Cosmoprof North America, held July 13-15 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, saw the largest number of exhibitors—992 companies—ever. The annual trade show was created in 2002.
Also, this year the total number of international exhibiting companies and countries represented at Cosmoprof North America was higher than ever. There were 314 international exhibitors representing a total of 38 countries—a 7% increase.
In all, the trade show drew more than 27,040 attendees—a 4% increase from 2013—and saw the most international number of attendees ever.
“Cosmoprof North America marks a new success and shows another encouraging sign of the growth of the U.S. market," said Duccio Campagnoli, president of the BolognaFiere Group and SoGeCos, on July 18. "Cosmoprof North America asserts itself as the leading beauty event in the North American market thanks to the effective partnership that we have cultivated with the Professional Beauty Association, the authority for the professional-beauty world in the United States."
The show is organized by North American Beauty Events, a joint venture between the BolognaFiere Group—the Italian-based organizer of international trade shows such as Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna—and the Professional Beauty Association—one of North America’s largest and most influential trade associations representing all sectors of the professional-beauty industry.
This year's event also featured a sold-out show floor (221,532 square feet).
In addition to the record international attendance, the 2014 show delivered a strong international presence with exhibitors from 40 countries, numerous official country pavilions and a contingency of foreign buyers from 25 countries. An international presence continues to grow with the International Buyer Program, a delegation of qualified buyers from abroad who met one-on-one with exhibitors that had matching profiles. The buyers were from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India, Mexico, Panama and other places. There were more than 297 meetings with 165 exhibiting companies. There was a large increase of companies from Great Britain, Japan and Spain.
Discover Beauty, another exclusive initiative of Cosmoprof North America, assists emerging brands in finding the appropriate retail market while highlighting new trends. The brands housed in this curated section enjoyed one-on-one meetings with prominent retailers such as Amazon, Beauty Bar, Beauty Habit, C.O. Bigelow, DermStore, HauteLook, HSN, Nordstrom Rack, The Beauty Box, Urban Outfitters, Walgreens/The Look Boutique and others. The 2014 Discover Beauty Award winner was Karora Cosmetics from Ireland.
Cosmoprof North America also brought back SPOTLIGHTS for a second year as part of its Discover Beauty program. This exhibit space offered smaller companies that excel in creativity the opportunity to showcase their products inside a clean, high-end environment.
This year the show brought back the successful sampling concept BOUTIQUE as well. This sampling bar allowed attendees to select deluxe-sized samples, including the latest in up-and-coming cosmetics, skin care, nails, hair and some classic beauty favorites. Once at the sampling bar, attendees could handpick seven deluxe samples from 20 featured exhibiting brands in exchange for a small charitable donation that benefited the City of Hope, a leading research, treatment and education center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. The limited-edition Cosmoprof BOUTIQUE box will be available for sale exclusively on GLOSSYBOX.com in August. The limited-edition box will feature seven products and will have a small run. Brands include Johnny B. Hair Care, Karora Cosmetics, Obliphica Professional hair care, OPI Products, Royal Apothic, SKIN&CO Roma, Sexy Hair and others.
Cosmoprof North America hosted a live TV Open-See once again too. Key merchants from QVC, HSN and Shop HQ along with their teams hosted a live open-see to meet with exhibiting companies. The presentations were open to all preregistered exhibitors. Beauty executives from these shopping networks looked for innovative and authentic product concepts with the ability to connect with their millions of viewers.
The show welcomed five talented students from Penrose Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona, in the CPNA Trendscouts Program. They met with exhibitors to find product launches and discover the latest trends. They reported their findings via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook posts. Attendees and exhibitors could “check in” via Foursquare and view show specials as well as download the new CPNA Smartphone App, which helped attendees find their favorite exhibitors and educational conferences. Guests could also scan the new CPNA QR Code that featured exclusive show promotions and tips from show organizers.
Every year the show brings industry leaders to the forefront to share innovative ideas and experiences that will help the beauty industry better understand dynamics and market trends. Educational seminars moderated by Beauty Store Business, WWD, GCI magazine and top trade associations were well received. Business and industry leaders from multiple sectors of the industry participated in roundtable discussions and panels to share their knowledge and insights.
For the first time ever CPNA show organizers brought in five online beauty experts who participated in the Beaut-E Zone and a lively Q&A educational event moderated by BSB executive editor Marc Birenbaum.
The show also unveiled its first-ever Interactive Experience Area. It featured Pearlfisher Futures, a leading design consultancy agency with offices in New York City and London, and a digital playground hosted by The New Agency—which included the Digital Discovery Tool Booth with three pods showcasing technology from Bamboo, SpringBox and Strike Social.
The 25th North American Hairstyling Awards proved to be the pinnacle event of PBA Beauty Week 2014, recognizing the artistry and skill of the salon industry. This year’s celebration included high-energy artistic presentations by Aveda, jcp salons, Redken and Allen Ruiz, recipient of the 2013 NAHA Hairstylist of the Year Award. Renowned entertainment journalists, television personalities and producers Bill and Giuliana Rancic hosted the 2014 awards ceremony. This year's Hairstylist of the Year Award went to Alain Pereque of Saco Salon Drummond in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The PBA welcomed Mark Cuban as the keynote speaker for the PBA Annual Business Forum. As a famed businessperson, TV personality and the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Cuban spoke to a sold-out crowd about being an entrepreneur and his investments in the beauty market. His address was followed by a Q&A that included BSB/Creative Age Publications publisher/CEO Deborah Carver as one of three moderators. PBA Beauty Week 2014 also included the PBA Regional Forum and BEACON.
Harlan Kirschner, CEO of The Kirschner Group, was this year's City of Hope industry honoree. Next year's City of Hope industry honoree is Steve Goddard, founder and president of PRAVANA.
Cosmoprof North America 2015 will take place on July 12-14 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. PBA Beauty Week 2015 will take place on July 11-14.
[Image: Cosmoprof North America]
