The show kicked off with a packed-out opening presentation from the NPD Group entitled Beauty: Through the Looking Glass of Time, given by analyst Karen Grant.
The presentation focused on the evolution of the industry in the US, encompassing the continued segmentation of the industry, together with further development in the still fast-growing anti-aging and naturals segments.
It also looked at consumer patterns, emphasizing how spending continues to stress luxury purchases, underlining the huge increase in spend on personal products aimed at the prestige market, where sales have tripled in as many years.
Moving on to the show floor, exhibitors generally reported being busy on both the first and second days of the event, with many exhibitors reporting new business contacts within their targeted areas.
Gael Le Metayer, vice president of Silab Inc. said that the show had been a good platform for its expanding range of anti-aging ingredients and technology, helping to generate interest from a number of new sources.
Indeed Silab was thrown into the limelight after winning the HBA award for best International Technology with Coheliss, a rice-derived anti-aging product that is said to provide a long-lasting tensor effect on the skin.
Launched a year ago, the technology has wound its way into anti-aging formulations worldwide due to its effectiveness in influencing the biochemical properties of the skin, in turn helping provide an effective anti-wrinkle and smoothing effect.
"This product is in fact a treatment for wrinkles, rather than just a temporary means of preventing them," said Le Metayer.
"Further more it is also an economical technology, meaning that it is appearing in a wide variety of anti-aging treatments. I think the judges liked this criteria in particular," he added.
Other HBA industry award winners included Ralph Macchio, senior vice president of global research and development and chief scientific officer for Coty, who was presented with a life-time achievement award in product development.
Another life-time achievement award went to Jill Scalamandre, who was recognized for more than 20 years service in the field of marketing for various cosmetic companies that have included Avon and Chrysallis, where she is currently heading up the marketing team.
Likewise, packaging executive of the year went to Scott Widro, vice president materials management and manufacturing, Chanel.
Cornering HBA organizer Jay Gorga during his busy schedule, CosmeticsDesign learnt that building on the show's success the event is hoping to attract more overseas visitors in the future.
"Currently the proportion of international visitors is averaging around 12 percent," he said. "We want to significantly increase that number in an effort to make this show a destination for all types of professionals in this global industry."
