LAS VEGAS - (July 22, 2004) – In its second year in North America, Cosmoprof officially celebrated the end of a dynamic 2004 show, and the beginning of a new era in professional beauty. Cosmoprof is the first show in North America to bring domestic and global beauty leaders under one roof, all designed to inspire stylists, wellness professionals and retail buyers with the latest in hair care, skin care, cosmetics, nails, spa, product development and packaging.

This year, Cosmoprof moved to the new Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, and created five pavilions to connect professionals with tools, education and inspiration. Categories included: Cosmetics & Personal Care, a showcase of the latest and greatest innovations; Packaging & Manufacturing, the essential element to all great products; Wellness & Spa, from skin care to nutrition; Professional Hair, Nails & Tools, the central focus for salon professionals; and LOOKS Mainstage & Expo, a dramatic and gorgeous runway presentation of cut, color and fashion from the best stylists in the world.

“This year’s attendance is up 25 percent, more than 25,000 beauty and wellness experts attended this second annual event,” said Steven Sleeper, Executive Director for the show. “We’ve built a show like no other in North America, and clearly those in attendance were thrilled with the venue, formats and opportunities.”

Cosmoprof North America is a sister show to the legendary Italian event with a 37 year history.

“We created Cosmoprof North America show for one reason, to build a positive future for global beauty,” said Laura Zaccagnini, General Director for Cosmoprof shows. “Smart business leaders know you must work globally. And Cosmoprof North America provides a venue where a buyer from Chicago can source a product innovation from Brazil, or a shampoo line from Los Angeles can gain distribution in Poland, we put people together!”

Cosmoprof featured hard-walled booths, dedicated pavilions and super clean design put a whole new face on the beauty industry.

For the LOOKS mainstage, Balbino Terenzi, Cosmoprof Artistic Director, and Education Director Bonnie Bonadeo assembled a lineup of the premier hair and fashion experts in an incredible display of stunning style. This year included Trevor Sorbie’s first US show in five years, and breathtaking style from Anthony Mascolo, Robert Cromeans, American Crew and Vidal Sassoon. Those looking for more style attended up-close master classes and hands-on courses with Mike Karg, Martin Parsons, TIGI, Graham Webb and many more.

“We know stylists want innovation and techniques they can take right to the salon and spa,” said Bonadeo. “We gathered the best of the best and brought them under one roof!”

In the adjacent Wellness Pavilion, health and skin care professionals could find presentations conducted by Andrew Weil, the Harvard MD Author and Nutrition guru, Jane Brody, noted New York Times health expert and even a lesson in cooking and humor from the Clever Cleaver Brothers.

Taking this education even further, Cosmoprof presented Dr. Francesco Morace and his study “The Evolution of Wellness Venues,” exploring a cross-section of trends and innovation in spas in 40 cities around the world. From mud bathes in Iceland to nature immersion in Tasmania to the LiquidRom water experience in Berlin, this study shows the dimension of health around the world.

Cosmoprof kicked off on Saturday, July 17 with NAHA, the North American Hairstyling Awards honoring the best stylists for their creativity. The event was hosted by Carson Kressley, the Fashion Savant from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

Over three days, guests attended more than 80 individual classes and seminars. With an expanded venue at Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Cosmoprof North America included 19,822 square meters of exhibition space. This year, more than 10,000 guests pre-registered and more than 15,000 registered on-site for Cosmoprof North America.

Country exhibitors included Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Mexico, Pakistan, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States. Special National and Group Pavilions included China, France, Germany, Jordan, Israel Italy, Spain and Taiwan.

Cosmoprof North America 2005 is planned for July 24-26, 2005 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. For more information, visit cosmoprofnorthamerica.com. Cosmoprof North America is a production of North American Beauty Events LLC.

FACT SHEET

Net Exhibition Area: 19,822 sq.m

Area by Product Sectors:
3,450 sq. m Pavilion A: Cosmetics & Toiletries
1,480 sq. m Pavilion B: Packaging, Contract manufacturing & Private Label
2,132 sq. m Pavilion C: Wellness & Spa
7,460 sq. m Pavilion D: Professional Hair, Nail & Tools
5,300 sq. m Pavilion E: Looks Mainstage & Expo

Number of Exhibitors: 760 exhibitors + 15% on 2003

Geographical Origin of Exhibitors: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Mexico, Pakistan, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

National and Group Pavilions: China, France, Germany, Jordan, Israel, Italy, Spain, Taiwan

Number of Visitors: 25,000 beauty and wellness experts

Buyers delegations sponsored by Organizers from Canada and Venezuela

Education: 80+ classes over 3 days

Press: 250+ domestic and international press representatives