HBA Global Expo

Autumn in New York was a great place to stage a trade show, as the HBA Global Expo held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City, Oct. 14-16, drew record attendance for special events.

Lauder Advises Buy/Sell Globally

HBA started off with a keynote address by Leonard Lauder, chairman of the Es­tée Lauder Companies Inc. that packed the hall with 1,500 eager listeners.

Presenting “A View from the Top: The Next Five Years,”Lauder observed, “The U.S. and European markets are maturing markets. And when you have maturing markets, competition increases.”

According to Lauder, the next five years will bring firmer footholds in foreign markets for companies that know how to capture their market successfully. “In the next five years, Asia will be the big gun,” Lauder said. “China will become one of our largest markets.”
He also advised marketers to look to Mexico, South America and Asia as sources for both raw materials and import/export of finished products to stay competitive.

And, to stand out in the crowd, “innovation is key,” Lauder insisted. But it isn’t always easy for smaller, start-up companies—who frequently are the best innovators, he noted—to stay afloat. Tariffs on exchanged materials and products and the high costs of patenting products—up to $250 thousand for typical litigation and passing of the patent—stops many small companies in their tracks. “Today, it’s not just technologies, but raw materials that have to be patented,” he said. “If you’re little, can you compete with that? Still, it’s worth the struggle, Lauder insisted. Continuing innovation will drive the next five years and probably beyond. Lauder concluded, “If you take great risks, you will get great rewards.”

Numbers Tell the Tale

This year’s HBA conference agenda realized increased attendance by 20%. Overall, the event showed significant industry support, with 1,080 exhibit booths representing 515 exhibiting companies and drawing 16,390 attendees. 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. (See information on the first annual HBA Awards Dinner on page 8)

New Name Broadens Reach

Acknowledging the growing involvement of wellness and personal care in the beauty industry, show organizer CMP Princeton has changed the name of HBA Global Expo to Health & Beauty America (to be known happily by the same acronym). The positioning underscores the strength of HBA and its significance as North America’s largest industry-specific event for the cosmetics, personal care and fragrance industries.

Show-Within-a-Show

In accordance with the growing trend of specialization within trade shows, the organizers of HBA will introduce a series of industry-specific sectors within HBA. Starting in 2003, PCITX (Per­sonal Care Ingredients & Technology Expo) will debut as a show within a show at the 2003 event in New York. An agreement has been reached in which CTFA will co-sponsor PCITX.

New Dates for 2003 HBA

Health & Beauty America has made a scheduling change for its 11th annual event to be held in 2003. Health & Beauty America will now be held Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. These dates do not conflict with Luxe Pack 2003, which is scheduled to held in Monte Carlo at the Grimaldi Forum, Oct. 22 -25.

Mark Your Calendars for April

HBA is planning two separate mid-year educational forums in order to provide information on topics that are of particular importance to marketing and research and development departments. Hign Performance Ingredients & Emerging Technology World Congress is scheduled for April 22-23, 2003 in New York City and the Prestige Packaging & Design Symposium is planned to take place simultaneously at the Roosevelt Hotel.

HBA, PCITX, and the mid-year educational forums are all produced by CMP Princeton, a division of CMP Asia Ltd (www.cmpasia.com). For more information go to www.hb aexpo.com, call 609-452-2800, ext. 122 or e-mail jgon [email protected].