This year’s edition of Cosmoprof North America (CPNA)—the award-winning international B2B tradeshow and one of the largest beauty events in the U.S.—promises to be more dynamic than ever when it returns to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV on July 12-14. More than 950 exhibiting companies from 40 countries will be on hand, and show organizers estimate that 27,000 attendees will visit the three-day show. In addition, 2,000 brands will be showing finished products.

Visitors can expect an expansion of special features, educational sessions and events to add to the excitement and expand opportunities for business, research, education and networking.

Daniela Ciocan, marketing director of Cosmoprof NA, says, “This is an exciting year for Cosmoprof North America. We are introducing several new curated zones to the show floor.” These include Discover Scent, focused on emerging fragrance brands; Tones of Beauty, highlighting sophisticated, niche multicultural products; and Cosmopack International Business Forum and Exhibition, dedicated exclusively to packaging innovation. Ciocan says, “These areas will stand out among the other exhibit spaces as they are specially designed to draw attendees, with a look and feel similar to that of a luxury department store.”

Cosmopack International Business Forum & Exhibition is a specially decorated lounge space within the Packaging Pavilion, and will feature 12 unique packaging providers. Ciocan explains, “Chosen exhibitors to Cosmopack will not only have prime visibility within the show, but will also receive guaranteed one-to-one meetings with qualified buyers. Furthermore, this is a zone that can’t be missed as the Packaging Pavilion has been relocated on the show floor and is now near the main entrance.”

In total, Ciocan expects “roughly” 140 packaging suppliers in the Packaging Pavilion. “We are always looking to showcase innovative packaging techniques and materials and will be looking to provide attendees and buyers with a one-stop-shop for all their supply chain needs,” she says.

In addition to the new zones, Ciocan says there will be some exciting events and educational sessions unique to CPNA. In partnership with The Professional Beauty Association (PBA), CPNA has announced that famed businessman, TV “Shark” personality and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban will be returning to CPNA for the second year in a row as a panelist for The Beauty Pitch—a first of its kind, which will offer up-and-coming and established companies alike the unique opportunity to present their brand, products or ideas to a panel of top investors including Cuban and John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of the Paul Mitchell line of hair products and The Patrón Spirits Company. Five finalists will have the chance to pitch to the panel live on July 12, 2015, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. One winner will receive a one-year mentorship from Cuban, and/or another will receive possible funding from a reputable private equity firm. 

Tried and true areas on the show floor, including Discover Beauty, will be back once again to highlight small artisanal brands with unique product ranges that are relatively new to the marketplace and a prime fit for high-end retail stores, boutiques, salons and spas. Centrally located within the Discover Beauty area of the show, Spotlights is a curated initiative welcoming the best of niche prestige beauty brands. The highly stylized area gives the feeling of walking through a high-end department store where the open layout gives way to the individual brands displayed on select countertops.

The popular Boutique sampling wall will also return this year through a collaborative effort between Cosmoprof NA and HCT Group, the official sponsor. The area is set up as a sampling bar showcasing deluxe premium-size samples from 20 brands. For a donation of $10, attendees can select seven samples to be placed in a high-end keepsake gift box provided by HCT Group. Donations will be given to City of Hope for diabetes research and treatment. Over $13,000 was raised during the 2014 event.

Nick Gardner, executive vice president of sales, HCT Group, says: “HCT has designed a custom, reusable tin exclusive to Boutique, featuring a unique sleeve that functions as both secondary packaging and a sleek and convenient handle. With a simple step and repeat decorative effect, the tin itself not only becomes a keepsake that the consumer can repurpose, but also serves as a pleasant reminder of the Boutique concept.”

Educational Sessions

Ciocan explains that Cosmoprof also works hard to compile diverse and timely session topics.

This year, Beauty Packaging magazine will moderate “Telling the Brand Story Through Packaging,” a session that will educate attendees on the latest packaging strategies and techniques for brand differentiation. Another session presented by FIT’s School of Business will focus on “The Future of Luxury: What, Where and How,” and will feature exclusive findings from their Capstone 2015 program. Those looking for new business insights will be interested in “Beauty Business Start-up: Seven Things You Have to Know Before you Launch,” which promises to give attendees a virtual “toolbox” of knowledge, skills and resources to set the table for success.   For a full line-up of conferences and to register, please visit: cosmoprofnorthamerica.com

Cosmoprof attendees will also be able to “smell” the CPNA brand at the show, as Cosmoprof partnered with Air Aroma, a scent design and branding agency specializing in ambient scenting, to create a custom Cosmoprof signature fragrance for the event.

More info: www.cosmoprofnorthamerica.com