There were nearly 18,152 attendees and 650 exhibitors at this years HBA (Health & Beauty America). During the three-day exhibition and educational conference, industry professionals learned about what was new in the industry. Eduardo Ceballos Zuleta of Gerente Industrial, enjoyed the event, commenting, “We have seen new trends in ingredients, raw materials and packaging and found many new suppliers for our product development needs. The educational program was also very good and covered all aspects of the industry. I particularly liked the naturals, and sourcing from the Far East panels as well as the marketing certificate program.
Conferences:
The educational conference was one of the events most extensive to date with more than 220 speakers, 60 sessions and more than 2,000 registered conference attendees. Some new sessions were “Antiaging,” “Boomers: A Booming Business,” Integrated Marketing,” “Bath and Body,” and “Smart Packaging.”
New data released on the effects of lutein, applied topically or ingested, was a hot topic of discussion during Ellen Kamhi’s (Bio-Botanica) presentation about cutting-edge fruit ingredients at the Health and Beauty America (HBA) conference and exhibition, held Sept. 12–14, 2006, in New York. According to Kamhi, “Fruit extracts are where we [as an industry] are going.” Several speeches were presented on topics ranging from natural ingredients, packaging and marketing, to product development, regulatory affairs and toxicology.
The keynote presentation by Coty Beauty’s president, Eric Thoreux, opened the conference with more than 700 attendees and highlighted innovative approaches to brand development. A special antiaging panel, led by renown expert Albert Kligman, PhD, kicked off the afternoon sessions and looked to the future of antiaging. In addition, for the first time, a full-day conference was held Sept. 13 on regulatory affairs. Attendees had the opportunity to address a panel of experts on issues related to animal testing alternatives, colorants, nanotechnology, sunscreens and the European REACH program.
Regulatory Session:
During the regulatory session, Elizabeth H. Anderson, Esq, and John Bailey, PhD, of the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (CTFA) described the association’s consumer commitment code and the importance of communication within the industry to make self-regulation work. Also, George A. Kimbrell, Esq, discussed nanomaterials in personal care products and FDA regulation.
More than 100 delegates attended HBA’s 1st Annual Regulatory Summit. They were provided with information concerning various legislative actions and the impact of emerging global regulations in the cosmetic and personal care market. At the conclusion of the summit, a professionally moderated panel discussion looked at questions submitted by attendees. The recent US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision calling the safety of hydroquinone to question was a hot topic. Rebecca James Gadberry, president and chairman of YG Labs, summed up the regulatory summit in her closing remarks: “We’re changing the industry today.” To which Meyer Rosen, moderator of the session, added: “This day reminds me of a distillation. All day we’ve been bubbling and removing things and I’ve realized that we’ve distilled down to the key issues. We’ve used this day to source a couple of kernels of wisdom and we’ve acted as a team.”
Awards Dinner:
The Sept. 12 main event featured the HBA Awards dinner, highlighting the best new product of 2006, lifetime achievement awards, packaging executive of the year, Cosmetics & Toiletries (C&T) magazine’s International Technology Awards and other package design category awards. The awards dinner drew more than 650 beauty and personal care executives and suppliers.The Lifetime Achievement of Beauty Through Science was presented to Zoe Diana Draelos, MD (Wake Forest University School of Medicine), and Joseph Gubernick, chief marketing officer (Estée Lauder), was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement in Product Development Award.
International Technology Awards:
Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine also announced the winners of its 2006 International Technology Awards, presented by Matt Gronlund, publisher. The winner in the New Best Technology category was Aquea Scientific Corp. for its Aquea SPF wash-on SPF Technology. Accepting the award on behalf of Aquea Scientific was Dave Compton, president and CEO of the company. Additionally, Sederma was recognized for its Bodyfit campaign. The award was accepted on behalf of Sederma by Karl Lintner, managing director of the company.
Exhibits:
Each day of the event, hundreds of exhibitors filed into the Jacob J. Javits Convention Center and presented elaborate displays of their technologies, packaging innovations, testing methods, services and more. The show floor bustled with demonstrations and networking opportunities and drew in great attendee traffic. Next year’s HBA event is scheduled for Sept. 18–20, 2007, at the same venue, and promises to be as successful as the 2006 event. For more information, visit: www.hbaexpo.com.
