Two issues, government regulations and communications, pose the biggest challenges to the beauty industry, according to Dan Brestle, chairman of the Personal Care Product Council and keynote speaker of HBA Global Expo which opened today in New York City. In his opening comments he recalled some of the greats who created the industry; people like Francois Coty, Charles Revson and Estée Lauder.

However, today’s executives face many obstacles to growth. Brestle noted, for example, that while the industry joined together to defeat The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010, regulators re-introduced the measure earlier this month.Outside the U.S., China is beginning to build a Great Wall of Regulations that could block access to more than one billion consumers, according to Brestle, who urged attendees to get involved with their trade groups.

The other challenge for today’s beauty executives is the rapidly evolving communications industry. Brestle recalled Estée Lauder’s famous advice of “telegraph, telephone, tell a woman,” and how she would be thrilled with today’s Twitter, FaceBook and Blogger communities.

Brestle insisted that with advances in research and development leading to an array of new products, the industry has a fascinating story to tell the world.

“As we contemplate the future of the industry, let’s work together to realize beyond the wildest dreams of the people who came before us,” urged Brestle