually evolved over the past five years in a very positive way."

HBA IS EXPANDING

Announced at this year's show was that HBA is expanding and will now be known as Health & Beauty America. In accordance with the growing trend of specialization within trade shows, HBA will introduce a series of industry-specific sectors starting next year with Personal Care Ingredients & Technology Expo. This new sector will provide a focus forum for R&D departments of marketing and private label companies.

The leading U.S. trade association for the personal care industry - the Cosmetics, Toiletry, & Fragrance Association -- has entered into a cooperative venture with PCITX and will promote this new sector to its members.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

For the fist time, HBA opened with a Keynote Speaker. Leonard A. Lauder, Chairman of the Estee Lauder Companies, spoke to more than 1,500 people on the state of the industry and its future prognosis. His speech entitled, "A View from the Top: The Next Five Years," was well received and created a springboard for further learning and discussions over the course of the event.

On Monday night, more than 500 people attended the First Annual Industry Awards Dinner at the New York Hilton. A virtual who's who in the industry saw Marc Pritchard, Vice President , Global Cosmetics and Personal Care, Procter & Gamble give the New Product R&D Technical Team Award to Lee Ellen Drechsler, Section Manager, R&D, Tom Rabe, Principal Scientist, and Ed Smith, Research Fellow, all from Procter & Gamble Cosmetics; Jack Stahl, President & CEO of Revlon presented Neil Scancarella, Executive Vice President of Revlon with the Lifetime Achievement in Product Development, and Ed Straw, President, Global Operations, for Estee Lauder Companies, honored Roger Caracappa, Senior Vice President, Global Packaging, Estee Lauder Companies with the Packaging Executive of the Year Award.

In addition the long-awaited 3rd Annual International Package Design Awards (IPDA) were announced with the Grand Award going to Diesel Green by Marbert for its Fragrance: Limited Distribution line. The five other category leaders were: Artist Palette by Chanel (Cosmetics), Futuresse by Biodroga (Skin Care: Limited Distribution); PureOlogy Serious Colour Care by PureOlogy (Personal Care); reflect.com by reflect.com (Skin Care: Mass Distribution); and Velocity by Mary Kay (Fragrance: Mass Distribution).

The IPDA booth on the show floor, sponsored by Cosmetic & Packaging Design and Happi magazines, was a destination spot for many attendees wanting to view the innovative designs first-hand.

Attracting a high number of conference attendees were new Master Classes on Lipstick, Fragrances, High Performance Ingredients and Controlled Release Systems, along with timely sessions on marketing, packaging and point of purchase. The Product Development Conference presented the latest information on skin care, hair care, personal care and new technologies.

"HBA this year was everything we expected and more...it is our most important marketing event. We like the new Fall dates and the people who manage the event from pre-show to on-site were incredible. We are very excited about next year, and with the expansion have taken a more prominent position on the show floor," said John H. Howland, Chairman, Bradford Soap Works, Inc.

Also see: Make Up

About The Author:

April Tom is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-cosmetics.com. Tips on skin care, hair care and beauty products to bring out natural beauty.