For its 2016 edition, Cosmoprof Asia faced a daunting challenge. Held in cramped conditions last year in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center (HKCEC), the show had no other choice than move to larger premises. The organizers thus decided to split the show into two distinct venues: suppliers (packaging, formulas, Ingredients, machinery) were therefore moved to AsiaWord-Expo (AWE), a modern and large exhibition centre near the airport, while finished products and some selected suppliers stayed at the HKCEC, on the Hong Kong island. This strategy not only allowed the show to host new exhibitors (650 new companies) and new sectors (ingredients, machines), but it was also well accepted by both visitors (up 21%!) and exhibitors.
Record numbers
The event welcomed 650 new companies this year taking the total number of exhibitors to 2,698 from 49 countries and regions.
732 companies from 19 countries exhibited at the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE), the venue for packaging, ingredients and processing equipment, from 15-17 November 2016. Finished cosmetics were showcased at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 16-18 November 2016 by 1,966 companies from 49 countries.
Cosmoprof Asia 2016 hosted 24 national and group pavilions from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, California, China, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UK, USA with inaugural pavilions from Bulgaria and Latvia.
The fair played host to 76,818 trade visitors from 129 countries and regions (21% increase over 2015).
“With the strong international representation and presence, Cosmoprof Asia remains the indisputably most important networking opportunity in Asia Pacific for the beauty industry,” said Michael Duck, Executive Vice President, UBM Asia Ltd.
AsiaWorld-Expo highlights
For the first time ever, AWE served as a focused venue for companies specialising in packaging, machinery, OEM, contract manufacturing and raw materials. While a handful of key exhibitors decided not to participate this year, the overall mood on the show floor was very positive, in particular because of the impressive affluence, proving the visitors clearly understood where to find what they were looking for.
The headline event was the first edition of the Innovation Circle Awards, organised in partnership with trends agency Beautystreams, recognising the most innovative packaging, design and formula. A jury panel comprised of the beauty industry’s elite including AmorePacific, Centdegrés, L’Oréal, Marie Dalgar, Martha Tilaar Group and NYX Cosmetics selected the winners and products were displayed in a prominent area on the show floor.
The Lipstick Factory in Hall 5 gave live demonstrations on the manufacturing process of a luxury lipstick thanks to a partnership with three leading Italian exhibitors - Brivaplast (packaging), Chromavis (formulation) and Vetraco (machinery). The project was supported by the Italian Ministry of the Economic Development and ITA - Italian Trade Agency, in collaboration with Cosmetica Italia - Personal Care Association.
HKCEC Highlights
At the HKCEC, the “Extraordinary Gallery” in Hall 3G took centre stage. Here a selected group of coveted and innovative multicultural brands from supply chain and finished products displayed their products. On this occasion, a special edition of a high-end nail lacquer in three unique colours and textures was jointly created by Centdegrés, Groupe Pochet (glass), Fiabila (nail polish) and trend agency Beautystreams.
Education & Innovation
Concomitant to the show, a rich information programme comprising more than 30 educational sessions offered world class content to all participants. The World Asia Forum held across both venues addressed the industry’s most talked about trends and topics. Sessions in AWE focused on the latest ingredients, technologies and packaging, while at HKCEC visitors discovered the latest trends and development in product, branding and marketing.
Cosmoprof Asia will be back in 2017 from 14 to 16 November at AsiaWorld-Expo and from 15 to 17 November at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
