Cosmoprof North America 2014

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Cosmoprof North America (CPNA), the award-winning international beauty exhibition, continues to exemplify the energy and creativity that drive the beauty industry.  This year proved to be a record year for the show both in terms of the largest and most international number of attendees and exhibitors. CPNA unites attendees and exhibitors from the Americas and beyond, acting as the ultimate platform for networking, product launches, and cultivating new business relationships.  Encompassing all sectors of the industry, CPNA remains the single most important forum for the beauty industry in the United States.

The show is organized by North American Beauty Events, a joint venture between BolognaFiere Group, a leading Italian-based organizer of international trade shows such as Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna, and the Professional Beauty Association, one of North America's largest and most influential trade associations representing all sectors of the professional beauty industry.

The event, which was held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada from July 13 – 15, 2014 featured a sold out show floor: 20,178 SQM / 217,195 SQF with 946 exhibiting companies and close to 27,000 attendees, a 4% increase over the previous year. As in past years, CPNA attracted many new and innovative brands in addition to industry leaders such as BKolor, CONAIR, CND, Chromavis, Essie, Helen of Troy, HCT Packaging, L'Oreal Technique, OPI Nail, Orly, NYX, RUSK, Toly, Vetro and Zotos International. This year's event also delivered a strong international presence with 338 exhibitors from 39 countries, 10 official Country Pavilions.

CPNA continues to further solidify its position in the U.S. marketplace as the premier international beauty destination and featured an array of importers, distributors, manufacturers and global beauty leaders all under one roof. This year's event delivered a strong international presence with exhibitors from 39 countries, 10 official Country Pavilions and a contingency of foreign buyers from 25 different countries.

International Presence Continues to Grow at CPNA
The International Buyer Program served as a liaison between international buyers and exhibiting companies. The delegation of qualified buyers from abroad attended the show and met one-on-one with exhibitors with matching profiles.  The buyers from 25 countries including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India, Mexico and Panama came to CPNA with the mission of finding new beauty products that they can introduce into their respective markets.

Major Retailers Continue to Come to CPNA
Discover Beauty, another exclusive initiative of CPNA, is a curated section featuring new up and comers. These companies met with prominent retailers such as Amazon, Beauty Bar, Beauty Habit, C.O. Bigelow's, Dermstore, Hautelook, HSN, Nordstrom Rack, The Beauty Box, Urban Outfitters and Walgreens/Look Boutique, and others who provided Discover Beauty brands with feedback and connections. 

CPNA also brought back SPOTLIGHTS for a third year as part of the Discover Beauty program.  With 20 brands, SPOTLIGHTS was consistently busy throughout the show and featured small artisan labels that are a prime fit for high-end retail stores, boutiques, salons and spas.

BOUTIQUE and Beauty Box Partnership
This year, CPNA also brought back the successful sampling concept, BOUTIQUE.  This sampling bar allowed attendees to select deluxe-sized samples, including the latest in up-and-coming cosmetics, skin care, nails and hair to customize their own beauty box in exchange for a small charitable donation that will benefit CITY OF HOPE. Donations collected exceeded last year's amounts with slightly over $13,300 raised as a result of this onsite initiative.

As part of a unique collaboration, a limited edition Cosmoprof Boutique box will be available for sale exclusively on GLOSSYBOX.com in August after the show to consumers at large.  The limited edition box will feature seven products and will have a small run. Once sold out ~ it is gone!

Live TV Shopping Channel Open-See Returns
CPNA also hosted a live TV Shopping Audition.  Key merchants from QVC, HSN and Shop HQ along with their teams, hosted a live Open-See to meet with exhibiting companies.  Beauty executives from these shopping networks looked for innovative product concepts, with the ability to connect with their millions of viewers.

New initiatives at CPNA
CPNA was also proud to unveil the first ever INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE AREA located on the show floor.  The area consisted of the EXPERIENCE AREA and the INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY AREA which allowed attendees the opportunity to play and experience unique concepts.  The EXPERIENCE AREA housed inside a container was hosted by Pearlfisher Futures, a leading design consultancy agency with offices in London and New York City who presented a multimedia presentation on the future of body and wellness.

The INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY AREA was a digital playground hosted by The New Agency. Included in this Digital Discovery Tool Booth were three pods showcasing technology from Bamboo, SpringBox and Strike Social; principals from these three platforms were on-hand to provide answers to specific questions attendees had.  The inaugural program allowed attendees to immerse themselves in the big picture of the digital landscape and explore tools to enhance their business.

The Professional Beauty Association's (PBA) Business Form featured Mark Cuban as the keynote speaker.  As a famed business man and the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Cuban spoke to a sold-out crowd of over one thousand guests about being an entrepreneur and his investments in the beauty market.  His address was followed by a Q&A moderated by WWD, Creative Age and Scott Buchanan, Chair of PBA's Board of Directors. 

The North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) 25^th Anniversary Celebration was the pinnacle event at PBA Beauty Week 2014, hosted by CPNA.  As the top achievement for professional hairstylists and makeup artists, finalists and winners continue to push the boundaries of trend-setting style.  Renowned entertainment journalists, and TV personalities Bill and Giuliana Rancic hosted the 2014 ceremony.  

Cosmoprof North America 2015 will take place July 12 – 14 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.  For photos from CPNA 2014, visit: http://cosmoprofnorthamerica.com/news_press/PhotoGallery.aspx.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140801/132628

SOURCE Cosmoprof North America