Cosmoprof North America is gearing up for its 16th edition, to be held again this year at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas from July 29-July 31. Registration is now open for the b2b beauty exhibition. The event covers all facets of the industry, gathering the beauty brands and suppliers (contract manufacturers, packaging suppliers and other solutions) under one roof, will provide robust educational programs.

Significant growth is expected in the packaging and manufacturing area for 2018, due in part to the special area DISCOVER PACK, which for the second year in a row spotlights the packaging industry and reinforces the importance packaging plays in the beauty industry. The area is exclusive to first-time CPNA exhibitors and returning DISCOVER PACK participants. All participants benefit from prime placement on the show floor and unsurpassed exposure. First-time exhibitors further benefit from face-to-face meetings with key U.S. and international buyers in addition to receiving prime placement on the show floor and unsurpassed exposure. To support its packaging efforts further, CPNA will expand its robust conference schedule to include sessions specifically focused on packaging and product development.

Connected beauty

CPNA will also debut a new collaboration with the FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising that reinforces innovation and continuous education in the ever-evolving world of beauty. Through mid-June 2018, FIDM undergraduate students will be challenged to create a connected beauty concept for 2050. Finalists concepts will be featured exclusively at CPNA. Besides creating some new concepts, the collaboration between CPNA and FIDM gives students first-hand experience with international companies and provides an engaging way for them to build key business skills. Five teams, each focused on one beauty category and consisting of one graphic design and one beauty marketing student, will be asked to consider what smart packaging might look like in 30 years, as well as what kind of formulation or delivery system products will have. Students will be required to answer these questions as well as how the product will ultimately look and be displayed.

Bringing ‘implementable innovation’ from around the globe and from diverse industries, Material ConneXion will display an example of its Innovation Wall featuring unique materials and technologies for beauty packaging. The installation will be located in Bayside A for attendees to touch, learn and explore the latest possibilities in sustainable, functional and interactive materials.

CPNA will also hold The Beauty Innovation & Design Awards (BeautyID Awards), which recognizes creativity in packaging design, material and product formulation in the ever-growing beauty segment at this year’s how. The Awards cover all cosmetic product categories (hair, nail, skin, colour, personal care, fragrance and sustainability) across professional, prestige and mass market segments. In addition, one category is dedicated specifically to cosmetic contract manufacturing.